Prescription Drug Detoxification
Questions About Treatment?
Our knowledgeable team is ready to discuss your situation and options. Your call is confidential with no obligation required.
Overview
Prescription drugs are designed for medical uses and can treat various conditions; however, many prescription medications can be addictive. If someone becomes addicted to prescription medication, detoxing is the first step to recovery. Detoxing gets the drug out of the body’s system. Prescription drug detox centers can help make the detox process more comfortable and safer if any serious withdrawal side effects occur.
Prescription Drug Definitions
Prescription drugs are substances that can only be obtained with a prescription from a physician. They are prescribed as a cure, mitigation, prevention, or treatment of a medical condition. After a physician writes a prescription, it can be bought and picked up through a pharmacy. Moreover, FDA regulations protect consumers when purchasing prescription drugs since they can be addictive or have adverse side effects.1
Prescription Drugs List
Many types of prescription drugs can treat a variety of medical conditions. While medications do help treat medical issues, many people are at risk for prescription drug abuse due to the effects when such substances are misused or taken at higher dosages. Some of the common medications that have a higher risk of leading to addiction include:
- Stimulant drugs: Adderall, Ritalin, Concerta
- Benzodiazepines: Xanax, Klonopin, Librium, Valium, Ativan
- Opioids: OxyContin, Vicodin, codeine, morphine
Someone can become dependent on any of these drugs if they misuse the substance or abuse it for a long period. Additionally, substance abuse can be the cause of developing a mental health issue. A dual diagnosis treatment program can help those with comorbid conditions and prescription drug detoxification will be the first step of the process.
Prescription Drug Use Statistics
Unfortunately, many medications that are designed and prescribed to help people can also have the potential for abuse, leading to many negative side effects. Statistics show that millions of people use prescription drugs, proving just how dangerous these substances can be if they are misused.
According to the National Center for Drug Abuse, approximately 6% of Americans over the age of twelve abuse prescriptions every year. It was found that four out of five prescriptions that are filled are opioids, and 11.3% of people who are prescribed opioid painkillers misuse them.2
Prescription drug addiction can negatively affect someone’s life in many ways, but remember that help for prescription drug addiction is available. No one has to go through the recovery journey alone. If you or someone you know is showing signs of addiction, prescription drug detox centers can diagnose the issue and help a person recover.
Prescription Drug Addiction
Prescription drug addiction is dangerous and can lead to many negative side effects on someone’s health and well-being. A number of signs and symptoms can point to a prescription drug addiction. Rehab for prescription drug addiction is effective and can help someone avoid many of the negative consequences associated with substance abuse.
Statistics on Addiction
Prescription drug abuse is prevalent around the world and affects millions of lives every year. Prescription drugs addiction statistics show how dangerous abuse of these drugs can be.
Stimulant Addiction Statistics
- In 2020, 5.1 million people reported misusing prescription stimulants.
- An estimated 758,000 people had a prescription stimulant use disorder in 2020.
- An estimated 1.8% of students in eighth grade and higher reported misusing Adderall.3
Sedative Addiction Statistics
- In 2020, 6.2 million people reported misusing prescription sedatives.
- About 1.2 million people had a prescription sedative use disorder in 2020.
- Approximately 1.8% of twelfth-grade students reported misusing barbiturates (sedatives).3
Benzodiazepine Addiction Statistics
- About 4.8 million people reported misusing benzodiazepines in 2020.
- In 2019, 9,711 people died from an overdose involving benzodiazepines.3
Opioid Addiction Statistics
- Approximately 9.3 million people reported misusing prescription opioids.
- About 2.3 million people had an opioid use disorder in 2020.
- In 2019, 14,139 people died from an overdose involving prescription opioids.3
Signs and Symptoms of Prescription Drug Addiction
As you can see from the above statistics, these substances can be very addictive and lead to many negative effects. That is why it is essential to look for prescription drug addiction symptoms if you believe you or a loved one are struggling with addiction. Common signs and symptoms include:4
- Agitation
- Anxiety
- Confusion
- Drowsiness
- Financial difficulties
- Irritability
- Nausea
- Poor coordination
- Problems at work or school
- Relationship problems
- Slowed breathing
- Trouble sleeping
- Withdrawing from social activities
If you or someone you know show any of these signs of addiction, help is available. Prescription drug rehab programs can help anyone through the detox process so they can get on the right track to recovery.
Prescription Drug Addiction Consequences
Prescription drug side effects and consequences can be serious and even life-threatening. Consequences of prescription drug abuse include:
- Changes in brain chemistry
- Financial problems
- Legal trouble
- Long-term health problems
- Overdose deaths
- Problems at work, school, and in relationships
Prescription drug addiction can affect someone’s life in many ways, but the right treatment program can help someone overcome this disorder and repair many of the negative life effects.
