Call NowPrescription drug addiction (also called prescription drug rehab) treatment is a complex disorder that touches every part of a person’s life. NuLife Behavioral Health Massachusetts in Worcester and Framingham offers a comprehensive approach to treating this form of addiction, employing evidence-based therapies and a range of services to help people regain control of their lives.
How Is Prescription Drug Addiction Different From Addiction To Street Drugs?
Prescription drug addiction and addiction to street drugs may seem similar, but key differences set them apart. One of the most significant differences is the perception of safety. Prescription drugs are often considered safer because they are medically prescribed and regulated. This perception can lead to a false sense of security, making it easier for individuals to misuse them. On the other hand, street drugs are illegal and generally considered dangerous, so the risk of addiction is often more immediately apparent.
Another difference lies in the accessibility and social acceptance of prescription drugs. They are readily available and often found in home medicine cabinets, making them more accessible than street drugs. The social stigma associated with using street drugs is generally much higher than that of using prescription medications, which can lead people to underestimate the addictive potential of prescription drugs.
Additionally, the path to addiction can differ. Prescription drug addiction often starts with a legitimate medical need, such as pain relief after surgery or treatment for anxiety. Over time, the user may develop a tolerance and start taking higher doses, leading to addiction. Street drug use, conversely, often begins with recreational use and can escalate into addiction more quickly.
Both types of addiction require specialized treatment, but the approach may vary. Treatment for prescription drug addiction often involves tapering off the medication. It may include a focus on treating the underlying medical condition that led to the prescription in the first place.
Treatment for street drug addiction usually involves detox and a more intensive focus on behavioral therapy. Regardless of the type of drug involved, specialized centers like NuLife Behavioral Health in Massachusetts offer comprehensive treatment programs for all kinds of addictions.
What Are the Signs of Prescription Drug Addiction?
Knowing the signs of prescription drug addiction is the first step toward seeking help and recovery. Here’s a more detailed look at each sign:
- Behavioral Changes: You may notice sudden mood swings, irritability, or even bouts of aggression that weren’t present before. These behavioral changes can be a red flag that the medication affects more than just the condition it was prescribed to treat.
- Physical Symptoms: Physical signs like weight loss, changes in sleep patterns, or neglect of personal hygiene can indicate a growing dependence on prescription drugs. These symptoms often worsen over time, leading to more severe health issues if not addressed.
- Financial Issues: If you find yourself spending an excessive amount of money to obtain prescription drugs, it’s a strong indicator of developing addiction. Financial strain can lead to other problems, such as debt or legal issues, further complicating the situation.
What Are the Risk Factors for Prescription Drug Abuse?
Knowing the risk factors for prescription drug addiction can help identify those more susceptible to developing an addiction.
- Family History: If addiction has been a recurring issue in your family, you may be genetically predisposed to also becoming addicted. A family history of addiction can increase your risk, making it crucial to inform your healthcare provider about this background.
- Mental Health Conditions: Individuals with mental health concerns like depression or anxiety are often more susceptible to addiction. The co-occurrence of mental health conditions and substance abuse, known as dual diagnosis, can complicate both the addiction and the mental health treatment.
- Peer Pressure and Social Factors: Your social environment plays a large role in developing an addiction, especially around people who misuse prescription drugs. Peer pressure or the normalization of drug misuse in your social group can make you more likely to start misusing prescription drugs yourself.
How Does Someone Become Addicted to Prescription Drugs?
Understanding how someone becomes addicted to prescription drugs can help in prevention and treatment. Here’s a closer look at each contributing factor:
- Overuse: Taking more than the prescribed amount of medication can quickly lead to physical dependence and addiction. Overuse often starts innocently, perhaps to achieve quicker or more potent relief, but can escalate into a serious problem. this is one of the most common gateways to a prescription drug addiction. In 2021, over 14 million people reported misusing prescription drugs.
- Long-term Use: Using prescription drugs for an extended period can increase the risk of becoming addicted, even if you’re taking the medication as prescribed. The longer you’re exposed to the drug, the more likely your body is to develop a tolerance, requiring higher doses for the same effect and potentially leading to addiction.
- Self-medication: Some people start using prescription drugs to cope with emotional or psychological issues, not just for their intended medical use. Self-medicating can be particularly risky because it often bypasses medical advice and monitoring, increasing the risk of addiction.
What Kinds of Prescription Drugs Are Most Likely to Cause Addiction?
Prescription drugs, while beneficial for treating various ailments, can sometimes lead to addiction. These are the drug families that have the highest incidence of addiction:
Opioids: The Painkillers with a High Risk of Addiction
Opioids are the most commonly prescribed medications for pain relief. They include drugs like oxycodone, hydrocodone, and morphine. While they are effective in treating all levels of pain, they also have a high potential for abuse and addiction. The euphoric feeling that opioids can provide is what often leads to misuse. Over time, a person’s body develops a tolerance to the drug. Higher doses are necessary to achieve the same level of pain relief, increasing the risk of addiction.
