Hidden Dangers of Prescription Drug Addiction

Hidden Dangers of Prescription Drug Addiction
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What are the Most Dangerous Prescription Drug Addictions?

While millions of people have become addicted to stimulants in recent years, currently the most dangerous prescription drug addictions involve opiate based painkillers such as OxyContin and Vicodin. These types of medications, originally prescribed to help the individual cope with pain caused by illness or injury, are abused for their euphoric effects and are incredibly addictive.

What are the Hidden Dangers of Prescription Drugs Addiction?

The following represent three of the most dangerous aspects of prescription drug addiction. Each one can severely damage the individual in its own way and can lead to problems with one’s health, well-being or family unit.

Prescription Drug Dependence

An individual who becomes addicted to prescription drugs can develop a physical and psychological dependence on the drug. That means when the individual attempts to stop taking the drug in question, they will experience physical and emotional withdrawal symptoms. These withdrawal symptoms are not often life-threatening, but can be uncomfortable enough to cause the individual to lapse back into drug use.

Tolerance to Prescription Drugs

The deeper an individual falls into prescription drug addiction, the more likely they are to develop a tolerance to the drugs they are taking. Tolerance to a drug means having to take more and more of it in order to get the desired effect. This is especially prevalent in opiate-based prescription painkillers such as OxyContin and Vicodin. So for example, an individual who has developed a Vicodin addiction may have only needed one or two pills to obtain a euphoric effect when they first starting taking the drug, but as time goes on need several pills at once to get any effect at all.

Prescription Drug Overdose

As many families have found out the hard way, deadly overdose from the use of prescription drugs is common and can strike without warning. Because many of those who become addicted to prescription medications develop a tolerance to the drug (see above) they are taking much more than any doctor would ever prescribe. Even strong, young people have succumbed to accidental overdose of stimulants and opiates. Many people, especially teenagers and adolescents, mistakenly believe that prescription drugs are safer that “street drugs” such as heroin and cocaine. In fact the potential for prescription drug overdose is just as high or higher than for illicit drugs.

Getting Help For Prescription Drug Abuse

When an individual has developed a dependence on a prescription drug (or drugs) it is very important to get that person into drug rehab as soon as possible. Drug rehab programs can help the individual defeat the psychological and physical nature of the condition. Through detoxification, individual counseling, group counseling and aftercare, rehab provides real solutions for living a drug free life. Without rehab, a person who is addicted to medications remains at great risk for the condition mentioned above and more.

Michael’s House is a residential drug treatment facility that helps save the lives of those who become addicted to prescription medication. The highly qualified staff of counselors, detox professionals and aftercare experts all work together to treat every aspect of the individual. The result is customized care that helps people where they need it most! Contact Michael’s House today at 1-877-345-8494 for more information.