Table of Contents
What Is Prescription Drug Addiction?
Prescription drugs are pharmaceutical medications that cannot be obtained without a written and authorized doctor’s prescription. This requirement is necessary to control the dose and availability and prevent misuse or abuse.
Essentially, not only hard substances or recreational drugs like heroin or cocaine can be abused. Many regular medications can be misused, even if a doctor has prescribed them. These drugs usually affect how the brain works through the influx of dopamine, causing a pleasurable “high” that patients want to feel again. Unfortunately, inadequate monitoring can lead to drug dependence and addiction.1
What Is Prescription Drug Detoxification?
Once substance abuse or prescription drug addiction is discovered, the next step is to detoxify the body. Prescription drug detoxification is the first and most important step in prescription drug addiction treatment and is essential to fully recover from addiction and dependency. Rather than quitting cold turkey, experts at prescription drug detox centers adopt the best and safest detox methods for each individual with a substance use disorder.2
What Are the Commonly Abused Prescription Drugs?
Prescription drug abuse is a public health hazard that has become a serious cause for concern in recent years. In 2015, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) found that 18.9 million Americans aged twelve and older misused prescription drugs in the past year.2
Some of the most commonly abused prescription drugs include the following:3
Depressants
Depressants (also called tranquilizers) are prescription drugs to treat sleep disorders like insomnia and anxiety. They help reduce brain activity and can make a person calm and sleepy. Common examples of depressants include benzodiazepines and barbiturates. Some symptoms of depressant misuse include:
- Sluggishness
- Dizziness
- Headaches
- Slurred speech
- Behavioral changes
Stimulants
Stimulants are prescription drugs to treat narcolepsy and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). They boost the brain’s dopamine levels, increasing alertness and energy levels. Since dopamine affects the brain’s pleasure spot, stimulants can be highly addictive. Below are some symptoms of stimulant misuse:
- Paranoia
- Hallucinations
- Aggressiveness
- Headaches
- Rapid heart rates
Opioids/Narcotics
These are prescription drugs that have strong pain-killing properties. It is the most misused of all prescription drugs. Besides numbing and reducing pain, opioids can also cause feelings of euphoria. Some types of opioids include oxycodone, tramadol, and fentanyl. Symptoms of opioid misuse are:
- Dizziness
- Lethargy
- Seizures
- Difficulty in breathing
Prescription Drug Detoxification Symptoms
With the continuous use of prescription drugs, the body will eventually adapt to the presence of the substance in its system. Therefore, a prescription medication detox can cause uncomfortable and threatening reactions called withdrawal symptoms.
Although prescription drug detox symptoms are temporary, it is necessary to have professional help at prescription drug detox centers. These experts will ensure that the substances are flushed out of the body in the safest way possible. They can prevent and alleviate many of the more dangerous symptoms and monitor overall health and wellness.
Withdrawal symptoms can be divided into three categories:
Physical Symptoms
The most common physical prescription drug symptoms include the following:
- Shivering
- Restlessness
- Vomiting
- Bone and muscle pain
- Hyperthermia or hypothermia
Behavioral Symptoms
Behavioral withdrawal symptoms to watch out for are:
- Insomnia
- Agitation
- Drug use cravings
Psychological Symptoms
Common psychological withdrawal symptoms include:
- Depression
- Paranoia
- Short term memory loss
- Anxiety
- Lack of focus
How Long Do Detox Symptoms Last?
The severity of prescription drug detox symptoms usually depends on the substance that has been abused and the duration of misuse. Often, the first symptoms will present within twenty-four hours of drug detox, and they will worsen in the next forty-eight hours. However, the symptoms will slowly ease up after this timeframe as the body begins to adapt to the substance’s absence.4
Prescription Drug Detoxification Side Effects
Although the right choice, detoxing from prescription medications can disturb the chemical balance that the body has formed through the consistent use of the substance. This disruption causes side effects that can be minimal or severe. Regardless, help from prescription drug detox centers is the best way to get appropriate care.
Common Side Effects of Prescription Drug Detox
The common side effects of prescription drug detox are mostly the physical withdrawal symptoms that have been listed above—hallucinations, vomiting, difficulty breathing, cravings, etc. Although these side effects are common, they should not be treated as insignificant. If these side effects are not properly maintained or taken care of, they might lead to something more drastic.
Severe Side Effects of Prescription Drug Detox
Prescription drug detox can also affect the brain’s chemical balance, leading to severe side effects like depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts.
Where Does Detoxification of Drugs Occur
Prescription drug detoxification is most effective when conducted and monitored by professionals at prescription drug detox centers. Having prescription drug detox done at home can be quite unsafe since there are no tools to help with the withdrawal symptoms. The safe way to detox is to visit a prescription drug detox center.
How to Choose the Proper Prescription Drug Detox Center
There are several prescription drug detox centers today, but many do not know which one is suitable for their needs. To choose a proper prescription drug detox center, consider the following:
- Is the prescription drug detox center licensed?
- Are the workers professional?
- Are they experienced?
How Much Does Prescription Drug Detox Cost?
The cost of detox from prescription drug medication depends on many factors, such as the type of substance use disorder, the location of the treatment facility, and insurance coverage. Inpatient care is also more expensive than outpatient care.
Prescription Drug Detox Centers Near Montecito, CA
There are several prescription drug detox centers near Montecito to pick from. However, verify their efficiency for your situation before committing yourself.
How Stillwater Behavioral Health Can Help
Stillwater Behavioral Health offers high-quality prescription drug rehabilitation services to help people recover from substance use disorders. Our staff is qualified and experienced to handle all forms of prescription drug addiction treatment with unique therapy suited to individual needs. In addition, our residential prescription drug rehab program is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities to offer patients the highest level of care.
Does Insurance Cover Prescription Drug Abuse Treatment?
At Stillwater, we work with many health insurance companies to make the cost of prescription drug addiction treatment as affordable as possible.
Contact Us Today!
Stillwater is a reputable prescription drug rehabilitation institute committed to ensuring each patient receives the proper care needed to live a healthy, fulfilling, and substance-free life. Reach out to us via any of the following methods:
- Email: info@stillwaterbh.com
- Phone: (805) 572-7911
- Our Montecito branch office is situated at Montecito, CA 913108.
Resources
- https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/addiction/abuse-of-prescription-drugs
- https://www.healthline.com/health/addiction/addictive-prescription-drugs#helping-loved-ones
- https://www.webmd.com/connect-to-care/addiction-treatment-recovery/prescription/signs-of-prescription-drug-withdrawal
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK310652/