Painkiller Addiction and Prescription Drug Addiction Treatment
Today we have prescription drugs that can treat a wide range of physical ailments and mental disorders. They can be used to treat pain, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, sleep disorders and everything in between. Prescription drug use is on the rise, but it that doesn’t mean each patient is finding relief. Some patients end up in a worse condition, and many people are taking prescription painkillers and other medications that they haven’t been prescribed.
Prescription drug abuse has become a serious problem in the U.S. It’s a crisis that is affecting all age groups, in particular teens, young adults and the elderly. The National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics notes that annually 16.3 million Americans 12 and older abuse prescription medications. Of those, 2 million have developed an addiction – but only 12.7% want to acknowledge it.
The saddest part is less than 10% of abusers misuse medications in order to get high. When a doctor prescribes medication they do so knowing that the prescription drugs could have negative consequences if they aren’t taken exactly as prescribed. Even accidental misuse can be detrimental.
One of the worse medical consequences is drug dependence. Some prescription drugs are highly addictive, and if they aren’t taken correctly it doesn’t take much for it to turn into substance abuse.
If you or a loved one are struggling with prescription drug or painkiller addiction seeking professional help is the most important thing you can do. Professional prescription drug addiction treatment is much more effective than trying to recover on your own.
Substance use disorders are a serious condition with destructive and life-threatening effects. At Any Length Retreat, we offer men’s addiction treatment that addresses a variety of substance use disorders. Our retreats can help you successfully conquer your prescription drug addiction. Contact us to get help today.
Types of Prescription Medications That Are Commonly Misused
There are three main categories of prescription drugs that are commonly misused and can result in a substance abuse disorder.
Prescription Opioids and Painkillers
- Hydrocodone (Vicodin)
- Oxycodone (OxyContin, Percocet)
- Fentanyl
- Codeine
Prescription Stimulants
- Adderall
- Ritalin
- Concerta
Prescription Benzodiazepines/Anti-Anxiety Medications
- Valium
- Klonopin
- Xanax
- Ativan
Why Prescription Painkiller Addiction Treatment is Vital
Just because a doctor has prescribed a drug doesn’t mean it is not potentially dangerous or habit-forming. Studies show prescription drugs, such as opioid painkillers, have addictive properties equal to those of illicit substances like heroin. In fact, some of today’s illicit drugs were once used as medications themselves. Their pain-relieving, numbing or stimulating characteristics were not always known to be dangerous, and since they were highly effective for certain medical purposes, their chemical structures now form the basis for many modern prescription drugs.
Pharmaceutical companies have specifically formulated today’s medications to mimic the effects of these illicit substances, while reducing – though not eliminating – their harmful properties. Misuse or recreational use of these substances can lead to drug tolerance, physical dependence or addiction, just as easily as with illicit drugs.
Prescription Drug Abuse is Part of the Opioid Epidemic
Many people think prescription painkillers are vastly different than heroin when in fact they are very similar. Many painkillers that are prescribed by doctors are opioids just like heroin. We now know that prescription painkiller misuse helped to fuel the opioid epidemic. Prescription drug misuse led to physical dependence and opioid addiction. Often people who are addicted to prescription drugs and painkillers will turn to illicit street drugs whenever they can no longer get the pills or they no longer feel the same effects.
Unfortunately, many people who are addicted to opioid painkillers begin using heroin to satisfy their addiction. Others use fentanyl, an even more powerful opioid that can be 50 times stronger than heroin. It’s also even more deadly and has been attributed to the spike in opioid overdose deaths in recent years.The need for strong prescription drug addiction treatment is clear. Abusing prescription drugs is a slippery slope that can quickly led to opioid addiction or even heroine addiction. Any Length Retreat provides holistic pill and prescription painkiller addiction treatment for men in Austin, TX. Our retreats take a unique approach to help men recover from substance use disorders by building a supportive community and treatment plan that’s based on proven therapies.
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Signs and Symptoms of Prescription Drug Abuse
Prescription drug abuse can be difficult to spot at first if the person is taking medication that has been prescribed by their doctor. They may start off using prescription medications properly to manage acute and chronic pain, treat anxiety or overcome sleep disorders. But if prescription medicine is taken in a way that isn’t recommended – too large a dose or doses that are too frequent – that’s when a person can become physically dependent and an addiction can form.
