PRESCRIPTION DRUG ADDICTION

Millions of people worldwide report past-month use of prescription drugs for nonmedical purposes. Sadly, many who abuse prescription drugs will become addicted and require professional treatment in order to safely quit. Preventing prescription drug abuse begins with an understanding of how drugs are abused, why they are abused, and what you should look out for if a loved one or friend is possibly taking drugs in manners other than prescribed.

Types of Prescription Drugs

It is possible that you or someone you love is addicted to prescription drugs and doesn’t even realize it. In fact, the National Institute on Drug Abuse estimates that 20% of the U.S. population has abused a prescription drug recently. The most common types of prescriptions include:

• Opiates such as fentanyl, hydrocodone, oxycodone.
• Stimulants such as Adderall, concerta or Ritalin.
• Depressants such as ambien or Lunesta.
• Benzos such as valium, Xanax or klonopin.
• Barbiturates such as Amytal, phenobarbital or Nembutal.

Recent years have led to a dramatic increase in the abuse of these drugs. More ER visits and higher rates of accidental overdose are common throughout the U.S. and in other major countries.

Opiate Abuse

Abusing opiates is common following a prescription being given for the treatment of legitimate pain. Prescription opiate abuse can quickly lead to addiction and a physical need for the drug. If you or someone you love regularly takes hydrocodone, oxycodone, fentanyl or another opiate, it’s important to seek help right away as addiction is almost guaranteed.

Opiate abuse signs include:

• Using opiates for anything other than pain.
• Using opiates after the pain has subsided.
• Taking opiates when you are not prescribed them.
• Asking your doctor for more opiates.
• Lethargy or heavy limbs.
• Symptoms of withdrawal such as nausea or vomiting when the drug is not available.

Opiate withdrawal is common when opiates are abruptly stopped. Symptoms of withdrawal include:

• Bone or joint pain.
• Muscle pain and discomfort.
• Inability to sleep.
• Tearing or watery eyes.
• Upset stomach.
• Nausea and vomiting.
• Diarrhea
• Cold, clammy skin.
• Goose-flesh.

Treatment for opiate withdrawal begins with medical detox and is followed by counseling and therapy to help end patterns of drug abuse that led to addiction. Costa Rica Treatment Center can help you or a loved one overcome opiate addiction. Just call 1-800-708-3656 today.

Stimulant Abuse

Stimulants such as Adderall are often prescribed in the treatment of ADHD or ADD. These drugs can reach the wrong hands and produce adverse effects when they are crushed and snorted or dissolved and injected. Repeat use of stimulants can cause intense euphoria followed by a rapid increase in tolerance that requires more of the drug to be used.

Stimulant abuse signs include:

• Staying up late.
• Changes in sleep patterns.
• Psychosis or delusions
• Hallucinations
• Seizures, Anxiety or Tremors

Taking stimulants for a prolonged period of time, or excessively is likely to lead to symptoms of withdrawal. While stimulant withdrawal is not generally as painful as opiate withdrawal, it can create a deep sense of depression that is difficult to cope with. Symptoms of stimulant withdrawal include:

• Feeling anxious or sad.
• Agitation and intense cravings for the drug.
• Mental exhaustion and insomnia that makes rest difficult.
• Drug cravings that persist for many months.

Depressant Abuse

Depressants are often also referred to as sedatives. Abusing sedatives can produce a decrease in anxiety and lowered inhibitions. Repeat abuse of depressants will lead to an increase in tolerance and an inability to function normally without the drugs.

Common side effects of depressant abuse include:

• Amnesia or forgetfulness.
• Blurred vision and inability to stay awake.
• Dizziness and lightheadedness.
• Lower blood pressure and cold skin.
• Slurred speech or weakness of muscles.
• Loss of coordination.

Taking depressants for an extended period of time can lead to withdrawal and discomfort as the brain and the body attempt to shift back to a state free of the substance. Depressants withdrawal can cause:

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Restlessness
• Inability to sleep
• Seizures
• psychosis

Benzodiazepine Abuse

Benzos such as valium or Xanax are commonly prescribed following trauma or for severe anxiety. However, repeat use of these drugs will lead to dependence and a subsequent need for a slow tapering of the medication to safely quit using the drug. Many become physical dependent without even realizing the risks they were taking when they abused the drug.

Benzo abuse signs include:

• Sedation and muscle relaxation.
• Heightened anxiety when benzos are not available.
• Taking benzos with alcohol or other drugs.
• Lack of coordination.

