Certain pharmaceutical medications can produce euphoric effects, even when used properly. Over time, some people have become psychologically or physically dependent upon their medications even when the drugs no longer address their original medical concerns.
Prescription drug abuse is the use of pharmaceutical medication either without a prescription or outside of a physician’s instructions.
Powerful medications can create dependence because they affect the brain, and people who have used them may experience withdrawal symptoms whenever they don’t have their medication. People who have taken certain medications for an extended period can find themselves dependent on drugs—especially pain-killing medications—they may have begun to use while under the care of a physician.
Types of Addictive Prescription Drugs
While not all prescription medications risk addiction, certain drugs – opioids, stimulants, and tranquilizers – might trigger dependency.
Different prescription drugs target different regions of the brain, and any two individuals may respond differently to the same medication. Therefore, each resident must be approached individually based on their own needs.
The most commonly abused prescription medications include:
- Opioids: Opioids are synthetic and natural compounds that affect opioid receptors in the brain. These drugs are commonly prescribed to manage severe pain and can have an intoxicating effect. Prescription opioids include Vicodin and Percocet. Morphine, fentanyl, and heroin are also opioids.
- Stimulants: Stimulant drugs are generally prescribed to treat attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), depression, and narcolepsy. Common prescription stimulant drugs include Adderall, Ritalin, and Dexedrine.
- Depressants: These drugs are sedatives, typically prescribed for anxiety and sleep disorders. The most common are benzodiazepines. Often called benzos, these drugs include Xanax, Valium, and Klonopin.
Addiction to prescription medications is a growing problem in the United States. Because prescription drug addiction is often complicated by drug dependency, inpatient drug rehab is the safest and most effective treatment option.
Managing withdrawal symptoms requires a medically-supervised detox to ensure the patient’s safety. Alpine Recovery Lodge can generally perform the detox from these drugs in-house under the strict supervision of our medical team.
What Treatments Are Available During Prescription Drug Rehab?
Prescription drug rehab at Alpine Recovery Lodge offers a comprehensive treatment program designed to address the complexities of prescription drug dependency.
Several different therapies may be used to treat prescription drug abuse. