Treatment of Prescription Drug Abuse

Prescription drugs have been intended to help patients do better, but they have unfortunately become a weapon used by a lot of Americans for violence and the degradation of their existence. These prescription drugs are a growing issue, especially among young people who can get them online and in the medical practices of their parents. In this prescription drugs issue in the US, those who have an addiction to prescription drugs addiction must get proper resources for rehabilitation.

People with double diagnoses or a mental condition in conjunction with an addiction disorder are more susceptible to abuse of prescription drugs. Any of the medications prescribed for anxiety control, or alleviation of the symptoms are of high addictive potential.

If without a prescription drugs order from a doctor, a family or friend has been abusing medication to reduce anxiety, depression, or any other mental issue, getting treatment might prevent severe consequences like:

• Problems with the law
• Monetary problems
• Divorce 
• Loss of child custody
• Overdependence on a chemical 
• Accident 
• Suicide attempts
• Drug overconcentration and end of life

Unique co-occurring disorder care centers provide intensive care for mental illness and prescription drugs addiction disorders. As soon as you visit a certified center for dual diagnostics, you are more likely to reach your recovery targets.

The Meaning of Prescription Drug Misuse

Prescription drugs misuse is whether you take a drug for any purpose other than that recommended by the doctor. Experts report that, for non-medical purposes in the previous year, more than 18 million people aged 12 or overused prescription drug products. This is over 6% of the U.S. population.

Drug misuse — even prescriptive drugs — can alter the workings of your brain. Most people begin with the option of taking these prescription drugs. Your self-control and ability to make sound choices affect the changing mind over time. At the same time, you are keen on taking more medications.

How is it Diagnosed? 

Physicians are usually based on medical records and responses to other questions to a diagnosis of the use of prescription drugs. Sometimes, there is also evidence of certain signs and symptoms. A variety of types of medications can be found in blood or urine samples. These tests can also monitor an individual receiving treatment’s progress.

Current Stats on Prescription Drug Overuse

The abuse of prescription drugs has been among the greatest issues in the United States for law enforcement authorities and recovery centers. At a point, the biggest danger of violence and addiction was illicit substances. Illegal medications are now many Americans’ medications of preference. According to the 2010 prescription drugs report:

• Some millions of US citizens have used psychotherapeutic medicines without a medical prescription, medicine that affects how the nerves and cerebrum works
• With millions of US citizens registering to use drugs out of medical recommendations, Painkillers were the most commonly misused prescription medications
• The next most widely abused drug was tranquilizers and millions non-medical uses recorded
• The second most frequently abused prescription drugs were stimulants and sedatives
• One in every twelve kids who are in grade 12 recorded recreational use of Vicodin, a pain reliever; one in 20 reported recreational use of OxyContin

Many opioid rehabilitation American facilities provide prescription drugs abuse recovery programs. However, it could be far more difficult to locate an installation that offers integrated care for drug addiction and mental illness. Before entering a treatment center, ensure that mental health experts and alcohol therapists qualified to diagnose and manage mental illness provide you with the care you receive.

Prescription Drugs that are Commonly Abused

People are getting high with various prescription drugs, addicting physical distress or alleviating an anxious feeling and feeling overworked. Many of these medications are initially administered for legal purposes, such as anxiety medication, or extreme pain. The use and abuse potential of many prescription drugs are distinguished:

Benzodiazepines

In the United States, benzodiazepines are the common prescription drugs abused. According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, often contain a bigger propensity for violence, this is the reason that experts treat them as drugs needed immediately to reduce the effects of chronic anxiety. Such medications when consumed for over 14 days can easily lead to addictive behavior and dependency, and exceeding the recommended dosage can result in lung issues, unconsciousness, stroke, or mortality.

Cough Suppressant

Such as hydrocodone is an addictive pain reliever in many prescription drugs, including Vicodin. The substance is extremely addictive and can turn people from all walks of life into criminals willing to lie, cheat, and steal to acquire their pills. Hydrocodone, as probably the most widely prescribed and inexpensive pain killers, is also available to patients of all ages. According to the United States, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), prescription drugs abuse such as hydrocodone abuse has risen since 2009, and prescription has become probably the most widely abused opiates in the world.

OxyContin

OxyContin, a potent opioid painkiller, has made headlines due to its widespread violence in America. This medication got a lot of gained attention due to the high amount of overuse linked with the treatment, which is meant to offer pain relief that will last for several weeks. Overdoes are quickly caused as soon as consumers take off the coating and grind the drug for snorting. When other prescription drugs are combined with OxyContin, it raises the likelihood of mortality.

Ritalin/Adderall

These central nervous system stimulants, which are successful for curing a disorder that causes high activity, have become common in kids in learning institutions who want to enhance their mental concentration and raise the levels of energy they have. However, according to ABC News, abuse of prescription drugs such as Adderall can result in serious psychological disturbances such as depression and suicidal tendencies in younger people.

The Connection Between Mental Health and Prescription Drug Abuse

Prescription drugs are often misused by those that have mental health disorder, but according to studies, such disorders are also handled differently regarding recovery programs for prescription drugs addiction issues. This service division could cause inadequate care in both conditions, increasing the chances of going back to the old habit. People with a Dual Diagnosis can experience the following symptoms and all negative effects associated with prescription drugs overuse:

• Mood swings and emotional dysfunction
• Manifestations of offensive or abusive behavior
• Suicidal thoughts during times of extreme depression
• Maintaining healthy relationships is difficult.
• Uncertainty in their own identity
• Unreasonable fears that dominate their minds
• The obsessive desire to engage in specific behaviors
• When confronted with such circumstances, I got really scared

Those who go for top-notch treatment plans for prescription drugs overuse are more likely to be poor, unemployed, homeless, or incarcerated. They can use emergency services regularly for the treatment of such illnesses or obtain the cure high quantities of prescription drugs in the body. Prescription drugs are often perceived as a “clean” alternative to illegal drugs, but the consequences of abuse might seem also hard to take, particularly for patients battling with a severe mental condition.

