Prescription medication can be helpful for many people, but they can easily be misused due to their widespread availability. As prescription drug misuse becomes an increasing problem that affects all age groups, including young adults, it is important to find addiction treatment when you or your loved one is ready.
Call Tree House Recovery’s admissions team today to discover how our substance abuse treatments can support you during your journey toward sobriety.
Understanding Prescription Drug Addiction
Prescription drugs are medications prescribed to treat physical or mental health conditions. While these drugs can help people feel better when used as directed, prescription drugs are often misused and can lead to harmful effects like addiction, medical or mental health risks, or overdose.
Many dangers come with prescription drug addiction, including drug overdose and death. Mixing alcohol or CNS depressants with opioids can slow or stop breathing and lower the heart rate to dangerous levels. Prescribed stimulant misuse could have the opposite effect and lead to seizures, dangerous increasing blood pressure and body temperature, and heart problems.
Commonly Abused Prescription Drugs
Three common prescription drugs are often misused:
- Opioids: Used to treat acute or chronic pain. Also known as painkillers, the drug increases the dopamine levels in the brain, rewarding and reinforcing behaviors associated with the medication.
- Central Nervous System (CNS) Depressants: Commonly referred to as “Z-drugs,” these sedative-hypnotic drugs can treat insomnia, anxiety, sleep disorders, seizures, and muscle spasms. CNS depressants can create a feeling of euphoria and relaxation, influencing the brain in a way that can become addictive.
- Stimulants: Stimulants change specific brain signals by influencing norepinephrine and dopamine activity across the neurotransmitter system. Adderall and Didrex are used to treat ADHD and obesity and can become addictive due to how they affect the reward center of the brain.
Understanding the Risk Factors for Prescription Drug Addiction
Prescription drug misuse is a growing problem in the United States. In 2020, 20.6 million people reported misusing prescription drugs and overdose deaths included 16,500 from prescription opioids and 12,300 from prescription benzodiazepines.
Teens and young adults (ages 18-25) are the most likely to misuse prescription drugs, with many starting during their college years. While young adults are more likely to misuse prescription stimulants like Adderall, they often progress to misuse tranquilizers and, eventually, opioids.
Prescription drug addiction can lead many people to misuse prescription opioids down the path to misusing more addictive and deadlier drugs like heroin.
There are several factors that can increase a person’s risk for prescription drug addiction:
- Gender: Women are often prescribed opioid prescriptions more than men, which puts them at higher risk for misuse.
- Specific physical health problems: Individuals experiencing acute or chronic pain, fatigue, or headaches are at risk for prescription drug addiction.
- Specific mental health problems: People experiencing mental health problems like depression or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are at risk for misuse.
- History of substance misuse: Substance abuse disorders (SUD) are heritable and can be influenced by environmental factors. People with a family history of SUD or a personal history of the disorder are at risk for developing a prescription drug addiction.
- Age: Younger adults and older adults (65 and older) are at higher risk of misuse of prescription drugs.
Signs of Prescription Drug Misuse
Understanding and knowing the signs of prescription drug addiction can prevent serious health problems. However, identifying misuse can be challenging with prescription medications.
Since the term “prescription medication” covers opioids, depressants, and stimulants, understanding the specific type being used is crucial when looking for the signs and symptoms of prescription misuse.
Despite these differences, there are common warning signs of misuse across all types of prescription drugs that may serve as early indicators of addiction.
Opioids
Signs of prescription painkiller misuse can include:
- Constipation
- Nausea
- Slowed breathing rate
- Drowsiness
- Feeling high
- Confusion
- Increase dosage
- Worsening or heightened sensitivity to pain with higher doses
Central Nervous System (CNS) Depressants
Signs of prescription depressant misuse can include:
- Drowsiness
- Confusion
- Slurred speech
- Poor coordination
- Lack of focus
- Dizziness
- Memory problems
- Slowed breathing
Stimulants
Signs of prescription stimulant misuse can include:
- Increased alertness
- Feeling high
- Paranoia
- Anxiety
- Agitation
- Irregular heartbeat
- High blood pressure or body temperature
- Reduced appetite
Withdrawal Symptoms of Prescription Drug Addiction
Withdrawal symptoms from prescription drug addiction can be mentally and physically challenging. Each person will experience withdrawal differently, and the choice of drug will also have an impact on withdrawal symptoms.
