Prescription drugs are used by the medical community to help patients manage symptoms and heal their bodies. Many of the drugs contain powerful ingredients that can lead to addiction. Prescription drugs are the second highest form of abuse in the United States, and the epidemic is affecting more young adults and adolescence. They may have a prescription for the drugs, take them from family members or buy them on the street. The most commonly abused prescription drugs are pain killers and psychotropic drugs used to manage mental health conditions.
At AMATA, we realize that no two patients’ addiction experiences are alike. Our goal is to help you start a new chapter by providing you with the tools you need for a successful recovery from prescription drug abuse.
What Prescription Drugs Can Lead to Addiction?
Prescription drug abuse is most common with:
- Stimulants, such as medications used to manage ADHD
- Opioids, which are powerful pain killers
- Depressants that work on the central nervous system, such as medications used for sleep and anxiety
What is Prescription Drug Addiction?
Using prescription drugs in a way that is considered recurring and resulting in adverse consequences is considered addiction. The frequency and amount of the medication that is used varies. A person may abuse the drugs by:
- Taking more than what is prescribed
- Ingesting the drug in an alternate form, such as injecting an oral medication
- Taking drugs that are prescribed to another person
What are the Signs of Prescription Drug Addiction?
Someone who is addicted to prescription drugs may show signs of the problems, such as:
- Losing interest in work, school, family and activities
- Isolating from friends and family
- Using the drug despite loss of job and relationships
- Experiencing sudden issues with health
- Engaging in risky behaviors
What Changes in Behavior May Be Caused by Prescription Drug Addiction?
Anyone is at risk for becoming addicted to today’s most powerful prescription drugs, even those who only take the medications as prescribed. Behavior changes related to prescription drug addiction may include:
- Lying about the amount of drug that is being ingested
- Requesting refills earlier or more frequently than expected
- Becoming defensive about the abuse
- “Drug seeking,” a behavior in which a person uses several physicians for their pain and mental health medications
- Asking others for their prescription drugs
How Does Prescription Drug Addiction Affect the Body?
Prescription drug addiction leads to four main types of physical symptoms:
- Physical dependency in which the brain does not function properly without the drug. This results in withdrawal symptoms that vary by drug.
- Craving the prescription drug, which may involve a person counting down the time to the next dose
- Building a tolerance to the drug that requires higher dosing to alleviate the pain and other symptoms
- Inability to stop using the medication, such as a person who takes a painkiller temporarily and continues using after the pain subsides
Do I Need Professional Help for My Prescription Drug Addiction?
The effects of withdrawing from prescription drugs can be dangerous. If you have been using stimulants, opioids or depressants for a period, work with your physician to develop a safe method for stopping the drug. For those who are addicted to prescription drugs, we encourage you to work with an experienced medical team and counselors who can help you go through detox and rehab.
How Common Is Prescription Drug Addiction?
According to research from the National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics, 16.3 million people misuse prescription drugs each year. Some people begin using prescription drugs to treat a valid medical condition, only to discover that they are unwilling or unable to stop, even after their symptoms subside. Others begin taking drugs recreationally and end up trapped in an endless cycle of addiction once dependency sets in.
Second, only to marijuana, prescription drugs are amongst the most abused drugs in the nation. A person may experience prescription drug addiction by overusing their medications or by trying the drugs on a recreational basis. Because withdrawing from prescription drugs can be life-threatening, we encourage you to contact one of our addiction counselors to learn more about our detox and rehab services.
What Are the Benefits of AMATA Treatment Programs?
AMATA is staffed by a team of experienced physicians and mental health professionals who understand that there’s no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to prescription drug addiction treatment. That’s why we’re dedicated to helping patients design the right treatment plan for their unique needs.
We provide a non-judgmental environment that offers solutions for people at all stages of recovery, including:
- Detox
- Medically Managed Addiction Services
- Adolescent Programs
- Addiction Transitional Care
- Outpatient care
- Relapse Prevention
At AMATA, you’ll find a full range of treatments, ranging from individual therapy and group counseling to 12-step meetings centered around healing from prescription drug addiction behaviors.
Medical Prescription Drug Addiction Treatment Options
Substance abuse disorder is a complex disease that can affect a person physically, emotionally, and mentally. Once dependency sets in, breaking the addiction cycle can involve undergoing withdrawal symptoms that are difficult for the average person to understand.
Detox can be such an intense process that many patients continue using drugs for years largely to avoid it. At AMATA, patients can feel reassured that they will not have to go through their detox journey alone.
Prescription Drug Abuse (For Teens)
Prescription drug abuse can also occur among teens. Unfortunately, access to prescription drugs is much easier for teenagers than most people realize. As reported by a national survey conducted by the DEA, about 17.8% of high school students have taken a prescription drug without a doctor’s permission. Without supervision, this behavior can lead to serious consequences, including severe health issues and addiction.
However, AMATA provides personalized treatment programs designed just for adolescents. By focusing on the sensitive needs of patients between the ages of 13 and 18 years of age, we can provide safe and effective treatment to teens who have a substance use disorder. To learn more about our Adolescent Program, click here.
Schedule a Consultation for Prescription Drug Addiction Treatment Today
If you or someone you know is struggling with prescription drug addiction, don’t hesitate to contact the team at AMATA today. By placing a high priority on patient health, long-term solutions, and reducing social stigma around drug abuse and addiction, the team at AMATA can be trusted with each patient’s unique experiences. To learn more about our treatment programs, click here or call (888) 682-6282 to reach a team member at our location in Corona, CA, today.