Why Prescription Drug Misuse is Rampant

A few researchers believe that since there are more prescription drugs available, more people are abusing prescription drugs. Doctors are writing more prescriptions than ever before, according to reports. Furthermore, it is simple to locate online pharmacies that sell these prescription drugs. 

Teenagers can take prescription drugs from their parent’s medicine cabinets to use on themselves or their friends. Many teens have no idea what prescription drugs they are taking or which ones can cause serious complications, if not death when mixed with other prescription drugs or alcohol. They may also feel that since the drugs are prescribed, they are healthy.

Stages of Drug Abuse Treatment

Whenever a person ends up being an addict, it affects their mentality. The medications simply fool their intellectual to think that they can’t live in the presence of prescription drugs. As a result, when a person discontinues taking prescription drugs, the person no more knows the right way to act. As a result, lowering the dosage or discontinuing the medication entirely will result in unpleasant withdrawal effects like:

• Anxiety and irritation 
• High desire for the drug
• Nausea 
• Diarrhea
• Chills and Goosebumps
• Tremors
• Migraines 
• Muscular pain 

Detoxification from chemical compounds is the first step in prescription drug care. Treatment also offers a supportive environment in which to feel withdrawal symptoms. Clients are supervised by medical practitioners during the detoxification process and may be given prescription medications for assistance in dealing with the withdrawal symptoms. A priority during detox is to retain patient stability; however, a recovery team may start getting the patient ready to proceed to the subsequent step of rehab.

Apart from detox, treatment of prescription drug abuse involves retraining the person on how to exist without the use of addictive drugs. Seeking treatment options outside prescription medications for depression or worries, like meditation or massage, are often part of this phase. To alleviate the effects of mental conditions or chronic pain, a patient might take less chronic medications in place of harder drugs.

Offering to Help a Friend or Family Member

It can be awkward to bring up the subject of prescription drug abuse with a loved one. Denial and anger are normal reactions, and you might be concerned about causing conflict or causing harm to your relationship with that person.

Be patient and compassionate. Make it clear to the person that you are worried about his or her well-being. Encourage your loved ones to be transparent about their drug use and to seek support if it is needed. Someone an individual trust is more likely to respond to feedback. If the problem persists, additional intervention may be required.

Process of Intervention

It is difficult to assist a beloved person in confronting prescription drugs problems or other destructive behavior. Individuals who fight addiction behavior sometimes deny or do not want to pursue help. And the detrimental consequences of their actions on themselves and others cannot be recognized. An intervention may encourage someone to seek assistance in addictive behavior.

A process with family, friends, and other people concerned about a person who is dealing with prescription drugs dependence is carefully structured. You may help coordinate a successful intervention by contacting a practitioner for intervention (interventionist), a psychologist, or a mental health counselor. This is a chance for the individual to confront and ask them to accept care with the effect of dependence. Think of an intervention as a straightforward chance for your beloved to make adjustments before things get very bad.

Getting Ready for an Appointment

A medicine prescription abuse issue can be solved by your primary care doctor. Your doctor may however refer you to a drug specialist or facility which helps people withdraw from medications if you have toxicity.

Things you Should Do

To effectively get ready for your appointment, ensure you have a list of:

• All the prescription drugs you’ve consumed, plus over-the-counter medications, herbs, and supplements; also have the dose and frequency of use
• All negative symptoms you’re feeling
• Your personal information, such as any stress or recent changes in your life
• Questions  you need clarification on

Some questions you could ask your doctor are:

• What your treatment options are
• The duration of the treatment 
• If you need a specialist
• Best way to manage your other health issues while receiving treatment
• If they have any brochures or other printed material you can go through 
• Recommended websites you could visit 

Expectations from a Clinician 

A clinician might ask you questions such as:

• Are you currently taking any prescription meds? What dosage do you take and how often do you take them?
• How long have you had this issue?
• Did anything prompt you to start using prescription drugs? 
• Do you experience severe side effects?
• Do you have a history of drug addiction?
• Have you ever used recreational or illegal drugs? 
• Are you a smoker?
• Does anyone member of your family have a history of drug addiction?

Find Out More

Psychosocial treatments of prescription drugs dependency consist of people consultation sessions to discuss the main reasons behind addictions. Customers are developing a recovery strategy for the future in collaboration with a doctor, psychologist, drug counseling, and social workforce. The first time that many people have publicly discussed their addictions, individual and community consultations will truly be that. Talking or sharing to colleagues with trustworthy and compassionate professionals takes him forward in formerly unthinkable manners.

The last stage is to have follow-up and form a daily routine that doesn’t involve prescription drugs. The following forms of treatment apply, including going for appointments at the therapy center, sober residential homes, and the presence of a 12-stage program. The aftercare services promote a person’s rehabilitation in addition to giving the appropriate support system to avoid reoccurrence.

We are trained to assist victims to fight addiction at Foundations Rehabilitation Network treatment centers. Our singular, non-confrontational approaches support those addicted, all of which contribute to a life free of dependence. Contact us today for more information about prescription drugs.