When taken as directed by a healthcare professional, prescription drugs are a safe and effective method of treating a variety of health concerns. But if a person misuses the medication their provider prescribes, they are at an increased risk for developing a prescription drug addiction.
The National Institute on Drug Abuse notes that opioids and benzodiazepines, commonly known as benzos, are among the common prescription drugs people misuse.
Your healthcare provider may prescribe an opioid to relieve pain, coughing, or diarrhea, or they may prescribe a benzodiazepine if you are struggling with anxiety, have trouble sleeping, or are suffering from muscle spasms.
Glenwood Behavioral Health Hospital offers acute inpatient and outpatient treatment for adults age 18 and older of all genders whose struggles with prescription drug addiction have severely impacted their lives. With personalized care at a prescription drug addiction treatment place, you can stop misusing prescription drugs and start living a more productive life.
Signs & Symptoms of Prescription Drug Addiction
The warning signs and symptoms of prescription drug addiction can vary depending on certain factors, such as what medication a person is misusing, how long they have been misusing that medication, their family history, and their genetic makeup.
Common prescription drug addiction signs and symptoms may include:
- Takes more than the prescribed dosage
- Takes the substance for longer than prescribed
- Abuses a prescription drug to achieve feelings of euphoria
- Takes a prescription drug for nonmedical reasons
- Takes other people’s prescription drugs
- Lies to healthcare providers to get more of the substance
- Borrows or steals money to get more prescription drugs
- Has uncontrollable cravings for the substance
- Needs to take more of the prescription drug to get the same effect
- Unable to stop taking the prescription drug after several failed attempts
- Suffers from withdrawal symptoms when unable to use prescription drugs
Common Causes & Risk Factors for Prescription Drug Addiction
Experts have not identified a single cause of prescription drug addiction, but there are certain risk factors that can increase your chances of developing this condition. According to Mayo Clinic, these are common causes of and risk factors for prescription drug addiction:
- Access to prescription drugs
- Lack of knowledge about the potential harm of prescription drugs
- Social environment where substances are abused
- Family history of substance use disorders
- Personal history of a substance use disorder
- Coexisting mental health condition
Potential Effects of Prescription Drug Addiction
Prescription drug addiction can have debilitating effects if left untreated. Common prescription drug addiction effects a person may experience include:
- Ruined relationships with friends and family
- Legal problems from attempts to get prescription drugs
- Risky behaviors or frequent run-ins with the law
- Accidents or injuries while intoxicated
- Trouble performing at work or job loss
- Financial hardship or bankruptcy
- Development of other health conditions
- Development of other mental health disorders
- Use of illicit substances if unable to obtain prescription drugs
- Suicidal ideation or death by suicide
By getting professional help, you can reduce your risk for experiencing any long-term negative effects of prescription drug addiction.
The Benefits of Prescription Drug Addiction Treatment
Prescription drugs can aid in the treatment of injuries, illnesses, and chronic conditions. But if you are unable to control your use, professional assistance for prescription drug addiction is the vital next step.
By getting appropriate care at a prescription drug addiction treatment place, you can stop abusing prescription drugs with the support of experienced, compassionate professionals.
During your time at a prescription drug addiction treatment center, you can gain a deeper understanding of what may have led you to abuse prescription drugs and develop coping skills to help prevent future relapse.
Many people who seek prescription drug addiction treatment also discover a new community that provides support throughout their recovery. This can be a powerful component of the prescription drug addiction treatment process that shows many people who are struggling with prescription drug addiction that they are not alone in this journey.
Choosing the Right Prescription Drug Addiction Treatment Center
The experts at Glenwood Behavioral Health Hospital understand the importance of providing prescription drug addiction treatment that aligns with your unique recovery needs.
Adults age 18 and older of all genders turn to our inpatient and outpatient programs when they are in a state of crisis from severe and persistent symptoms of prescription drug addiction.
The highly experienced team at our prescription drug addiction treatment place helps each person who seeks professional support achieve stabilization, providing round-the-clock monitoring throughout their inpatient stay.
We recognize that achieving recovery from prescription drug addiction is an individual process. You can expect to work in active collaboration with your care team to determine the most beneficial length of stay at our prescription drug addiction treatment center.
Therapies Used in Prescription Drug Addiction Treatment
Understanding how prescription drug addiction has impacted your life and health is vitally important to your recovery. To accomplish this, you will complete a detailed assessment of your presenting concerns, medical history, and treatment goals.
Based on the information gathered during this process, we will create a prescription drug addiction treatment plan that we customize specifically to you. This may include:
- Detoxification services
- Group therapy
- Individual therapy
- Activities therapy
- Family therapy
- Recreational therapy
- Individualized aftercare plan
Your care team will work closely with you throughout your time at our prescription drug addiction treatment center, making any necessary adjustments to your treatment plan to ensure that you continue to make positive progress toward your recovery goals.
Prescription drug addiction may have put your life on pause, but with the focused support of the multidisciplinary team at Glenwood Behavioral Health Hospital, you can find your path forward.
This content was written on behalf of and reviewed by the clinical staff at Glenwood Behavioral Health Hospital.
