Prescription Drug Abuse Rehab
What is Prescription Drug Abuse Rehab?
Just as with illegal narcotics or street drugs, some of the most commonly abused substances are prescription based. When it comes to pain medications or opiates, many men and women, and even youth, say that they started their addiction in their own home by abusing the prescriptions that their doctor’s provided. Many prescription medications are very addictive, and even if they do not appear to be causing addiction or drug abuse, they can lead to painful withdrawal when discontinued.
Abusing prescription medications is as common, if not more so, than addiction and abuse of street drugs or substances. Prescription drug abuse rehab is where people go to transition from a repetitive self-defeating lifestyle brought about by the emotional, spiritual and physical bondage to a prescription drug(s), into a repetitive self-fulfilling recovering lifestyle brought about by the emotional, spiritual and physical enrichment that emerges from a serene recovery lifestyle. As with illegal substance treatment, oftentimes medical detox followed by intensive therapy is required to help resume life the way it once was before the drugs.
Types of Prescription Drugs
While there are thousands of different prescription substances, the most common classifications that we see as problematic fall into the following categories:
Barbiturates
Barbiturates are typically sedative drugs that treat things such as seizures or insomnia. The body develops a tolerance to these drugs quickly, and withdrawal effects are felt as quickly as 8 hours after the last dose. Mixing barbiturates with other substances, such as alcohol or opiates greatly increases the chance of overdose.
Typical signs of abuse includes:
- Decreased Consciousness
- Vertigo
- Muscle Weakness
- Slurring Speech
Prescription Stimulants
Typically used to treat ADHD, such as Ritalin or Adderall, stimulants or uppers increase activity in the body. They speed up the mental process, which has become popular especially amongst college students who abuse them to crunch their work. Meth and Cocaine are types of typical illegal stimulants.
Signs of Abuse Includes:
- Agitation or Paranoia
- Reduced Appetite
- Increased Heart rate
- Itching
Prescription Opioids
Opioids are typically intense or potent painkillers, such as morphine or heroin. They are derived from opium poppy plants. Substances such as morphine, heroin or opium are considered to be ‘natural’ opiates, whereas methadone, percocet and vicodin are considered synthetic opioids. Opioids are highly addictive and cause severe withdrawal.
Signs of Abuse Include:
- Euphoria
- Tolerance
- Increased Sensitivity to Pain
- Confusion
- Poor Coordination
- Memory Problems
Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines, or benzos are typically used for anxiety disorders or depression. They include medications such as Valium, Klonopin and Xanax. Discontinuing them is especially dangerous because they can cause permanent chemical changes to the brain.
Signs of Abuse Include:
- Feeling Unsteady
- Memory Issues
- Slurring
- Poor Concentration
If you recognize any of these signs in yourself or others, you may have a problem abusing prescription medications and require medical help to safely detox. Because of the high risks of lethal withdrawal symptoms or seizures, it is very imperative to detox with the assistance of trained medical staff such as the men and women at Royal Life Detox.
What happens after medical detox?
Following medical detox at Royal Life Detox, guests will begin a comprehensive, collaborative approach to substance abuse treatment designed to support physical, mental and spiritual wellness. We offer a variety of detox options for treating drug addiction beyond just prescription drugs. Our program helps to promote a lasting, sober lifestyle through sobriety and beyond. Our addiction specialists, from our therapists and case managers to our facility staff, are dedicated to providing the best in care and support. Our holistic, evidence-based approach to psychotherapy incorporates individual and group sessions. We use other holistic methods, such as art, music and animal therapy to help our guests to learn to express themselves and communicate. At Royal Life Detox, we believe that emotional healing is just as important as physical healing. Our treatment features state-of-the-art activity, movement, and adventure therapies to create one program that treats mind, body, and spirit.
Guests may begin their recovery journey in our residential inpatient program and continue with us through PHP, IOP, OP, and sober living at our graduate housing residences. At Royal Life Detox, the guest is always our top priority, and we consistently do all we can to effect lasting change, that they might continue to lead healthy, sober lives long after they have left our care. This is not just our goal, but our mission.
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