Prescription Drug Addiction
One of the fastest grow drug problems in the United States is that of prescription drug addiction. Prescribed by doctors to treat any number of ailments, prescription drugs are both the savior and detriment of the medical treatment community. In the case of opiate painkillers, for example, many will begin using the drug for genuinely legitimate reasons, but will become addicted to the euphoric effects they provide – going on to use them long after the reason they were prescribed has passed. Hopefully, those who become addicted will find a drug rehab program that can help get their life on the right track.
Common Misconceptions about Prescription Drug Addiction
There are a number of potentially dangerous myths about prescription drug use that only work to increase the prevalence of addiction. These misconceptions, which are especially common among young people, include:
- Prescription drugs aren't dangerous. Perhaps the most common misconception about prescription drugs is that they are inherently safer than illicit street drugs. While this fact is technically true when the drugs are taken as directed, these substances become highly toxic when they are misused or abused.
- Prescription drugs aren't addictive. In the case of opiate-based drugs, many recovering addicts have said that trying to quit OxyContin or Vicodin was in many ways just as hard as defeating heroin addiction.
- Prescription drugs aren't powerful. Don't be fooled – prescription drugs are potent. And when they are abused or taken in higher-than-recommended doses it makes them even more dangerous.
What are most Common Prescription Drug Addictions?
According to recent surveys, the following represent the most common prescription drug addictions in the United States:
- Vicodin addiction – the most commonly used prescription opiate in the world.
- OxyContin addiction – a powerful time-release opiate that becomes very dangerous when abused (and all the active ingredients are ingested at once)
- Amphetamine addiction – a stimulant commonly used by students or young people seeking to stay up all night and party
- Xanax addiction and Valium addiction – depressant sleeping pills that have been abused by women of all ages for decades
- Adderall addiction – a stimulant used to help children focus in school, and is now a drug of choice among young people seeking a euphoric rush.
How do People Acquire Prescription Drugs?
There are several key avenues that individuals will use in order to obtain prescription drug, including:
- "Doctor shopping" – In this instance, the individual will visit several doctors and lie about their condition in order to receive additional supplies of the drug.
- Stealing from friends and family – It is a common refrain among recovering addicts – they confess to stealing meds out of the medicine cabinets of friends and family.
- From a drug dealer – Many dealers have moved out of the illicit street drug business and into the business of trafficking stolen prescription medications.
- The Internet – Currently the number one source for acquiring medications illegally, the Internet is filled with illicit pharmacies that will ship meds to individuals around the world (many of whom do not even have a valid prescription).
Treating Prescription Drug Addiction with Drug Rehab
The most common method for treating prescription drug addiction is drug rehab. A qualified drug rehab facility is well-equipped to treat both the physical and psychological addiction to prescription medication. The details regarding these treatments vary according to the type of drug in question, but three elements remain constant for almost all of them: detox, counseling and aftercare.
- Detox. Drug detox helps individuals overcome their physical addiction to drugs. The detox process can be a challenging one, as the individual will experience a series of uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms as their body adjusts to the lack of drugs in the system. This is an important process, however, and one that paves the way for the remainder of addiction treatment.
- Counseling. Individual and group counseling address the psychological aspect of drug addiction. During these sessions, the individual will learn a number of important things about their behavior, including:
- What are the root causes of the addiction (stresses at home, past physical abuse, a genetic history, etc.)
- What are the triggers in everyday life that bring about the addictive behavior
- How can the individual make better decisions, or respond to stress and anxiety in such a way that they will be less likely to turn to drugs.
- Aftercare. Aftercare programs help the individual adjust to life in the "outside world" by offering continued counseling and support so that the recovering addict continues to utilize the tools they acquired during prescription drug rehab.
Signs and Symptoms of Prescription Drug Addiction
There are several signs of prescription drug addiction that are unique to this particular form of substance abuse. Because individuals are unlikely to admit they have a problem, family and friends should be aware of the following symptoms:
- Severe mood swings
- Depression and anxiety
- Sleeplessness and restlessness
- Secretive behavior or isolation from friends and family
- Stealing money or committing crimes to support a drug habit
- Stealing medications from friends and family
Anyone with a loved one who has exhibited one or more of these symptoms should contact a professional interventionist or a drug rehab facility immediately.
Located in Palm Springs, California Michael's House is a luxury drug rehab facility that treats individuals who have become addiction to prescription medications. Through a comprehensive program that includes detox, counseling and aftercare, Michael's House is able to engage in a "whole body" approach to addiction treatment that enhances the mind, body and spirit of the addict. Contact Michael's House today for more information.
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