Taking any benzo for more than a few days can quickly lead to the build up of tolerance and to physical dependence. When you try to quit, you will likely be faced with an array of withdrawal symptoms that make it downright scary to say “no” to the drug. Below is a list of the most common benzodiazepine withdrawal effects:

• Seizures
• Loss of muscle coordination
• Hallucinations
• Delusions
• Psychosis
• Coma

If you or someone you love is addicted to a benzodiazepine such as Valium or Xanax, we recommend you call Costa Rica Treatment Center at 1-800-708-3656 for immediate help. Our helpline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to support you.

Barbiturate Abuse

Barbiturates are a group of drugs that are often also referred to as sedative-hypnotics. Using barbiturates when they are not prescribed, or taking them in any manner other than prescribed, can be extremely dangerous for the user. Drugs such as phenobarbital, that are used to reduce seizure risk in patients, can produce immediate seizures in those who abuse the substance.

Barbiturate abuse signs include:

• Lethal combination when taken with alcohol.
• Feeling drowsy or lethargic.
• Lack of inhibitions.
• Staggering or inability to stand up straight.

Much like the symptoms of benzo withdrawal can be dangerous, so can the symptoms of barbiturate withdrawal. Common symptoms of withdrawal that led to dangerous outcomes include:

• Lethargy or seizure.
• Psychosis or hallucinations.
• Delusions.
• Coma.

Getting Help for Prescription Drug Addiction

Now that you know all the different types of prescription drugs that are abused, and how to spot abuse, what do you do if you need help?

Treatment for prescription drug addiction can be different for each patient depending on his or her needs and depending on the severity of the addiction. The most common methods of treatment include:

• Inpatient rehab
• Outpatient rehab
• Support groups
• Follow up care and relapse prevention

The exact type of treatment that is right for you will depend on the following factors:

• Severity of your addiction.
• How long you have been addicted.
• The type of addiction you are struggling with.
• Whether you have been to treatment before.
• Underlying health conditions.

How Is Prescription Drug Addiction Treated?

After many years of research into the way substance use disorders impact the brain, treatment now takes a number of different factors into account. Successful treatment of prescription drug addiction involves several components according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. They conclude that successful treatment must include some combination of the following:

• Detoxification and stabilization.
• Counseling and therapy.
• Medications as needed.

Multiple courses of treatment are common for those who experience prescription addiction. Behavioral therapy such as contingency management, and cognitive therapy are commonly paired with medications to help users recover.

Behavioral treatment teaches strategies to help users manage cravings and avoid triggers that could lead to relapse. Some treatments even include incentives to help the patient reach recovery milestones and achieve recovery goals. Together, through individual and group counseling, family therapy and support, patients are able to achieve recovery success.

Choosing a Rehab Center

If you or someone you love is addicted to prescription drugs, choosing treatment is the first major step you will take towards recovery and healing. But how do you choose a program that’s right for your needs?

We encourage you to take the following steps to choose a rehab center that’s ideal for your or someone you love who may be addicted:

• Consider location. Choosing a treatment center that is outside your comfort zone could be exactly what you need for recovery. Don’t be afraid to seek help outside your hometown.
• Consider amenities. You may be tempted to think you need luxury care or that you need things like massage therapy and acupuncture. But first consider amenities such as those that will actually aid in your recovery. Things like equine therapy, and art therapy paired with healthy exercise programs are ideal for your healing needs.
• Don’t overlook treatment success rates. If you call a center and ask questions, they should be more than willing to answer you. Don’t overlook asking about treatment success rates. You want a facility that can provide you with details on the success of their program.
• Ask about staff to patient ratios. You want high staff to patient ratios or in other words, a low patient to staff ratio. This means that you will have many staff at your disposal as a patient. Costa Rica Treatment Center has a staff to patient ratio of almost 1:1 which means you will always have the care you need when you need it.
• Consider cost. Many rehab centers charge excessive fees where they aren’t necessary. Others accept insurance but charge beyond what your insurance will cover. Consider an all-inclusive rehab program that will allow you to get the help you need at a monthly rate you can actually afford.

Get Help Today

Are you ready to get help for your addiction to prescription drugs? Costa Rica Treatment Center is ready to assist you in the recovery and healing process. Call our helpline toll free at 1-800-708-3656 to get immediate support. We care about your needs and look forward to assisting you in the recovery process.