Prescription Drug Detoxification
One of the first steps in the recovery process is prescription drug detoxification. Prescription drug detox center helps in every step of the way to make recovery as safe and comfortable as possible.
Prescription Drug Detox at Home
While it is possible to do a prescription drug detox at home, this type of detox is usually not recommended by medical professionals. Detoxing at home can lead to many adverse and, at times, dangerous symptoms.
If you want to go through a detox at home, the best option would be a medically supervised at-home program or an outpatient program through a prescription drug detox center. Having medical professionals immediately available during the process is important since withdrawal symptoms can be serious and even life-threatening.
At-Home Detoxification Dangers
The main danger of at-home medical drug detox is that serious or life-threatening effects may occur when immediate medical care is not available. Another danger of detoxing at home is that there is a higher chance of relapsing. Prescription drug rehab centers provide a stable environment with a solid support system. However, if you detox at home, there is no support system to lean on, thereby increasing the chance of a relapse.
Medically Supervised Prescription Drug Detoxification
Medically supervised detox programs can be found at prescription drug detox centers. Some medical professionals can also be hired to stay at the patient’s home during the process. While hiring an at-home medical professional may sound like the more comfortable option, it comes at a higher cost. Nevertheless, it is important to have medical supervision during the detox process to ensure the utmost safety and comfort.
Inpatient Prescription Drug Detoxification
Inpatient prescription drug addiction rehab involves staying at a treatment center for a duration of time. It allows individuals to go through the detox and begin the recovery process in a stable environment away from temptations.
Outpatient Prescription Drug Detoxification
Outpatient prescription drug rehab may also be available for those with a less severe addiction who want to continue living at home. An outpatient detox and rehab program will require attending a treatment center at designated times throughout the week.
Cost of Treatment for Prescription Drug Detoxification
The cost of treatment will vary depending on the treatment center, the severity of the addiction, and the level of treatment needed. There are also government medical grants to help those who cannot afford drug treatment or alcohol treatment.
Prescription Drug Detox Withdrawal Symptoms and Side Effects
When going through the detox process, a person is likely to experience withdrawal symptoms and side effects. Withdrawal symptoms can range from uncomfortable to life-threatening. With proper medical support, prescription drug detox centers can help make the withdrawal process as safe and comfortable as possible.
Prescription Drug Detox Side Effects
Common Side Effects
Common detox side effects that may occur include:6
- Anxiety
- Dilated pupils
- Fatigue
- Increased heart rate
- Irritability
- Muscle and joint aches
- Nausea
- Shaking
- Sweating
Severe Side Effects
At times, severe side effects can occur, including:
- Extremely increased heart rate or breathing
- Hallucinations
- Intense paranoia, confusion, or disorientation
- Seizures
- Tremors
Severe side effects can be dangerous or even life-threatening; however, medical professionals at treatment centers are trained to manage side effects and keep each person safe during the detox process.
Prescription Drug Detox Centers Near Houston
If you are looking for a prescription drug detox center near Houston, Texas, Great Oaks Recovery Center can help.
Great Oaks’ Prescription Drug Rehab Center
Great Oaks offers prescription drug rehab services to help you heal. At Great Oaks, evidence-based methods are used for all treatment practices to ensure you receive the best results. Great Oaks employs highly trained medical professionals that will be available around the clock, keeping you comfortable and safe during the detox process.
Prescription drug addiction can affect someone’s life in many ways, so a prescription drug addiction treatment program can help repair many of these negative life effects.
Individual Counseling
Along with detoxing, individualized counseling will also be available when you receive treatment at Great Oaks. Individual counseling allows you to talk to a certified addiction counselor one-on-one to work on issues related to the addiction. Counseling will provide you with the skills needed to cope with the stresses of life without the use of substances and help you create a long-term plan for success and sobriety.
Group Therapy
Group therapy services are also available as part of the rehab program. Group therapy provides a sense of community and allows you to share and learn as part of a group. Group therapy can help build a support system of people working towards the same goal. In this way, you do not feel like you have to go through it alone.
Resources
- https://www.fda.gov/drugs/questions-answers/prescription-drugs-and-over-counter-otc-drugs-questions-and-answers
- https://drugabusestatistics.org/prescription-drug-abuse-statistics/
- https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/research-reports/misuse-prescription-drugs/what-scope-prescription-drug-misuse
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/prescription-drug-abuse/symptoms-causes/syc-20376813
- https://www.webmd.com/connect-to-care/addiction-treatment-recovery/prescription/signs-of-prescription-drug-withdrawal
Questions About Treatment?
Our knowledgeable team is ready to discuss your situation and options. Your call is confidential with no obligation required.