Prescription Drug Addiction Treatment

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Advances in modern medicine have allowed medical professionals to be able to treat conditions much more effectively than in years past. Recent advancements have allowed for better treatment for those experiencing chronic pain, sleep disorders, anxiety, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, and more. Most individuals are able to take their medications responsibly, however, the rise of these medications and the increase in accessibility have also increased the rates of prescription drug abuse and subsequent prescription drug addiction. What may begin as self-medicating may quickly spiral into abuse and addiction. Oftentimes people will begin misusing prescription medications by taking more of their own prescription drug or by using someone else’s prescription in the cabinet.

Who is Affected by Prescription Drug Abuse?

abusing prescription drugs

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, approximately 18 million people have misused prescription medications in the last twelve months. Although prescription drug abuse can affect anyone despite age or demographics, young adults are most at risk for misusing prescription drugs. The elderly population also has a risk due to their rates of chronic diseases and the ways that a prescription drug they already take would interact with drug misuse, whether the misuse is intentional or not. Many individuals are unaware that a prescription drug they take has an interaction with one they take recreationally because the subject of substance abuse is taboo. Therefore, few will mention the substance abuse to their doctor and will continue to use it without knowing the risks of their drug use.

Prescription Opioid Abuse

With the rise of opioid prescriptions such as Oxycontin in the late 1990s and early 2000s,  many individuals began to take these medications at the advice of their trusted doctors and physicians, unaware of the addictive properties of the drugs. When efforts to limit prescriptions for opioid painkillers began, many found themselves unsure of where to turn, with an opioid dependence that made their chronic pain even worse due to the withdrawal symptoms once they were forced to become drug-free. It has become common for these individuals to seek out more than one doctor — sometimes even dozens — in an attempt to continue to treat pain using opioids.

If this population is unable to find doctor-prescribed opioids, it is unfortunately not uncommon for them to turn elsewhere to find the drugs necessary to continue fueling their drug addiction. This can be especially dangerous as individuals who are not undergoing medical supervision while using controlled substances are playing a very dangerous game with their lives. A key characteristic of opioid addiction is seeking higher than prescribed doses because an individual’s tolerance is increasing. It can never be an exact science as to when a certain dose could be a fatal one. Since 1999, almost one million overdose deaths have been caused by prescription opioids being misused. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “overdose deaths involving prescription opioids more than quadrupled from 1999 to 2019.”

Abuse of Prescription Anti-Anxiety Medicine and Sedatives

Similar to prescription opioid addiction, the use of anti-anxiety medicine and/or sedatives without medical supervision can result in an overdose on the medication, which may lead to coma and/or death. Medical emergencies like these when misusing prescription drugs are not uncommon. Also similar to opioids, dependence on these types of prescription drugs can lead to withdrawal symptoms when someone stops using regularly. These withdrawal symptoms can be particularly risky as they can even cause psychosis or seizures if someone is using a high dosage. Other withdrawal symptoms may include increased anxiety and panic, insomnia, shaking, sweating, nausea, or more. Overcoming addiction to prescription drugs on one’s own is not only difficult but can be dangerous. The best practice with the treatment of a substance use disorder, including for those individuals misusing a prescription drug, is to seek treatment in a treatment program that includes a medically supervised detox program.

Drug Abuse of Prescription Stimulants

Prescription stimulants that are often misused are medications for ADHD or narcolepsy. These medications increase alertness or energy, and are sometimes taken by people in an attempt to increase their focus or perform better on a task, such as the trend in the young adult population to take Adderall or Ritalin while studying for an important test in college. Substance abuse related to misusing prescription stimulants can quickly lead to substance use disorders, paranoia, hallucinations, or psychosis– among other effects. Signs of overdose on these types of prescription drugs include seizures, abnormal blood pressure, abnormal heartbeat, and gastrointestinal issues.

Prescription Drug Rehab with Archstone Behavioral Health

In conclusion, prescription drug addiction is a serious mental health issue requiring treatment at a certified prescription drug rehab where individuals are specifically trained to work with drug addictions. Within these treatment centers, such as the centers Archstone Behavioral Health has, there are many treatment options depending on the need of the individual. The staff within our rehab centers are trained to work with prescription drug abuse and can help individuals through the withdrawal process by utilizing medical detox as well as talk therapy. Our therapists use a combination of the most effective therapeutic styles including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Motivational Interviewing. Within our drug rehab centers, an individual is able to thrive by receiving the emotional support they need during their recovery process. Addiction treatment for prescription drug abuse is never easy, however, with our supportive and knowledgeable staff, you or your loved one will feel comfortable and safe knowing that this drug use is finally being treated effectively.

Finding Help Begins at Archstone Behavioral Health

Reaching out for help is your first step in recovering from addiction. Substance use disorder doesn’t happen overnight; recovery also takes time. Give your brain and body time to heal. Reaching out for help is the only way for many people to regain control of their lives. Contact Archstone Behavioral Health in Lantana, FL, today at 561.631.9478 to find out more about whether our alcohol addiction treatment programs are right for you or your loved one.

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