It can be difficult to discern when it’s appropriate to get admitted into a prescription drug addiction treatment program. Not only are the symptoms of prescription drug abuse hard to observe when it first begins, but medical needs can justify most prescription drug doses. Prescription drugs for anxiety, attention disorders, pain, and sleep troubles are most commonly abused.
Physicians can prescribe drugs to their patients and often do so. Unfortunately, some patients become dependent on these prescription drugs and require professional addiction treatment to stop using these strong drugs. This type of addiction may be developed slowly or very quickly, and most people won’t notice when they shift from recreational use to intense and dependent abuse. If you’re looking for a men’s rehab center in Texas, contact Arbor Behavioral Healthcare today. Call 844.413.2690 or reach out to our team online.
Which Prescription Drugs Are Highly Addictive?
While observed signs of prescription drug addiction would be the best way to figure out if someone is struggling with an addiction, you can also check their medicine cabinets to see if they have any of these commonly abused prescription drugs nearby:
- OxyContin: This is the brand-name version of oxycodone, an opioid. OxyContin is prescribed for pain management. Doses of this drug can induce a dopamine release that results in a “high” or a rush in euphoric feelings.
- Xanax: This is the brand-name version of alprazolam, a benzodiazepine. Xanax is prescribed for anxiety management. However, exposure to benzodiazepine for more than one week is associated with a significant risk of developing a substance use disorder.
- Ambien: This is the brand-name version of zolpidem, a sedative or hypnotic drug. Ambien is prescribed as a sleeping aid, typically for patients that need help to sleep due to pain.
- Nembutal: This is the brand-name version of pentobarbital, a barbiturate that acts as a sedative. People often develop a tight tolerance for this drug, leading to overuse and eventual addiction.
- Adderall: This is the brand-name version of amphetamine/dextroamphetamine, a central nervous system (CNS) stimulant. Adderall is primarily used to treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It’s highly addictive because it raises dopamine levels and creates a feeling of euphoria.
What Are the Signs of Prescription Drug Abuse?
Even someone that follows their prescriptions to the letter can have their routine and medically needed drug use escalate to abuse. However, there will be signs of prescription drug addiction that you can watch out for:
- Forging or stealing prescriptions
- Mood swings
- Poor decision-making
- Requesting early prescription refills
- Seeking prescriptions from more than one doctor
- Taking higher doses than prescribed
There are many more signs of prescription drug abuse, but they differ based on the chosen prescription drug. The signs above apply to all types of prescription drug addiction.
What Should a Client Expect From a Prescription Drug Addiction Treatment Program?
Suppose you or someone you care about is exhibiting symptoms of prescription drug abuse. In that case, it’s time to consider getting admitted into a prescription drug addiction treatment program — which is often organized into certain stages:
- Assessment: Before getting admitted into a treatment center, the staff must first evaluate a client. This stage may involve an intake interview and even some medical exams and tests.
- Detoxification: This is often a requirement of other therapeutic forms of care that help treat addiction. Detoxification requires the complete cleansing of the client’s body. Sometimes, this stage requires medication-assisted treatment (MAT), including FDA-approved prescription drug doses. The client can’t move on to further treatment until their mental and physical health is stabilized.
- Further Treatment: Standard addiction treatment programs often offer two distinctive types of care. The first type is behavioral treatment in the form of therapy sessions. The other is medication, which only some clients need. FDA-approved drugs like methadone or naltrexone may help clients slowly taper off their addictive substance use or deal with post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS).
- Aftercare Plan: Before leaving a standard addiction treatment program, clients are often given an aftercare plan that helps them avoid relapsing. This plan can include routine medical tests, membership to local support groups, and more.
Ready To Learn More About the Arbor Behavioral Healthcare’s Prescription Drug Addiction Treatment Programs?
If you’re looking for a men’s rehab center in Texas, contact Arbor Behavioral Healthcare today. Call 844.413.2690 or reach out to our team online.