Prescription drugs are a major problem and a societal epidemic. There are many people in this country who struggle with pain, depression, anxiety, and other issues. They go to trusted doctors looking for relief and healing and doctors prescribe highly addictive pills that do more harm than good. Though these drugs may (or may not) help in the short term, they cause bigger problems in the long run. Addiction can damage relationships, finances, and your health, but The Detox Center’s prescription drug detox program can help. 

Prescription Drug Classifications

There are three basic classifications of prescription drugs that become abused. They are opioids, stimulants, and sedatives (CNS Depressants).

1) Opioids

Opioids are synthetic drugs made from the opium poppy plant that are used to relieve pain. They are generally prescribed by doctors to patients who have come to them for assistance in reducing pain symptoms that have become too overwhelming or unmanageable throw other methods. Examples of these types of narcotic drugs are Methadone, Oxycodone (OxyContin), Percocet (Oxycodone with acetaminophen), Percodan (Oxycodone with aspirin), Meperidine(Demerol), Fentanyl (Duragesic), Hydrocodone with acetaminophen (Lorcet, Lortab, Vicodin), Hydrocodone (Zohydro ER, Hysingla ER), Hydromorphone (Dilaudid)

2) Stimulants

These types of prescription drugs are used to address ADHD by improving attention and focus. They are intended to enhance cognition and elicit a “high feeling” when ingested. Because these drugs stimulate dopamine, the neurochemical responsible for euphoric pleasure in the brain, they are severely abused and very easy to become addicted. Examples of these drugs are Ritalin, Adderall, Concerta, Desoxyn, Dexedrine, and Suprenza.

3) Sedatives/CNS Depressants

Doctors prescribe these drugs to address anxiety and sleeping disorders. By increasing a specific neurotransmitter called GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) that slows down activity within the central nervous system, these drugs make the user calm. These drugs bring about a sedated drowsy effect that many users find helpful to relax. Examples of these types of drugs are Xanax, Ambien, Valium, Mebaral and Nembutal.

In a prescription residential treatment program, you’ll find treatment in a safe, comfortable facility. 

Signs You Need To Detox & Recover From Rx Substance Abuse

Prescription drug addiction is not easy to identify in the beginning. There are no obvious signs that might alert someone that they or a loved one has a problem. Users can go about their days normally and appear to be well adjusted with daily activities at work, home, and other social arenas. However, the longer someone continues to use, the more the signs will begin to manifest.

Here are general signs that someone might be abusing prescription drugs:

• Ingesting more than the medically prescribed dosage
• Notable tolerance to prescribed dosage leading to higher consumption to achieve the desired effect
• A desire to continue using medication even after original symptoms have subsided
• Taking other people’s prescription medication or suspicious behavior to obtain medication
• Exaggeration of, or creation of imaginary symptoms to get medication
• Isolation and withdrawal from social groups (friends, family and professional circles)
• Mood swings and other irregular behavior
• Financial issues that may be the result of excessive purchase and use
• Lack of desire to experiment with non-medication treatment options

Detox in Our Prescription Detox Program

Prescription drugs are extremely dangerous to detox from and it is important that a qualified medical physician is on hand to properly supervise this process. The symptoms of withdrawal can vary and possibly become fatal. There are medications that can be used to help alleviate these symptoms of prescription drug detox. These medications are prescribed with care and professional contemplation under the supervision of our medical staff.

Here are some of the symptoms one might experience while going through the detox process:

• Anxiety
• Insomnia
• Agitation
• High blood pressure
• Muscle cramps and discomfort
• Chills and sweats
• Fatigue
• Nausea and/or vomiting
• Tremors
• Depression
• Suicidal thoughts
• Mood swings
• Loss of appetite
• Irregular heart rate
• Increased body temperature
• Hallucinations

In detox center, you can go through detox and addiction therapy programs safely with the round-the-clock supervision of our experienced team.

Risks of Prescription Drug Addiction

Catching addiction early is crucial. Because addiction signs can be subtle, it is often the case that users will end up overdosing before they or their loved ones have even realized they have a problem.

With prolonged usage, the user will develop a tolerance causing them to increase dosages. These increases will not improve the efficacy of the drug but will guarantee physical dependence on the drug. Once this dependence is established and the drug is not available the withdrawal symptoms discussed earlier will begin with cravings and other uncomfortable conditions. The psychological dependency is quite powerful and makes it almost impossible to stop using, even if someone wants to.

Opioid Risks

Opioids slow down breathing and can stop a user’s breathing altogether, causing death. Added to this is the disruption of heart rhythm which can also be life-threatening. Opioids are also depressants that cause drowsiness and poor decision making. An overdose is triggered when the user consumes too much of the opioid thinking that more will reduce pain better. This is actually not necessarily true. More of an opioid does little to further reduce pain, but it absolutely does increase the chances of complications that can be fatal.

Stimulant Risks

As a user increases the quantity and frequency of their amphetamine habit, they fall into a cycle of medicating and then crashing. Coming down from these drugs will often result in long episodes of depression, fatigue, anxiety, and ultimately a craving for more. If a user makes the mistake of ingesting an extremely high dose of amphetamines, they are at serious risk of overdose which may lead to a seizure, coma, or even death.

CNS Depressant Risks

Sedatives present a high risk of accidental overdose. This can occur when a user ingests a first dosage, and then in a drowsy and confused state of mind, mistakenly ingests another dose. There is a fine line between the amount that allows one to sleep and the amount that can push someone over the edge towards death. Mixing sedatives with other substances like alcohol, other meds, or heroin increases the risk of fatalities. This is never a good idea and the majority of these scenarios will often end in overdose complications or death.

Contact Our Prescription Drug Detox Center

When you or your loved one is ready to break free from prescription drug addiction, reach out to The Detox Center. We provide high-quality care in our beautiful facility. In our prescription drug detox program, you’ll find the treatment you need to begin rebuilding your life. Reach out to learn more.