What is Prescription Drug Addiction Rehab?

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Prescription Drug Addiction Statistics

According to the National Center for Drug Abuse, prescription drugs are the third most abused illegal substance in the U.S. 16.3 million Americans misuse prescriptions each year. 4 out of 5 pharmacy-filled prescriptions are opioids, accounting for 43% of prescription drug misuse. These statistics show that addiction to prescription drugs is serious and very prevalent in the U.S. If you or someone you know is struggling with a prescription medication addiction, there are resources available that can help.¹

What Makes Prescription Drugs Addictive?

When someone takes a prescription drug for an extended period or misuses it by taking it at high doses, the body will begin to adapt to having drugs in its system. Prescription drug misuse can build a tolerance to a drug that requires higher doses to be taken to receive the same effects, or dependence may form on the substance that makes someone feel like they can’t function normally without taking it. When someone takes a prescription drug at high doses for a long period, they will develop an addiction to prescription drugs.

Opioids

Opioids are among the most highly prescribed types of prescription drugs in the U.S. Millions of people will receive prescriptions for opioid painkillers each year. While opioid painkillers have many medical uses, they can also be highly addictive if misused or abused. Taking prescription opioids for a long period can also lead to dependence and a higher likelihood of prescription medication addiction.

Central Nervous System (CNS) Depressants

Sedatives and tranquilizers are also prescription drugs that may be highly abused. CNS depressant medications include benzodiazepines, barbiturates, and certain sleep medications. While many of these medications have positive medical uses, they’re usually only recommended to be taken for a short period to avoid developing an addiction to prescription drugs.

Stimulants

Prescription stimulants such as Adderall and Ritalin are also commonly abused substances. Stimulant drugs are often prescribed to treat ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder). However, stimulants are also commonly abused recreationally as a party drug or by students as a study drug.

Prescription Drug Addiction Side Effects, Risk Factors, and Dangers

There are many side effects, risks, and dangers associated with prescription medication addiction. The impact of prescription drug abuse can be dangerous and may have lifelong health consequences.

Signs and Symptoms of Prescription Drug Addiction

If you’re wondering if you or someone you care about is struggling with prescription drug addiction, you can look for common prescription drug addiction symptoms.

Common Signs of Prescription Drug Addiction

Common prescription drug addiction symptoms may differ depending on the type of drug being abused.

Opioids
When someone struggles with prescription opioid addiction, they’ll likely show regular signs of drowsiness, changes in sleep habits, decreased motivation, and an inability to control opioid use. Abuse of opioid painkillers can be common in those who have been prescribed them for injuries or other health conditions. ²

CNS Depressants
When someone takes a CNS depressant at high doses, it will slow down brain activity and produce feelings of drowsiness and relaxation. Common signs that someone is addicted to CNS depressants are drowsiness, slurred speech, confusion or disorientation, reduced inhibitions, and dilated pupils. ³

Stimulants
When someone struggles with stimulant addiction, they may appear more shaky, jittery, or on edge. Increased feelings of paranoia or anxiety may also occur because of stimulant addiction.

Prescription Drug Addiction Rehab

If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction to prescription drugs, rehab for prescription drug addiction can help.

What Is Prescription Drug Addiction Rehab?

Rehab for prescription drug addiction involves detox, therapy, and working on life skills to cope with the stresses of life without the use of drugs and alcohol. During rehab, you’ll go through a prescription drug recovery program that will help you detox and get the drugs out of the body’s system while working with treatment professionals to build skills that will help you maintain sobriety and get back to everyday life.

Prescription Drug Addiction Rehab Programs

If you’re looking for prescription drug addiction treatment, many rehab programs are available that can help. Deciding on the right type of rehab program will depend on the individual’s needs and the type and severity of the addiction.

Prescription Drug Addiction Rehab Programs

If you’re looking for prescription drug addiction treatment, many rehab programs are available that can help. Deciding on the right type of rehab program will depend on the individual’s needs and the type and severity of the addiction.

Prescription Drug Detox
Detox is one of the first steps in a prescription drug addiction treatment program. The detox process will help you get the drugs out of the body’s system to begin focusing on recovery. During detox, you’ll likely experience withdrawal symptoms that range from uncomfortable to severe. Due to the severity of some withdrawal symptoms, it’s recommended that you get a medically supervised detox at a drug detox center to ensure you are as safe and comfortable as possible during this process.

Inpatient Treatment
Inpatient treatment involves staying at a treatment center for a duration of time while working through a treatment program. During inpatient treatment, you’ll have around-the-clock medical attention available, and you’ll be in a safe and structured environment that will help you focus on recovery.

Outpatient Treatment
Outpatient treatment can also be a good option for those who have less severe addictions or who don’t want to leave behind work or family responsibilities while receiving prescription drug addiction treatment. Outpatient treatment will require you to report to a treatment center at designated times throughout the week while working through a recovery program. Outpatient treatment isn’t for everyone since it requires additional accountability to keep going to treatment sessions and self-manage your recovery at times.

Behavioral Therapy
Some form of behavioral therapy is common in most addiction treatment programs. During behavioral therapy, you’ll work with your therapist to develop skills for managing your addiction and work on any underlying conditions that may be causing the addiction to occur.

Medication
Medications may also be used during treatment to help manage withdrawal symptoms or prevent relapse. Medications used during treatment have been scientifically studied and have shown to get positive results during addiction treatment. ⁴