Prescription drug addiction treatment

How prescription drugs can lead to addiction
Prescriptions do not discriminate

Prescription drug abuse is the misuse of prescription medication in a way not intended by the prescribing doctor. Over time, prescription drug abuse can lead to addiction. For those who are struggling with this addiction, professional help is crucial. A prescription drug addiction treatment program can help individuals and their loved ones heal from the effects of substance use disorder. At Lakeview Health, our specialized program offers support and structure for those who are ready to take their lives back from addiction.

Prescription drug addiction does not discriminate and does affect all age groups, but it is increasingly more common in young people. The prescription drugs most often abused include opioid painkillers, sedatives, anti-anxiety medications, and stimulants.

Early identification of prescription drug abuse and early intervention may prevent the problem from turning into an addiction. However, no matter where you are in your journey to recovery, when you’re ready to get the help you need, reach out to the substance abuse treatment center at Lakeview Health.

Signs & symptoms of prescription drug abuse
Whether its pain or anxiety prescriptions

Signs and symptoms of prescription drug abuse depend on the specific drug. There is a wide variety of prescription drugs that have the potential for abuse.

Opioids, including oxycodone (Oxycontin, Roxicodone) and hydrocodone (Vicodin, Lortab, Norco), are used to treat pain. While opioids are highly effective at treating pain, they also have a high potential for abuse. Opioid addiction treatment can be necessary if an individual displays any of the following:

Anti-anxiety medications and sedatives, including benzodiazepines like alprazolam (Xanax) and diazepam (Valium) and hypnotics such as zolpidem (Ambien), are used to treat anxiety or sleep disorders. Some of the signs and symptoms of benzo addiction include:

Slowed breathing
Dizziness
Poor concentration
Unsteady walking
Drowsiness
Memory problems

Stimulants, including methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta), dextroamphetamine, amphetamine (Adderall XR and Vyvanse), and dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine), are used to treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and certain sleep disorders. Stimulants can have these signs and symptoms of abuse:

Why do people abuse prescription drugs?

People abuse prescription drugs for many reasons, such as:

Many people fear that they may become addicted to medications prescribed for medical conditions, such as painkillers prescribed after surgery. However, people who take potentially addictive drugs as prescribed don’t often abuse them or become addicted. There are several factors that can make it more likely that someone will develop an addiction to prescription medications, including environmental and genetic factors. Some of these include:

Prescription drug abuse in older adults is a growing problem, especially when they combine drugs with alcohol. Having multiple health problems and taking multiple drugs can put seniors at risk of misusing drugs or becoming addicted.

 

Prescription drug addiction statistics in the United States

The effects of prescription drug addiction

Abusing prescription drugs can cause a number of problems. Prescription drugs can be especially dangerous and can even lead to death when taken in high doses, when combined with other prescription drugs or certain over-the-counter medications, or when taken with alcohol or illegal drugs.

Physical risks
Medical consequences of abusing prescription drugs

Signs of opiate abuse can include low blood pressure, a slowed breathing rate, and potential for breathing to stop, or a coma. Opiate addiction also has a high risk of overdose, which can be fatal.

Sedatives and anti-anxiety medications can cause memory problems, low blood pressure, and slowed breathing. An overdose can cause coma or death. Abruptly stopping the medication may cause withdrawal symptoms that can include nervous system hyperactivity and seizures.

Stimulants can cause dangerously high body temperature, heart problems, high blood pressure, seizures or tremors, hallucinations, aggressiveness, and paranoia.

The effects on the brain
Physical dependence and addiction

Because commonly abused prescription drugs activate the brain’s reward center, it’s possible to develop physical dependence and addiction.

Physical dependence (also called tolerance) is the body’s response to long-term use. People who are physically dependent on a drug may need higher doses to get the same effects and may experience withdrawal symptoms when cutting back or abruptly stopping the drug. These

People who are addicted to a drug can have a physical dependence, but they also compulsively seek the substance and continue to use it even when that drug makes their lives worse.

Other potential consequences include:

What to expect
Residential treatment for prescription drug addiction at Lakeview

At Lakeview Health, we offer a prescription drug addiction treatment program designed specifically for individuals who are struggling with this disease. Our recovery center is a non-hospital setting, which means that you’ll find comfortable residences, lounge areas, and rooms for group and individual therapy. Our approach to prescription drug addiction treatment involves personalized treatment plans. No two patients are the same, and during an initial assessment, we’ll determine which therapies, interventions, and services will best meet your needs.

Some of the therapies and services we offer include:

These therapies are designed to help patients develop healthy coping skills to avoid relapse in the future. Additionally, we can help those who are struggling with both prescription drug addiction and co-occurring mental health issues like anxiety and depression through our dual diagnosis programs. Addressing both conditions simultaneously can lead to long-term positive outcomes.

How our treatment works
Levels of care for prescription drug recovery

We offer a full continuum of care in our center. We recommend that patients go through detox in the safety of our treatment center, where they’ll have both medical and emotional support during these challenging early days of recovery. Withdrawal symptoms vary but can be severe enough that they can tempt some individuals to relapse. However, at Lakeview Health, patients can start recovery with a strong foundation.

After detox, residential treatment is often the next step. During residential treatment programs, patients have 24/7 support and participate in therapy and activities during the day to help them begin to work through the underlying causes of addiction. After completing a residential treatment program, patients can begin outpatient treatment, where they can live at home or in a sober living residence while participating in ongoing treatment.

Reach out to Lakeview Health today

Millions of people are affected by this epidemic, from young adults to the elderly. If you or someone you love is suffering from prescription drug abuse, Lakeview Health can help. In our center, you’ll find compassionate support, evidence-based interventions, and a welcoming, healing environment. Our goal is to help our patients make lasting changes in their lives.

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