If you’re worried that you or a loved one is abusing prescription drugs, there are ways to get help. Oxford Treatment Center and all of American Addiction Centers facilities utilize evidence-based treatment and therapies to help our patients reach recovery. Prescription drug abuse refers to the misuse of medications that are legally prescribed by doctors. This includes taking a drug in a way not intended by the prescribing physician, such as taking higher doses, using it more frequently, or taking someone else’s prescription. Some individuals abuse these drugs to get high, manage stress, or improve academic or athletic performance.
How Can I Help a Loved One Who’s Addicted to Prescription Drugs?
Misuse can lead to addiction, overdose, and other negative consequences. On the other hand, group therapy is one in which a group of patients is allocated to one more professionals to work with during the recovery journey. Group prescription drug abuse therapy can be successfully use for people with a common problem, though at times it is combined with individual therapy.
Physical Symptoms
He utilizes positive psychology as much as possible during his counseling sessions. Positive psychology is a treatment approach that believes all people want to lead fulfilling and meaningful personal and professional lives. Mason Ungar is a Certified Alcohol Drug Counselor-Clinical Supervisor who manages the Elevate Addiction Services South Lake Tahoe facility.
Prescription drug abuse affects individuals of all age groups, but certain demographics face a higher risk. Teenagers and young adults are particularly vulnerable to prescription drug abuse, with factors such as fear of addiction to medications prescribed for medical conditions or the desire to experience a euphoric high contributing to misuse. By utilizing these treatment options, support resources, and prevention strategies, individuals can take proactive steps towards recovery and reduce the impact of prescription drug abuse on their lives and the community. Remember, seeking help is a sign of strength and a crucial step towards a healthier and happier future.
- Some teens say that prescription medicines are much safer to abuse than illegal drugs.
- Drugs that are considered “gateway drugs” (that is, substances that are often precursors to abuse of other, possibly more dangerous drugs) or deemed a public health risk may also be listed under Schedule I.
- Treatment planning and dietary counselling is usually carried out according to individual needs.
- Here, new members are welcomed to the group and exchange of experiences on progress also takes place.
Denying Our Mental Health: Why We Do It and How To Move Past It
Get rid of the drugs you don’t need, and keep track of the ones you do. Vicodin’s street names include “vike” and “Watson-387.” If you feel sick, like you’re having the flu, after marijuana addiction stopping any of these opioid medications, your body may have become dependent. Talk to you doctor if you feel you need these medications for more than pain relief.
Physical dependence and addiction
But long-term abuse carries risks, such as increases in blood fat levels, diabetes, and heart enlargement that may end in heart failure. But he suspects that increasing numbers of prescriptions written for certain drugs, such as ADHD medications, afford greater opportunity. “A certain portion of those will be diverted for abuse purposes,” he says.
The information on this site should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or advice. Contact a health care provider if you have questions about your health. Doctors recommend that people who misuse opioids keep naloxone, a medication that can reverse an overdose. Treatment for opioid addiction includes medications that can help people get control without a high chance of addiction. Depressants, such as benzodiazepines (like diazepam and alprazolam), also hold a significant share in prescription misuse; 6.1 million individuals reported misusing these in the past year.
- The DEA promotes National Take Back Days, encouraging consumers to hand over their expired and unused medications.
- For more information, see our report on alcohol abuse and alcohol-related deaths.
- This can be attributed to the underlying addictive tendencies and the potential for cross-addiction.
- Additionally, economic stressors, limited resources, and disparities in healthcare access can contribute to the misuse of prescription medications in these populations.
Underlying Mental Health Conditions
- Although these findings suggest that standard substance use disorder treatment may also be efficacious—perhaps even to a greater degree than in other populations—research on treatment response in this population is sorely needed.
- Most health insurance programs offer some level of coverage for SUD treatment.
- But prescription drugs are only safe for the people who have prescriptions for them.
- Vicodin’s street names include “vike” and “Watson-387.” If you feel sick, like you’re having the flu, after stopping any of these opioid medications, your body may have become dependent.
- Prescription monitoring programs (PMPs) are valuable tools in identifying and preventing prescription drug abuse.
If you have trouble sleeping, drugs like zolpidem (Ambien), eszopiclone (Lunesta), and zaleplon (Sonata) can help you get the rest you need. But if you use them longer than your doctor suggests, you may become dependent and need them to sleep. Practicing sleep hygiene skills is the best way to deal with sleep problems. Although they’re not as addictive as some sleeping pills, doctors are concerned about abuse if they’re not taken as prescribed.
Today, they prescribe them for conditions such as ADHD, ADD, depression, and narcolepsy. Examples of stimulants are dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine, Dextrostat, ProCentra), lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse), methylphenidate (Concerta, Daytrana, Methylin, Ritalin), and a mix of amphetamine and dextroamphetamine (Adderall). Barbiturates — including amobarbital (Amytal), pentobarbital (Nembutal), phenobarbital (Luminal), and secobarbital (Seconal) — are also CNS depressants.
Mental Health Resources
By enhancing brain activity, stimulants increase one’s attention, alertness, and energy. Most health insurance programs offer some level of coverage for SUD treatment. This is an opportunity to confront the individual about the consequences of addiction and ask the person to accept treatment. Think of an intervention as giving your loved one a clear opportunity to make changes before things get really bad. Encourage your loved one to be honest about drug use and to accept help if needed.
Find more resources on prescription and over-the-counter drugs (and opioids) on the SAMHSA Library. If you or someone you love is struggling with the devastating side effects of addiction and are unsure of where to turn, call us today at . Oxford Treatment Center, American Addiction Centers’ drug rehab in Mississippi, is ready to help you get the treatment you need today.