The Blanchard Institute
Prescription Drug Treatment
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It’s hard to believe that prescription drugs are the third most common cause of death in the US. If you’ve never taken a prescription drug, it’s easy to imagine that they’re safe and effective. But if you have taken them, you know that they can be both.
The problem is that most people don’t know how to tell the difference between which drugs are safe and which ones are deadly. And even if you do know what to look out for, finding a doctor who will prescribe the right drug for your needs can be extremely difficult.
That’s why we’re here! We’ve compiled all of the information you need about prescription drug treatment and addiction into one place. If you’re looking for information about how to get the right prescription for your needs, we can help. If you’re worried about how safe and effective these drugs are, we’ve got that covered too!
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Understanding Prescription Drug Abuse
Prescription drug abuse is one of the most common forms of substance abuse in America today. It’s also something that many people don’t understand, because it doesn’t involve illegal drugs or alcohol—it involves prescription medications that are meant to be used to treat various illnesses and disorders.
Many people think that prescription drugs are strictly regulated by the government, but that’s not always the case. In fact, some people who get addicted to prescription drugs may find it easier than ever before to get their hands on them, as well as other drugs like heroin and cocaine.
There are several different kinds of prescription drugs that can be abused: painkillers (also known as opioids), stimulants (such as Adderall), sedatives, tranquilizers, and antidepressants. Each kind of drug has different effects on your body and mind when you take them recreationally. For example:
Opioids cause a euphoric high that can make you feel relaxed or even sleepy; they can also cause nausea, vomiting, constipation and diarrhea; they can also cause respiratory depression (which means your breathing slows down) which can lead to death if not treated immediately!
Stimulants like Adderall will give you energy and make you feel more focused which makes it great for studying or getting things done; but the effect wears off quickly, so you have to take more and more of the drug—this can lead to withdrawal symptoms when you stop taking it.
Sedatives like Xanax can make you feel relaxed and drowsy—sometimes too drowsy! Antidepressants work differently for different people: some people feel better after taking them, while others don’t notice any difference at all.
In essence, the market is filled with different types of drugs, each targeting a specific need or problem. You should be very careful when choosing which one to take and make sure that it’s not going to do more harm than good!
Prescription Drug Abuse Risk Factors
Prescription drug abuse is a serious problem, and it’s one that can be hard to identify. If you think someone you love might be abusing prescription medications, there are a few common risk factors you should look out for.
First, if someone is taking more than the prescribed amount of drugs, that’s a sign that they may be abusing them. The same goes for using them in ways other than how the doctor prescribed—for example, crushing pills instead of swallowing them whole or snorting them instead of taking them orally. The same principle applies if someone is taking medication even after they’ve been told not to by their doctor or pharmacist—it could mean they think they need more of the drug than they actually do.
Finally, if a person is experiencing negative side effects as a result of their medication use (like nausea), that could also indicate abuse—they may be taking too much of their medication because they don’t want to go through those symptoms anymore! It’s important that if you notice any of these signs in yourself or someone else, you seek help right away so we can get ahead of the problem before it becomes worse.
Prescription Drug Treatment Options
Have you or someone you love been struggling with prescription drug abuse?
You’re not alone. Prescription drug abuse is a common problem, and it can be hard to know where to turn for help.
Fortunately, there are many different options available for prescription drug treatment, including:
Medication-Assisted Treatment
One of the best options is medication-assisted treatment (MAT), which involves taking medications such as methadone or buprenorphine to manage cravings and withdrawal symptoms so that recovering addicts can overcome their addiction more effectively.
Group Therapy
Another option is group therapy, which can help people learn how to cope with stress and negative emotions, build healthy relationships with others, and develop self-esteem and self-worth. This type of therapy also helps addicts identify triggers that lead them down the path towards drug use so that they can avoid these triggers in the future.
Individual Counseling
Individual counseling can also be helpful in treating prescription drug abuse because it allows addicts to talk through their problems one-on-one with a trained professional who can provide insight into what led them down this path, as well as offer support as they work towards sobriety.
Outpatient Programs
Outpatient programs too can help, particularly if they offer individual counseling as part of their treatment plan. Outpatient programs typically meet once or twice a week for several hours at a time, allowing patients to continue living at home while receiving help in prescription drug treatment. This type of program may be beneficial because it allows patients to stay in their normal routine while still accessing the support they need in order to overcome their addiction.
Behavioral Therapy
Last but not the least is behavioral therapy. Behavioral therapy may be used in conjunction with other forms of treatment, but it can also stand alone. It aims to help patients identify and change any behaviors that are contributing to their substance abuse problem. This type of therapy is often used on its own because it is less intensive than other types of treatment and focuses on changing behaviors rather than addressing underlying issues like depression or anxiety.
Conclusion
It is important to remember that not all forms of prescription drug treatment options are right for every individual. Treatment should be tailored specifically to the needs of each person and may include different elements, such as medication-assisted therapy or behavioral therapy.
For more personalized assistance, consider taking advantage of TBI’s custom tailored treatment services. Our professionals are available to help you determine the best options for your unique needs and provide you with the tools to maintain sobriety and prevent relapse.
What Are The 3 Categories Of Prescription Drugs?
The three most commonly used prescription drugs fall into three classes:
- Opioids
- Central Nervous System (CNS) Depressants
- Stimulants
How Do I Stop Taking My Prescription Safely?
Many factors need to be considered before you stop any prescription drug that has been prescribed for you, that’s why it is so important to talk to your doctor first.
Discontinuing a medication abruptly can often be associated with unpleasant side effects and worsening of symptoms based on your drug treatment, its chemistry profile, and how your drug is broken down (metabolized) and excreted from your body.
Ideally, talk to your doctor about how, when (and if) to stop a drug when it is first prescribed. If you require prescription drug treatment please reach out to us today.
Why Are Young People The Main Target Of Prescription Drug Abuse?
Surveys indicate that young people abuse prescription drugs to help them alleviate the stress of school, social or family problems. Peer pressure also plays a role, as in when a young person sees those around him or her seeming to enjoy themselves and feels that they should join in so as to “fit in” better.
The fact that prescription drugs are freely prescribed by physicians can cause some young people to feel that they are safer to abuse than prescription drugs but the fact is that many of them are just as addictive of street drugs.
Are Prescription Drugs Safe To Take While Pregnant?
Some prescription medications taken by a pregnant woman can cause her baby to develop dependence, which can result in withdrawal symptoms after birth, known as neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS). This can require a prolonged stay in neonatal intensive care and, in the case of opioids, treatment with medication. Women should consult with their doctors to determine which medications they can continue taking during pregnancy. Contact us today for prescription drug treatment options and more information regarding addiction.