One of the most common signs and symptoms of prescription drug abuse, no matter what is taken, is misusing prescription medications. When people misuse prescription drugs you’ll notice they are taking medications more than recommended or after they should be off the medication entirely.
Other signs and symptoms that someone is addicted to prescription medicines varies depending on the substance that’s taken.
Prescription Opioids and Painkillers
- Worse pain despite higher doses of medication
- Drowsiness even with adequate sleep
- Constipation
- Confusion and mental fogginess
- Poor coordination
- Slow breathing
Prescription Stimulants
- High levels of energy
- Hyper alertness
- High blood pressure
- Elevated body temperature
- Lack of appetite/weight loss
- Insomnia/difficulty sleeping
- Increased anxiety
- Paranoia
- Easily agitated
Prescription Benzodiazepines/Anti-Anxiety Medications
- Higher doses to relieve symptoms
- Drowsiness despite getting adequate sleep
- Poor coordination
- Confusion
- Slurred speech
- Difficulty remembering things
- Inability to concentrate
- Slow breathing
Prescription Drug Addiction Treatment in Texas
Prescription drug abuse is an escalating problem across the United States, and in Texas specifically. According to a recent report, “Substance Abuse Trends in Texas,” hydrocodone is the most prevalent prescription medication used for non-medical purposes. Recent problems in Texas center around illicit pain clinics, pharmacies and physicians, all prescribing an excess of three desired pharmaceuticals: hydrocodone, carisoprodol (Soma) and alprazolam (Xanax). Oxycontin also makes the list of highly sought-after prescription medications in Texas, according to the study. The Houston Chronicle reports that, “over half of all fatal drug overdoses [in the state] involve prescription medication.”
The need for strong prescription drug addiction treatment in Texas is clear. Any Length Retreat provides high-quality men’s addiction treatment in Austin, TX. Our goal is to stop the prescription drug epidemic from becoming worse by saving the lives of those suffering from addiction and helping family members through the storm.
How to Help My Loved One Fight Prescription Drug & Painkiller Addiction
It’s easy to feel helpless watching someone struggle with addiction to prescription drugs – especially if that someone is your husband, son, father, or best friend. It’s tempting to try and care for them yourself. You want to provide them with whatever love, support, or money will get them through this. You want to give them shelter and protect them from themselves. The hard truth is addiction to prescription drugs is extremely difficult to break. It’s important that your loved one seeks professional help to manage withdrawal symptoms, understand the affects of prescription drug misuse and overcome their prescription medication substance use disorder.
At Any Length Retreat, we ensure that your loved one is guided safely and successfully through the various stages of treatment so they can overcome addiction and start life anew. Getting help for your loved one can be the most important thing you do to help them in their battle with prescription or painkiller addiction.
If you need assistance talking to your loved one about treatment, please reach out to us any time of day. It’s free of charge and there’s absolutely no commitment. We are here to help you!
Recovery From Prescription Drug & Painkiller Addiction
At Any Length Retreat we host retreats that focus on healing the whole individual – mind, body, and spirit. By addressing the inherent causes of addiction rather than just their symptoms we help men and their families achieve lifelong recovery.
We provide a number of prescription drug abuse solutions including:
- Residential Rehab
- 30 Day Intensive
- 60 Day
- 90 Day
- Individualized Care and Treatment Planning
- 12 Step Facilitation
- Social Learning Therapy
- Community Involvement
- Group Therapy
- Fitness & Wellness
- Mindfulness & Meditation
Get the Highest-Rated Texas Prescription Drug Addiction Treatment
If you or your loved one are struggling with prescription drug abuse, please contact us today. We are here to help you 24/7, free of charge and with absolutely no commitment.
Our retreats are for men of all ages from early teens to seniors. The best thing you can do for yourself or your loved one is reach out for help. Take the first step toward your best life today with the highest-rated Texas prescription drug addiction treatment. Our compassionate and supportive admissions staff is standing by to help you anytime you need it.
*Any Length Retreat is a supportive, educational recovery system and community. It is not a substitute for psychotherapy, clinical or medical treatment for substance use disorders or mental health disorders.