The abuse of prescription drugs, such as opioids and other painkillers has devasted the world. Evidence suggests that more than 40% of the overdose deaths in 2016 in the U.S alone were related to overdose of prescription painkillers. Despite these devastating statistics, the use and abuse of prescription drugs continue in all parts of the world.
Contrary to what most people believe, prescription drug abuse is no less dangerous than addiction to illicit drugs. If you or someone close to you is addicted to the prescribed pills, now is the time to seek help. A prescription drug addiction treatment center can help you overcome this dangerous behavior by taking into account your history of drug use, prior treatment attempts, current health status, and the wants and needs related to the treatment.
Residential Prescription Drug Addiction Treatment Vs. Outpatient Treatment
As you explore the available options for treatment, you will find out that rehab for prescription drugs offers a variety of choices to choose from. One of the important choices to make is whether you wish to go for a residential treatment program or enter treatment as an outpatient client.
Outpatient programs are extremely valuable for recovery; however, these require you to stay at home, potentially amidst various factors that trigger substance abuse. Many people with prescription drug addiction commonly face multiple triggers that incline them towards abusing their medications, despite being actively involved in treatment. Hence, for such people, an inpatient or a residential program is the best treatment choice.
If you are confused about which option to go for, many prescription drug treatment centers offer initial assessments to help you decide. As a part of these assessments, an expert takes a detailed history from you, enquiring about your addiction, how it has affected your life, your current health status, and any co-occurring mental illnesses. Depending on the answers you provide, a treatment plan that best suits your needs is offered to you.
As a part of this assessment, you might be asked whether:
- You keep using prescription drugs despite knowing that they are interfering with your mental and medical health.
- You have been using more of your prescription drugs or for a longer duration than intended.
- Your drug misuse is interfering with your relationships, work, academics, and social obligations.
- You have attempted to give up on your addiction but have failed.
- You have been giving up your favorite hobbies due to your prescription drug addiction.
- You spend a significant amount of time getting refills for your prescription drugs, using them, or recovering from their effects.
- You develop strong cravings for your medications.
- You need to keep increasing the dose of your medications to get the desired results.
- You develop withdrawal symptoms if you reduce the dose or stop taking drugs.
Providing honest answers to the questions mentioned above can help your assessor decide the best prescription drug addiction recovery program tailored to your needs.
Inpatient Prescription Drug Addiction Treatment for Severe Cases of Misuse
If you or a loved one have developed an addiction to the medications prescribed to them for a medical ailment, you may need to seek help from a good residential prescription drug rehab. These rehabilitation centers offer intensive therapy and equip you with the tools needed to live a successful, productive, and happy life in recovery.
The individual experience and the duration of treatment at a prescription drug rehabilitation center vary according to individual client needs. Most people choose to stay in rehab from 4 to 12 weeks, although the duration may extend or shorten depending on how well you respond to treatment. After completing treatment, a team of experts proposes a plan for prolonged aftercare once you leave the facility. This aftercare program includes relapse prevention or outpatient counseling for sustained recovery. Additionally, clients are also encouraged to keep participating in support groups to seek help from peers that can help them fight addiction triggers on a day-to-day basis.
Frequently asked questions
Why do people abuse prescription drugs?
The risk of abusing prescription drugs increases the longer you take a particular medication. There are multiple reasons why people fall victim to this preventable type of addiction. For example, the opioid epidemic occurred as the doctors continued to prescribe these addictive painkillers without checking whether the patients were forming addictive behaviors. Other common reasons include:
- Tolerance refers to a need to use an increased dose of prescription medication to feel the same effects.
- Euphoria refers to the feelings of happiness and pleasure associated with the use of certain prescription medications, forcing them to keep using these drugs.
- Weight loss to help get in shape quickly.
- Better focus and energy can be achieved by the continuous use of certain medications for ADHD.
Which prescription drugs are commonly abused?
Some of the most commonly used and abused prescription drugs that people become addicted to include:
- Painkillers that can help with pain reduced but are frequently abused to get the euphoria associated with them
- Stimulants that are abused by stimulants and professionals to stay awake for long hours with high focus and concentration
- Antidepressants that slow down the process of brain activity, inducing pleasurable feelings
What are the consequences of abusing prescription drugs?
Misusing prescription drugs can lead to a series of dangerous health consequences, potential risks of drug addiction and overdose, and even death. Moreover, abusing these drugs can impair judgment and make the sufferers more likely to engage in risky behaviors, such as unprotected sex, that may lead to STDs. Additionally, taking opioids and sedatives can lead to impaired reaction times and thinking abilities, which, while driving, can cause serious vehicle accidents and crashes. If prescription drugs are taken in doses higher than the prescribed amounts, they can lead to the introduction or amplification of certain uncomfortable effects.
What can I expect at a prescription drug detox center?
Detox centers for prescription drugs often begin their treatment programs with a detailed detox process meant to cleanse the body from all chemical residues. Because the process can be highly uncomfortable and risky, it is carried out under constant medical supervision. The process continues for several weeks and often precedes the prescription drug addiction treatment program.
People who undergo detox can expect to develop intense cravings for the relevant drug they are abusing because it has been in their systems for a long time. Additionally, physical withdrawal symptoms, such as nausea, shakiness, anxiety, and sweating, may follow along with other psychological aspects of withdrawal. However, most prescription drug detox centers are well-equipped to help and support their clients through this painful process and make their way to rehabilitation programs for a swift recovery.