Prescription Drug Addiction Rehab

Most people take prescription medications responsibly; however, an estimated 48 million people (ages 12 and older) have used prescription drugs for nonmedical reasons in their lifetimes. This represents approximately 20 percent of the U.S. population.

Too often, people avoid getting the treatment they need for prescription drug addiction because they are afraid of the withdrawal symptoms that often occur when one stops taking their drug of choice. With a medical treatment facility like Michael’s House, you can minimize the discomfort of a prescription drug detox and withdrawal and get the psychological and medical treatment you need to successfully break your addiction to prescription drugs.

Michael’s House offers a comprehensive, residential drug and alcohol rehab facility in Palm Springs, California as well as a residential sober living facility onsite for those who successfully graduate from drug rehab. Contact us today for more information about our program.

Why Does Prescription Drug Addiction Require Rehab?

The abuse of certain prescription drugs—opioids, central nervous system (CNS) depressants, and stimulants—can alter the brain's activity and lead to addiction. Painkillers such as Vicodin and OxyContin are opiates and are very powerful medications against pain, but they need to be taken under the close supervision of a doctor. These same medications when taken inappropriately can cause addiction because they have the same effect on the brain as heroin.

Prescription medications can be very effective in treating individuals with certain medical issues. However, using prescription drugs without the supervision of a physician, for nonmedical purposes, or enhancing prescriptions with other drugs and alcohol can lead to serious adverse consequences, including permanent and chronic damage to vital organ systems, death from drug overdose and physical addiction. To avoid or minimize these devastating effects of prescription drug addiction, prescription drug rehab is advised.

How Does Prescription Drug Addiction Occur?

Addiction to prescription medications most often starts innocently with a well-meant prescription from the family doctor. Controlling pain after a surgical procedure or injury is the intent of most of these prescriptions but even if the doctor’s orders are followed exactly, most will become physically addicted to the drug prescribed.

Physical addiction to prescription medication is characterized by the withdrawal symptoms that occur when the level of the drug in the blood stream drops below a certain level. These symptoms may include nausea and vomiting, insomnia, bone pain, restlessness and more. The danger of prescription drug abuse lies both in taking too much of the drug and abruptly ceasing to take it. Overdose can lead to unconsciousness, coma and death and depending upon the degree of the addiction and the amount of the dose, the cessation of prescription pills without medical supervision can be just as devastating.

With the help of Michael’s House, you or your loved one can find freedom from prescription drug addiction with the help of a physician trained in prescription drug addiction detoxification and treatment.

What Prescription Drugs are Addictive and Require Rehab?

There are three classes of prescription medications that are most commonly abused including opioids, central nervous system (CNS) depressants and stimulants:

Opioids: Also known as narcotic analgesics. Used to treat pain, opioids are the most commonly abused prescription drugs. Examples include morphine, codeine, OxyContin (oxycodone), Vicodin (hydrocodone) and Demerol (meperidine). In the short term, these drugs block pain messages and cause drowsiness. A large single dose can cause severe respiratory depression and death. Long-term use leads to physical dependence and, in some cases, addiction.
Central nervous system depressants: Commonly used to treat anxiety, panic attacks, and sleep disorders. Examples are Nembutal (pentobarbital sodium), Valium (diazepam), and Xanax (alprazolam). They slow down normal brain function and can cause a sleepy, uncoordinated feeling in the beginning of treatment. Long-term use can lead to physical dependence and addiction.
Central nervous system stimulants: Commonly used to treat the sleeping disorder narcolepsy and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Examples include Ritalin (methylphenidate) and Dexedrine (dextroamphetamine). These drugs, which can be addictive, enhance brain activity and increase alertness and energy. They elevate blood pressure, heart rate, and respiration. Very high doses can lead to irregular heartbeat and high body temperature.

What Prescription Drug Addiction Rehab Programs are Available?

There are a number of prescription drug addiction treatment facilities available to help those who are addicted to prescription painkillers, stimulants and depressants. Divided into two groups—those who address the physical addiction to prescription drugs and those who address the psychological dependence upon prescription drugs—the most successful prescription drug rehab will combine both types of treatment into one program. You will also be able to choose whether you would like an inpatient prescription drug addiction rehab that requires a residential stay for at least 30 days or an outpatient prescription drug rehab that offers treatment during the day only.

What are my Choices in Outpatient Prescription Drug Addiction Rehab Programs?

Prescription drug addiction detox programs that address only the physical dependence are either outpatient or inpatient. Outpatient detox programs for opiate prescription painkillers generally rely on medication to help you stop taking your drug of choice. Inpatient prescription drug detox programs may provide replacement medication or they may offer a cold turkey detox and symptomatic medication prescribed to ease discomfort brought on by the specific withdrawal symptoms you experience.

What are my Choices in Inpatient Prescription Drug Addiction Rehab Programs?

Inpatient prescription drug addiction rehab programs generally require a minimum stay of 30 days, though many offer 90-day and 120-day programs as well as the option to extend your stay if you and your therapeutic team determine that that is appropriate. Statistically speaking, the longer you stay in prescription drug rehab the more likely you will successfully avoid drug and alcohol relapse when you return home and those who do relapse tend to do so for a shorter period of time and much longer after they return home.

Inpatient prescription drug addiction treatment programs are generally recommended over outpatient programs because they provide you with round-the-clock support, which helps you avoid relapse during that crucial first stage of recovery.