Even though you may not believe it, the use of prescription drugs is on the rise and can lead to addiction. Teenagers, middle-aged people, and seniors are susceptible to becoming addicts; however, seniors are more likely to develop prescription drug addictions because they consume prescription medication most frequently.
Since prescription drugs are prescribed a doctor, you may feel that prescription drug abuse differs from street drug abuse. Little do you know that prescription drug addicts are still addicts and should seek out the proper prescription drug rehab options.
If you are a prescription drug addict, you use prescription drugs to get high. You depend on prescription drugs to feel better. Between doses, you may experience cravings and withdrawals. When you experience withdrawals, you might have relationship difficulties and problems, problems at school and/or work, and are at risk of causing physical harm to yourself.
Common Prescription Drug Addictions
Some of the most commonly taken prescription drugs are:
- Xanax
- Vicodin, Lorcet, Lortab
- OxyContin, Percocet, Percodan, Tylox
- Klonopin
- Darvocet , Darvon
- Ativan
- Soma
- Valium
Signs Prescription Drug Treatment is Needed
You may exhibit some of the following signs if you are a prescription drug addict:
- Lack of interest in treatment options
- Mood swings/erratic behavior
- See several doctors to get more pills
- Experience panic attacks and anxiety
- Using more than the recommended amount of the medication
- Using prescription pills prescribed for other people
- Not willing to seek out Prescription Drug Rehab Options
Why You Need Prescription Drug Rehabilitation
Prescription drugs change the brain’s chemistry in the same way that illicit drugs do, making it less effective at producing dopamine or endorphins. Thus, if you take prescription pills excessively, you may experience the following symptoms once you stop:
- Anxiety and depression
- Insomnia or sleeping too much
- Bad temper, loss of interest in work, family and friends
- Medicate to stop withdrawal symptoms
Prescription Drug/Alcohol Interactions
Combining prescription drugs with other prescription drugs or alcohol can be fatal. For instance, consuming alcohol and prescription drugs or painkillers simultaneously may affect the central nervous system and lead to respiratory problems and in some cases death.
Help and Treatment – Prescription Drug Rehab Options
A prescription drug rehab center can assist you with prescription drug addiction treatment. If you check into an inpatient facility, you will be monitored closely 24 hours a day. However, exploring all prescription drug rehab options is necessary before you may make your final decision.
Prescription Drug Rehabilitation and Recovery: Staying on the Straight Arrow
After you have gone through the detoxification process, close monitoring and follow-up care are essential to successful recovery. Treatment and therapy can include individual therapy, group therapy, or the 12-step program such as attending Narcotics Anonymous.
Prescription Drug Rehab Options
When researching prescription drug rehab options, you will have a number of factors to consider as each facility offers different services and has different philosophies. Consider the following list when researching the all of the prescription drug rehab options to find the program that is best suited for you.
- Outpatient Prescription Drug Rehab Options
Outpatient rehab facilities offer addiction treatment through day and/or evening programs. Outpatient rehab schedule is less regimented than inpatient rehab, but still requires you to attend class and/or group counseling. You might spend time in personal therapy, support groups, outside 12-step meetings, and have random drug testing done to ensure you remain sober.
- Inpatient Prescription Drug Rehab Options
Inpatient rehab is for patients that have severe prescription drug addictions. Each inpatient center provides 24-hour continued support with onsite staff – doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals. Inpatient drug rehab enables you to remove yourself from the environment that enabled you to develop and continue drug abuse. Separation from that toxic environment enables you to focus on your own sobriety.
- Aftercare Treatment and Prescription Drug Rehab Options
It does not matter whether you select an inpatient or outpatient facility, aftercare support is usually available and equally important. After you graduate from the program, you will be able to keep in touch with the staff via the telephone and face-to-face appointments.
Exploring all prescription drug rehab options is essential. Selecting the right drug rehab program for you depends on your specific situation. An inpatient facility may not be the right program for you if you must maintain work and family obligations, while attending an outpatient rehab program may provide you with similar support that an inpatient center provides, but provides the flexibility you need to meet family and work obligations and prepare you for sober living.
