Prescription Drug Rehab Centers
Prescription drug abuse occurs when an individual takes prescription medications not prescribed for them or when a person takes prescription drugs in excess of the dose prescribed. Both adults and adolescents abuse prescription drugs. Treatment for prescription drug abuse may vary according to the drug taken as well as the age or gender of the person addicted to prescription medications.
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Prescription drug abuse
There are several types of commonly abused prescription drugs. The drug of choice among the prescription medications abused may vary from one person to the next or among different age groups or gender. Some of the most commonly abused prescription drugs are opioids. Among the opioids, these are a few of the most commonly abused according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA):
- Hydrocodone (Vicodin)
- Oxycodone (OxyContin)
- Fentanyl (Duragesic)
- Hydromorphone (Dilaudid)
- Meperidine (Demerol)
Opioids, according to NIDA, “act by attaching to specific proteins called opioid receptors, which are found in the brain, spinal cord, gastrointestinal tract, and other organs in the body. When these drugs attach to their receptors, they reduce the perception of pain.” Because opioids affect the area of the brain involved in rewards, some people get a euphoric response when taking these drugs and then want to keep getting that euphoric effect, so they take more. As with other types of commonly abused drugs, more and more is eventually needed to get the same euphoric effect that occurred the first time the opioids were taken in excess or when taken by someone other than who it is prescribed for.
Other types of prescription medications frequently abused include stimulants such as Dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine) and Methylphenidate (Ritalin and Concerta). Central Nervous System (CNS) prescription drugs commonly abused include medications such as Diazepam, more commonly known as Valium and Alprazolam (Xanax).
Prescription drug abuse trends
There are many prescription drugs abused in the United States and the trend is still increasing. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) points out that “about 15.3 million people aged 12 or older used prescription drugs non-medically in the past year, and 6.5 million did so in the past month.” Prescription drugs are abused more often than many other types of drugs, with the exception of alcohol and marijuana. The trend towards prescription drug abuse is not just an issue with adults; adolescents frequently abuse prescription medications. Among adolescents who admit to non-medical use of prescription medications, 20.3 per cent of youth ages 12 or older say they have taken prescription medications in the past year. Among ages 18 to 26, that number increases to 26.6 per cent, which is a significant increase from the year before. Prescription drug abuse is also an issue among military veterans as well as active duty military personnel.
Prescription drug abuse is also on the rise among older adults, ages 50 or older. Older adults may experience a higher risk of prescription drug abuse due to their elevated pain levels, anxiety or sleep disorders. Older adults may experience increased risk of falls or other injuries as well as being at risk for more serious consequences of the effects of prescription drug abuse.
Misconceptions about prescription drugs
Prescription drugs are often viewed as being safe to take in excess by both adults and adolescents – after all, a doctor prescribed them. The effects of taking too much of the medications or taking a prescription drug prescribed for someone else has potentially devastating consequences. Prescription drug abuse-related visits to hospital emergency rooms and prescription drug rehab admissions are increasing. In spite of the misconception that prescription drugs are safer than other commonly abused drugs, the fact is that prescription drug abuse can result in addiction, other health problems that can lead up to and include coma or even death. Ulifeline also points out that prescription drug abuse can lead to poor academic performance among students and result in legal problems.
Prescription drug treatment
The treatment administered for prescription drug abuse or addiction will depend on a number of factors. The age of the person needing treatment may dictate the prescription drug treatment facility that a person attends. The types of prescription drugs being abused may determine which prescription drug treatment center that a person needs to go to for treatment. Like other forms of addiction, prescription drug abuse is a complex illness in need of a comprehensive treatment program. As NIDA explains, “Effective treatment programs typically incorporate many components, each directed to a particular aspect of the illness and its consequences.” Prescription drug treatment programs address the entire complex disease involved in prescription drug abuse. Prescription drug rehab facilities help get the person off the drugs and help the client or patient through cravings. The staff shows the person how to live a drug-free lifestyle without resorting to prescription drug abuse to deal with problems or pain and how to become a productive member of society.
Prescription drug rehab is like other treatment for drug addictions in the respect that there is no short-term fix. Prescription drug treatment centers treat the whole person. The treatment is not just a few days admission and then the person is suddenly free of their addiction to prescription drugs. Medications may help with some of the issues of prescription drug abuse, especially if the person is addicted to opioids. Counseling in both group and individual sessions is another aspect of treatment, meeting with case managers, therapists and perhaps a psychiatrist will all help those in prescription drug treatment centers see how their prescription drug addiction affects them and those around them.
Locating prescription drug treatment centers
Sober Recovery has the largest online virtual directory of drug treatment resources available. We can help you find a prescription drug rehab near you. You will also not have to concern yourself with the dreaded call to the insurance company to see if they will cover any part of your treatment. We offer a confidential and free insurance benefits check so that you can get the best care for your prescription drug addiction with the insurance that you have.
[Source: Drugabuse.gov, Drugabuse.gov, SAMHSA]