Prescription Drug Addiction

Prescription drug addiction is a serious and quickly growing epidemic. It claims countless victims who fall prey to prescription pill dependency. Addiction to any mind-altering substance is dangerous and potentially lethal. However, since physicians usually administer prescription drugs, those abusing the medications feel their drug abuse is different than street drug abusers. The bottom line is that prescription drug addicts are in fact addicted, just like those who become hooked on drugs like heroin, cocaine, or other illegal substances.

How Prescription Drug Addiction Treatment Starts

Prescription drug addicts use medications to a much greater extent than the purpose for which they’re intended. Whether an individual is simply taking more than his or her dosage or actively abusing pain medications ,using prescription drugs in any way other than indicated can lead to an addiction to the drug. Prescription drug addicts depend on their drugs to make them feel better and can easily experience cravings between usage. Despite the negative consequences, which include relationship difficulties, problems at work, or health complications, the individual will continue abusing the drug.

Red Flags of Prescription Drug Addiction

An addicted individual exhibits many symptoms. Prescription drug abusers may complain about either vague or acute symptoms in order to obtain more medication. Additionally, they may show a lack of interest in treatment options other than medication. A habitual prescription drug abuser is prone to frequent mood swings, anxiety, and physical discomfort. Commonly, most prescription drug addicts have a past history of drug addiction and/or abuse. To hide their addiction, many prescription drug addicts will visit different doctors or pharmacies to get more pills. The addiction may take an individual so far as to steal prescription medication from others.

Once a prescription drug addict stops abusing medication, he or she will experience a variety of uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms such as:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Bone or muscle pain
• Difficulty sleeping or sleeping too much
• Loss of interest in pleasurable activities
• Hallucinations
• Tremors,
• Nausea
• Vomiting

Your Brain’s Addiction to Drugs

Prescription drug addiction changes the brain’s chemistry just as illegal illicit drugs do. This activity makes the brain less effective at producing chemicals such as dopamine or endorphins. When the brain stops making these chemicals, it has to rely on more medication to help it produce more. At this point, once is experiencing physical dependency.

Prescription Drug Addiction and Seniors

Seniors are at particular risk for addictions to prescription drugs because they receive more prescriptions than others. Common reasons for these prescriptions may be to aid irregular sleep patterns, or to recover from a traumatic event such as physical injury or death of a loved one. The individual is able to sleep better or cope with pain or anxiety. However, once the medication runs out, they return to the doctor for another prescription and, thus, the addiction cycle begins.

There is a Medication Addiction Solution

Treatment for prescription drug addiction is available. The Hills Treatment Center’s drug rehabilitation facility can aid in prescription drug treatment through addiction interventions, detox from prescription drugs, and recovery. Enrolling in  inpatient drug rehab where trained professionals can administer and closely monitor medications is key to a successful recovery. An aftercare program can include therapy sessions, 12-step programs, and sober living houses, where a healthy and sober lifestyle is emphasized. Call 844-915-0287 to begin your path to prescription drug addiction recovery today!