What is Prescription Drug Addiction Treatment?
Approximately 52 million Americans age 12 or older had used prescription medications in a non-medical manner at some point in their lives. Many had slowly become dependent. Some people didn’t even notice when they shifted from recreational drug abuse to addiction, but the consequences are always severe when dependence is present. From there, a drug and alcohol detox, followed by inpatient drug abuse therapy and support groups, can offer relief.
Prescription medications intend to manage pain and discomfort of the user’s conditions. Individuals with medical conditions like cancer or asthma or mental health conditions like anxiety or depression use prescription medications to control feelings of a happy life.
What happens when you become addicted to prescription drugs?
While those who use prescription medications may think that prescription drug abuse is okay, it can cause severe consequences. First, you may find that you’re unable to control your use of the drugs, and you may end up taking more than prescribed, which can lead to dangerous side effects and even overdose.
Abusing prescription drugs can cause serious health problems. They can be harmful to your body and cause nausea, anxiety, depression, liver problems, heart problems and more. Those who abuse prescription drugs require the help of a prescription drug addiction treatment center to recover.
GET HELP TODAY
Don’t go through the process of recovery alone. There are people who can help you with the struggle you’re facing. Get in touch with one today.
CHECK INSURANCE
If you have coverage of any kind from a major insurance provider, your treatment is likely covered. We promise to keep your information confidential.
Understanding Prescription Drugs
The most common addictive prescription medications of concern are grouped into three categories. All medications lumped in each category work equally and present the same sorts of benefits.
These three varieties of prescription drugs that rehab treatment specialists keep close tabs on, includes:
- Benzodiazepines - Alprazolam (Xanax), clonazepam (Klonopin), and diazepam (Valium) are three samples of benzodiazepines, a sedative medication that helps with panic attacks, anxiety, and sleep problems. They work great and are safer than barbiturates. But when abused, and even taken as directed, they can cause prescription drug addiction. Sudden discontinuation of these medications can be dangerous.
- Stimulants - Someone who has prescription drug stimulant amphetamines like Mydayis, Adderall, Adderall XR, and Dextroamphetamine use them to help with ADHD. But these medications are also common for drug abuse as some people use them to get high, boost their alertness and energy, or lose weight. Stimulants are a wildly addictive prescription drug —higher doses cause danger in irregular heartbeat, elevated body temperature, and possibly cardiac arrest.
- Painkillers (Opioids) - Prescription painkillers usually contain opioid hydrocodone and acetaminophen. Opioid use causes drowsiness and constipation. Higher doses can cause hazardous breathing problems. If you were taking painkillers, suddenly stopped, and now you experience flu-like symptoms, you may have experienced opioid dependence from them.
Prescription medications must not be shared. They are only for the person who they were prescribed for. Additionally, discontinuing the use of these medications suddenly is dangerous.
For those who have trouble sleeping, prescription drugs like Ambien, Lunesta, and Senada can help people rest. But if these medications are used longer than the doctor suggests, there’s a chance of drug abuse and becoming dependent on them. Practicing a sleep regimen is the best way to treat sleeping difficulties. Although sleep medication is not as addictive as some other prescription drugs, doctors have shown concern about sleeping pills being abused if not taken as prescribed.
What are Prescription Opioid Drugs?
Prescription painkillers are a form of prescription drugs that are found naturally in opium poppy plants. Some prescription drugs like opioids come from the plant directly, and others are made in labs using the same chemical composition. Opioids are usually taken as medicines due to their ability to relax the body and relieve pain. Prescription opioids are primarily used to treat moderate to severe pain, but some opioids treat coughing and diarrhea. Opioid use gives users the feeling of being relaxed, which is how they become abused for non-medical reasons. Opioids are extremely dangerous because they are highly addictive, prescription drug abuse, overdose and death are shared among users.
Heroin is the most hazardous opioid prescription drug globally and is never used as a medicine in the US. Common prescription opioids include:
• Codeine
• Fentanyl
• Oxymorphone (Opana)
• Morphine (Kadian, Avinza)
• Hydrocodone (Vicodin) oxycodone (OxyContin, Percocet)
Opioids used to relieve pain are usually safe when taken as prescribed by a doctor, but they can become abused.
Opioid addiction can start by:
• Using opioids in a way or dose other than prescribed
• Using someone else’s opioids
• Using opioid painkillers to get high
Prescription opioids are taken by being swallowed in its traditional form. People who are abusing prescription drugs like opioids will crush the pills or capsules, dissolve the particles in water, inject them, or snort the powder.
Opioids Acting as Gateway Drugs
It is not unusual for people suffering from chronic pain to take a dozen pain pills every day. But taking prescription drugs at this level can come with a hefty financial price. Those who struggle to pay for their prescription medication may seek alternative opioids like Fentanyl or heroin, which are much cheaper than prescription painkillers.
