Follow the Trend: Batman Shooter James Holmes Was On Hardcore Pharmaceutical DrugsAnthony Gucciardi In Holmes case, they happen to be the very same drugs that ultimately led to the early death of actor Heath Ledger. With a fix for altering his state of mind, the Batman shooter was heavily hooked on the prescription painkiller Vicodin. Holmes even reportedly dosed up on a pharmaceutical cocktail just before the shooting. Side effects of Vicodin use, even at recommended levels which Holmes likely far exceeded, include altered mental states and unusual thoughts or behavior. While also abusing the same prescription pharmaceuticals as Heath Ledger (who played The Joker in a previous Batman), Holmes actually told police that he was The Joker. The statements made by Holmes were even curious to many friends and relatives, who said just a year ago Holmes was seen as an all-American boy with an affinity for his family. It appears what changed was the Batman shooters decision to begin altering his mental state with prescription drug abuse. Abuse which may have far extended beyond painkillers and potentially included psychotropic drugs the very same drugs that almost every single massacre shooter have taken. Batman Shooter on Drugs Deadlier than Cocaine, Heroin Combined Prescription painkillers alone have been shown to be even deadlier and more damaging than many illegal drugs. In 2008, more Americans died from pharmaceuticals painkillers than illegal drugs like cocaine and heroin combined. Going even further, statistical analysis reveals that prescription drug deaths outnumber traffic accidents when it comes to fatalities. One reason for this is the change in mental activity, which can potentially lead to destructive and radical behavior. In fact, more than 12 million individuals in the United States reported taking prescription painkillers purely for the high that they cause instead of their intended purpose. As more information comes out on the case, it will likely reveal an increasingly deep history of prescription drug abuse on behalf of Holmes. Just as the Columbine incident continued to develop into a horrific story of drug abuse and an obsession with mind alteration, it appears this case will follow a similar trend. Explore More: You can support this information by voting on Reddit HERE. This article first appeared at Natural Society, an excellent resource for health news and vaccine information. 