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COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. -- It is an addiction that can affect anyone at anytime.

Over the past decade, prescription drug abuse and addiction has taken its toll on celebrities, athletes and average Americans.

Recently, prescription medications have also become popular with teens, who are looking to use the drugs at parties.

In light of those trends, the U.S. Army is now stepping up their efforts to protect soldiers.

Their approach: education and random drug testing.

"The initiative is to expand what we are already testing in prescription drugs, we have always tested for codeine and oxycodone," Kim Henry, the Army Substance Abuse Program Manager with Fort Carson, said.

Henry said each test will now also look for hydrocodone and hydromorphone, two painkillers often found in vicodin and other brand-name drugs.

"Our program is designed to be preventative, meet missions and ensure our soldiers are ready," she said.

And not just ready for war, but life at home following a deployment.

According to the Army Gold Book, a manual on health and discipline in the Army, between October 2006 and October 2011 there were 312 drug toxicity deaths, the result of high-risk behavior.

Of those, 68 percent involved a prescription medication.

"A lot of times they do not see it as an issue because it is a prescribed drug for them," Licensed Professional Counselor Beverly Hawpe said. "I do believe prescription drug abuse is on the rise."

Hawpe has 30 years of experience working with addiction.

She said for some people, prescription drugs are taken for recreational purposes, but for others, the addiction starts with a physical injury.

"Of course as they continue over a period of time, their tolerance increases, and they use more and more, that is when the addiction process starts," Hawpe said.

In time she said an addict may also start combining the drug with another substance, such as alcohol, to achieve the desired effect.

"It is a feeling of dullness all around them, which is the feeling they want to achieve," Hawpe said.

With all the recent talk of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Traumatic Brain Injuries in the military, it is no wonder the Army is taking initiative to ensure their men and women are safe and healthy.

"Any system or process needs to change with the times, and the times are we have soldiers with injuries that need a prescription drug that is a narcotic, so we need to check and make sure they are using it properly, and make sure other people are not using someone else's drugs," Henry said.

Henry said the expanded testing will be underway at Fort Carson by the end of the month - another piece of defense in their battle against drug abuse and addiction.

"Can we get them to make a better choice, and continue on with the mission?" Henry said.

She said each soldier is required to undergo one random drug test per year.

That is apart from any additional tests that may be ordered by their commanders.

To learn more about controlled prescriptions click here.