Symptoms often have the opposite effect of addictive prescriptions, which can cause the process to feel uncomfortable. However, understanding the general symptoms of withdrawal can help you or your loved one understand why medical detox is beneficial to their prescription drug recovery journey.
Physical Withdrawal Symptoms
Physical symptoms of prescription drug withdrawal can include:
- Aches and pains in muscles and joints
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Loss of appetite
- Stomach cramps
- Dizziness or feeling faint
- Increase in body temperature
- Flu-like symptoms
- Increase in heart rate and blood pressure
- Muscle cramps
- Insomnia
- Seizures
Psychological Withdrawal Symptoms
Psychological symptoms of prescription drug withdrawal can include:
- Anxiety and panic attacks
- Aggression
- Brain fog
- Confusion
- Depression
- Dysphoria
- Irritability
- Paranoia
- Restlessness
- Strong drug cravings
- Suicidal ideation and self-harm intent
Withdrawals can be incredibly painful and even life-threatening. Unfortunately, they are a part of the cycle of addiction and can lead to relapse if not properly managed. This is why seeking treatment when you are ready to break the cycle of addiction is essential for maintaining long-term sobriety.
Prescription Drug Addiction Treatment
There are effective prescription drug treatments available to help those experiencing addiction.
Each stage of treatment will depend on a person’s choice of drug and their unique needs. Effective treatment for prescription drug can include:
- Detox: Prescription drug detox will help flush the drug from the system and help manage withdrawal symptoms. Drug detox should be done under the supervision of a medical professional to keep a person safe and comfortable to limit the chance of relapse.
- Inpatient treatment:Inpatient programs are designed for individuals to stay in a facility while receiving therapy and education courses to help them understand and resolve issues related to their addiction. Inpatient treatment can also help people develop coping strategies to prevent relapse.
- Outpatient treatment: Outpatient programs offer therapies, educational classes, and treatments that are similar to inpatient treatment but allow the person to return home. This program occurs regularly and helps you sharpen life skills and build a community of support.
- Aftercare: Some facilities offer aftercare programs to help people maintain the skills, practices, and community that support sober living.
By determining the appropriate level of care for you or your loved one, the best prescription drug treatment plan can be developed and help to ease the fears and anxiety of starting the recovery journey.
Find Prescription Drug Misuse Help in North Carolina
Seeking help for prescription drug addiction starts with a simple phone call when you or your loved one is ready to begin treatment. If you’re looking for a drug rehab in North Carolina, Tree House Recovery is here to support you.
Tree House Recovery offers holistic therapy and treatment programs for those seeking outpatient care and aftercare support.
Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) in North Carolina
Our goal with our prescription drug treatment facility is to help individuals struggling with addiction achieve lasting recovery by strengthening the mind, body, and social connections essential for a fulfilling life.
Our 90-day intensive outpatient program (IOP) includes group therapy, individualized one-on-one counseling, and physical exercise to promote healing and provide healthy, natural ways to boost endorphins. Tree House’s goal is to help clients reconnect their minds, bodies, and spirits while learning healthy coping mechanisms.
We offer rehab for both men and women in a safe, supportive community where individuals can grow, connect, and encourage one another on their journey toward lasting recovery.
Tree House Recovery’s Prescription Drug Rehabilitation Center in North Carolina
If you are ready to find a prescription drug addiction rehab near you, Tree House Recovery’s North Carolina drug rehab is ready to offer you the best treatment for your unique needs. The path to a fulfilling, sober life can feel daunting, which is why we are here to help.
Call our admissions team at (910) 812-1728 or contact us online to learn how our prescription drug abuse treatment can help you today.