Benzodiazepines: Anxiety Management and the Slippery Slope to Addiction
Benzodiazepines like Xanax, Valium, and Ativan are commonly prescribed for anxiety management and sleep disorders. These medications work by depressing the central nervous system, inducing a calming effect. However, they also have a high potential for abuse. The relaxed state can become addictive, and misuse can lead to physical and psychological dependence. Moreover, mixing benzodiazepines with other substances like alcohol increases a person’s risk of overdose and death.
Stimulants: Not Just for Attention Disorders
Stimulants such as Adderall and Ritalin are often prescribed for conditions like narcolepsy and certain sleep disorders in adults. These medications increase energy, focus, and euphoric feelings, making them highly susceptible to abuse. While they are not typically as addictive as opioids or benzodiazepines, the potential for addiction still exists. Misuse can lead to various health issues, including heart problems and severe mental health conditions like anxiety and paranoia.
The Risk of Mixing Different Types of Prescription Drugs
Key Takeaways.
What's the Difference Between Addiction and Dependence?
Knowing the difference between addiction and dependence is crucial for anyone seeking help for prescription drug misuse. While the terms are often used interchangeably, they refer to different aspects of substance use and abuse.
- Addiction is a complex health condition characterized by an overwhelming urge to continue taking a substance despite harmful consequences. It’s a physical and psychological issue, affecting a person’s body, emotional health, and mental well-being. When you’re addicted to a prescription drug, you may be constantly thinking about your next dose, even to the detriment of your job, relationships, and other responsibilities. You might engage in risky behaviors to obtain the drug, such as doctor shopping or even illegal activities. Addiction often leads to a downward spiral affecting every facet of your life, from health to social interactions.
- Dependence, on the other hand, is a physiological state where your body has adapted to the presence of a drug. If you stop taking the medicine suddenly, you’ll experience withdrawal symptoms ranging from mild discomfort to severe and life-threatening conditions. Dependence can occur even when a medication is taken as prescribed. It’s a natural, physical response to the ongoing presence of certain substances in your system.
While dependence can accompany addiction, it’s also possible to be dependent on a medication without being addicted to it. For example, someone taking pain medication for a chronic condition may be dependent but not necessarily addicted if they are not engaging in compulsive behaviors or experiencing negative consequences due to their medication use.
Can't My Doctor Just Adjust My Prescription?
Adjusting a prescription upward can be risky and doesn’t address the underlying issue of potential addiction. Over time, some medications will cause your body to build up a tolerance to a prescription medication. Increasing the dosage can accelerate the process of becoming physically dependent and psychologically addicted to the medication.
If your medication doesn’t seem as effective as it once was, it’s crucial to consult with healthcare professionals who specialize in addiction treatment rather than merely seeking a higher dosage from your doctor.
Find Help at NuLife Behavioral Health
If you or your loved ones notice signs of addiction, seeking help can save your life and get you back on track.
NuLife Addiction Treatment Center offers a range of services:
- Individual Counseling: NuLife offers one-on-one sessions with a licensed professional, providing a tailored approach to understanding and treating your specific addiction and any co-occurring mental health conditions.
- Group Therapy: In the group therapy sessions at NuLife, you’ll find peer support and shared experiences that can offer unique insights into your journey toward recovery.
- Family Therapy: NuLife involves your loved ones in the treatment process through family therapy, recognizing that addiction affects not just the individual but also their surrounding relationships.
- 12-Step Program: NuLife incorporates the 12-Step Program into its treatment plans, offering a structured, spiritual approach to addiction recovery.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: This evidence-based therapy is used at NuLife to help you understand the thoughts and feelings that influence your behaviors, particularly those related to addiction.
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy: A specialized form of cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy at NuLife teaches you behavioral skills to help you handle stress, manage your emotions, and improve your relationships.
- Holistic Healing: NuLife offers integrative therapy approaches like experiential therapy, focusing on holistic healing that addresses not just the symptoms but the whole person.
Prescription Drug Addiction Treatment at NuLife MA
Partial Hospitalization Program
NuLife Behavioral Health Worcester and Framingham offer a partial hospitalization program (PHP) for treating prescription drug addiction. A partial hospitalization program (PHP) is much like a residential treatment program, except PHP patients go home in the evening. It’s a perfect treatment choice for people needing more help than traditional outpatient visits, but don’t require full-time residential care. Partial hospitalization spans 4 to 5 hours a day, 5 days weekly.
Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)
An intensive outpatient program, or IOP, also allows participants the freedom to live at home. It’s an ideal treatment option for those who have completed our partial hospitalization program. Intensive outpatient programs offer 2 or 3 hours of therapy several times a week.
With the right addiction treatment program, prescription drug addiction is treatable. NuLife Behavioral Health Massachusetts is here to help you every step of the way.