This makes prescription painkillers gateway drugs. Prescription drug addiction treatment specialists have recognized that prescription painkillers have become gateway drugs to fentanyl and heroin use.
GET HELP TODAY
Don’t go through the process of recovery alone. There are people who can help you with the struggle you’re facing. Get in touch with one today.
CHECK INSURANCE
If you have coverage of any kind from a major insurance provider, your treatment is likely covered. We promise to keep your information confidential.
Statistics on Commonly Abused Prescription Drugs in Florida
Opioids- In 2016, fentanyl and heroin drug abuse had been responsible for over 4,000 overdose deaths; but, oxycodone, hydrocodone, morphine, and methadone were also the cause of almost 5,000 deaths.
These prescription drugs have caused many Floridians substance abuse and drug addiction over the last ten years. Although they are highly restricted in Florida now, they are still generally diverted and abused. Statistics of overdose deaths for prescription drug abuse opioids include:
- Morphine was included in 2,040 overdoses and caused 1,338 deaths.
- Oxycodone was included in 1,382 overdoses and caused 723 deaths.
- Hydrocodone was included in 692 overdoses and caused 245 deaths.
- Methadone was included in 499 overdoses and caused 330 deaths.
- Codeine was included in 509 overdoses and caused 87 deaths.
- Tramadol was included in 510 overdoses and caused 144 deaths.
Start Your Recovery Today
Once a patient self-admits drug abuse, wants to seek addiction treatment and is committed to recovery, the next step is to explore all prescription drug addiction treatment options. The length of drug addiction rehab will vary depending on the specific substance abuse taken. Prescription drug addiction treatment will incorporate different practices, which include:
- Detoxification- Normally, the first step of drug abuse rehab will be a medical detox. This is when the addiction treatment staff purges the patient’s body of drugs and alcohol while managing their withdrawal symptoms during the process.
- Behavioral counseling- Group, individual, or family therapy can help patients identify their substance abuse root causes, help prepare mended relationships, and acquire healthy coping skills.
- Medication-assisted treatment- Medication-assisted treatment uses medications to manage withdrawal symptoms, prevent substance abuse relapse, and treat any co-occurring mental health disorders like anxiety or depression.
- Long-term follow-up- This method helps patients maintain sobriety by preventing relapse. Some exercises will include attending online meetings or in-person support groups to help you keep track of your prescription drug abuse recovery.
Is There Any Treatment for Prescription Drug Addiction?
If you are struggling with prescription drug abuse, there is help available. Prescription drug addiction treatment options include inpatient and outpatient programs, and there are many different approaches to addiction treatment tailored to your specific needs.
Some people may need to attend an inpatient program for a brief period to detox from the drugs and then transition to an outpatient program. Others may find that they need to attend an outpatient program for an extended period to achieve and maintain sobriety.
Whatever prescription drug abuse treatment you choose, it is important to stick with it and seek support from friends and family members who can help you stay on track. Substance, particularly opioid withdrawal, can be a challenging experience. Withdrawal symptoms can include sweating, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and muscle aches. People may also experience anxiety or depression as withdrawal symptoms in some cases; Thus the patient would need psychological and medical support throughout the process.
What are the Treatment Methods for Someone Who Abuses Prescription Drugs?
Residential treatment - This form of therapy, also called inpatient rehab, involves living at the facility for 28-90 days or longer. Patients can focus on prescription drug recovery and learn addiction triggers while undergoing intensive treatment.
Partial hospitalization - This form of substance abuse treatment is for patients who require continuous monitoring in a medical setting in a stable environment. These therapy programs typically meet at a prescription drug addiction treatment center for about eight hours a day, allowing patients to return home at night.
Outpatient treatment - This is not a live-in prescription drug addiction treatment program. Outpatient treatment programs are scheduled around the school, work, or other personal obligations. Patients are treated during the day or evening and go home after the sessions are over. The main focus is on substance abuse relapse prevention.
Sober living homes - Residents living in sober home treatment centers usually move in after an intensive prescription drug addiction treatment program. Residents live with other recovering addicts in a supportive and safe environment. Sober living homes are useful for those who have nowhere to go or worried about returning home to an environment that could lead to prescription drug abuse relapse.
Getting Help for Prescription Drug Treatment
Behavioral Health Centers can help if you or a loved one could benefit from prescription drug addiction treatment. Our team of addiction treatment specialists understands the approach needed to assist in kicking an addiction. Do not hesitate any longer and seek prescription drug addiction treatment. Contact us today at Behavioral Health Centers and allow our team to get you the answers you seek to get the help needed.
