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Prescription Drug Abuse

What is Prescription Drug Abuse Rehab?

Just like with alcohol, some of the most commonly abused substances are completely legal. When it comes to pain medications or opiates, many men and women, and even children, say that they started their addiction in their own home by abusing the prescriptions that their doctor’s provided. Others found pills of parents, spouses or other family members and took them. Many prescription medications are very addictive, and even if they do not appear to be causing addiction or drug abuse, they can lead to painful withdrawal when discontinued. A vast majority of individuals who fall victim to prescription drug abuse may not even realize that they are developing a tolerance and a dependence. Unfortunately. many doctors do not know the best ways to treat these addictions or to prevent them. We are the most medicated country in our world, and despite the millions of cases of opiate addiction, the scripts are still being written.

Abusing prescription medications is as common, if not more so, than addiction and abuse of street drugs or alcohol. Prescription drug abuse rehab is where people go to transition from a repetitive self-defeating lifestyle brought about by the emotional, spiritual and physical bondage to a prescription drug(s), into a repetitive self-fulfilling recovering lifestyle brought about by the emotional, spiritual and physical enrichment that emerges from a recovery lifestyle. As with illicit substance treatment, oftentimes medical detox followed by intensive therapy is required to help resume life the way it once was before the drugs first entered your system.

Types of Prescription Drugs

While there are thousands of different prescription substances, the most common classifications that we see as problematic fall into the following categories:

Prescription Stimulants

Typically used to treat ADHD, such as Ritalin or Adderall, stimulants or uppers increase activity in the body. They speed up the mental process, which has become popular especially among college students who abuse them to crunch their work. Meth and Cocaine are types of typical illegal stimulants. Chemically, Adderall is very similar to meth and due to restrictions from the DEA there is a current shortage, leading Adderall users to turn to street meth.

Signs of Abuse Includes:

  • Agitation or Paranoia
  • Reduced Appetite
  • Increased Heart rate
  • Itching

Prescription Opioid Drugs

Opioids are typically intense or potent painkillers, such as morphine or heroin. They are derived from opium poppy plants. Substances such as morphine, heroin or opium are considered to be ‘natural’ opiates, whereas methadone, Percocet, fentanyl and Vicodin are considered synthetic opioids. Opioids are highly addictive and cause severe withdrawal. Opioids are currently responsible for the majority of drug abuse and overdose in America. More than half of all preventable death from drugs involves some kind of opioid. Fentanyl is exceptionally lethal as it is 50-100 times more potent than morphine, and very cheap. Many drug dealers will add fentanyl into their pressed pills to make them more potent, leading to additional risk of death.

Signs of Abuse Include:

  • Euphoria
  • Increased Tolerance
  • Increased Sensitivity to Pain
  • Confusion
  • Poor Coordination
  • Memory Problems

Barbiturates

Barbiturates are typically sedative drugs that treat things such as seizures or insomnia. The body develops a tolerance to these drugs quickly, and withdrawal effects are felt as quickly as 8 hours after the last dose. Mixing barbiturates with other substances, such as alcohol or opiates greatly increases the chance of overdose. One of the more common barbiturates is phenobarbital, a medication to treat epilepsy.

Typical signs of abuse includes:

  • Decreased Consciousness
  • Vertigo
  • Muscle Weakness
  • Slurring Speech

Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines, or benzos are typically prescribed for anxiety disorders or depression. They include prescription drugs such as Valium, Klonopin and Xanax. Discontinuing them is especially dangerous because they can cause permanent chemical changes to the brain. Valium, as an example, is one of the most dangerous drugs to withdraw from, as lethal as alcohol, due to risk of grand mal seizures. Ending a dependency or addiction to benzos, especially Valium requires medical assistance to ensure safety.

Signs of Abuse Include:

  • Feeling Unsteady
  • Memory Issues
  • Slurring
  • Poor Concentration

If you recognize any of these signs in yourself or others, you may have a problem abusing prescription medications and require medical help to safely detox. Because of the high risks of lethal withdrawal symptoms or seizures, it is very imperative to detox with the assistance of trained medical staff such as the men and women at Sound Recovery.

What happens after medical detox from prescription drugs?

Following medical detox at Sound Recovery, guests will begin a comprehensive, collaborative approach to substance abuse treatment designed to support physical, mental and spiritual wellness. We offer a variety of detox options for treating drug addiction beyond just prescription drugs. Our program helps to promote a lasting, sober lifestyle through sobriety and beyond. Our addiction specialists, from our therapists and case managers to our facility staff, are dedicated to providing the best in care and support. Our holistic, evidence-based approach to psychotherapy incorporates individual and group sessions. We use other holistic methods, such as art, music and animal therapy to help our guests to learn to express themselves and communicate. At Sound Recovery, we believe that emotional healing is just as important as physical healing. Our treatment features state-of-the-art activity, movement, and adventure therapies to create one program that treats mind, body, and spirit.

Guests may begin their recovery journey in our residential inpatient program and continue with us through PHP, IOP, OP, and sober living at our graduate housing residences. At Sound Recovery, the guest is always our top priority, and we consistently do all we can to effect lasting change, that they might continue to lead healthy, sober lives long after they have left our care. This is not just our goal, but our mission.

Reach Out

If you or a loved one has a dependency or addiction to prescription drugs, or any substance use disorder, please reach out to us about your detox and treatment options. Royal Life Detox admissions staff is available 24/7 to answer your questions and address your concerns. We can be reached at 888-716-4070. Because We Care.

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