
You can’t turn on the news or read a newspaper without reading about the opioid crisis in the United States. In 2018, two million patients reported having an opioid misuse disorder while 10.3 million patients misused their prescription for opioids. The really scary number is the 32,656 people who died from misuse of opioids.
If you or someone you love suffers from a prescription drug addiction, the time for treatment is right now. Taking the first steps toward recovery can be a little scary, but knowledge is power. Here’s some information you may not know about prescription drug addiction and its treatment.
When we talk about prescription drug addiction, we’re primarily talking about the addiction to opioids. You’ve probably also heard the term opiates. What’s the difference? Crafted from an opium poppy flower, opiates are a natural drug and include opium and morphine. Opioids, on the other hand, are man-made drugs created from morphine.
All opiates are opioids. Although heroin is an illegal drug, it’s considered an opioid, and some people with a prescription drug addiction to turn to this illegal substance, because it’s easier to find.
Both opiates and opioids are highly addictive. So why do doctors continue to prescribe these drugs? The truth is that after an accident or surgery some patients are in such pain that the only way to make it bearable is with an opioid drug. Not all patients who receive opioids for pain relief become addicted. In many cases, there is an underlying condition that exacerbates the situation.
Opioids aren’t the only prescription drugs that people become addicted to. Some people become addicted to stimulants, such as those prescribed for ADHD, while others become addicted to depressants, such as sleep medication.
You or your loved one didn’t wake up one morning addicted to a prescription drug. Typically, you start using opioids to manage pain after an accident or surgery. After that, you gradually progress to an addiction. There are several steps in this progress, and they include:
There is a fine line between using prescription drugs and abusing them. It can be difficult to know when you or someone you love has crossed that line into addiction. Of course, there are symptoms that can be indicators, including:
These symptoms are not only symptoms of prescription drug addiction. If you suspect you are abusing drugs, you need to seek medical attention for a diagnosis of and treatment for prescription drug addiction.
If someone you love has become addicted to opioids or other prescription medication and need prescription drug addiction treatment, there will be signs. You may not notice anything when the addiction first begins. However, signs of opioid use will become more prominent as the addiction grows.
If you suspect your loved one has an addiction, you need to encourage them to seek immediate prescription drug addiction treatment. You may need to approach the issue delicately and provide support and encouragement to get them to seek professional help.
At Fairwinds Treatment Center, we understand that everyone is unique, and there isn’t a one-size-fits-all treatment for someone with an opioid addiction or other prescription drug addiction. We break the level of care a patient needs into five levels, and those levels include:
During the course of your treatment, there will be many professionals who help you along the way. Many of these professionals have a very specialized niche. All of these professionals bring skills to help you beat your addiction and rebuild your life and relationships. The professional staff can include:
In many cases, patients diagnosed as prescription drug addicts have an underlying cause, such as low self-esteem or depression. When the underlying cause is a medical condition or mental health disorder, they receive a dual diagnosis. To be successful in their treatment, the patient must work on and overcome both disorders. Some of the most common dual diagnosis include:
As part of your treatment for a prescription drug addiction, you’ll meet with a therapist for individual sessions. These sessions may be daily or several times a week. You and your doctor will work out a treatment schedule and agree on the number of sessions per week.
During your sessions, you will examine the triggers for your tradition and new ways of dealing with them so you don’t fall into the routine of drug addiction. They will also treat the underlying or dual diagnosis of your addiction. The goal is to heal the entire patient — mind, body, and soul.
As part of your prescription drug addiction treatment, you’ll attend several group therapy meetings each day. The group will be made up of people like you who have abused drugs for a variety of reasons. As a group, you’ll examine the causes of your addiction and new ways of coping without turning to a pill bottle.
In each group therapy session, there will be a leader who keeps the group on task and directs the conversation. The leader may pose questions or ask you to complete exercises. During your sessions, you’ll work on interpersonal relationships and better ways of communication.
Your family and support system is one of the keys to a successful treatment for a prescription drug addict. A therapist will work with you and your family and provide you with the skills for better communication. They’ll help your family understand the underlying causes of addiction and that it isn’t as simple as deciding to stop.
When you leave inpatient care, you’ll rely on the support of your family and friends. As part of family therapy, your family members learn about their own self-care so that they can be more successful at providing you with support.
While opioids have garnered a lot of attention in recent years due to the rapid increase in addiction, these are not the only addictive prescription medications. Others can be addictive and long-term or improper use can result in dependence and addiction.
It is important to note that just because an individual is taking these medications, it doesn’t necessarily mean they are addicted. However, frequent or long-term use can lead to addiction. Understanding the signs and symptoms of prescription drug addiction can help you assess whether or not help may be necessary.
At Fairwinds Treatment Center, we want you to successfully beat your addiction and not experience relapses. We have extensive experience treating cases of prescription drug addiction just like yours, and we’re ready to provide you with the tools to overcome your addiction and any underlying causes. Whether you need intensive inpatient treatment or more flexible outpatient therapy, we’re ready to access your situation and come up with a viable treatment plan. Contact us today to schedule an appointment or an initial evaluation.
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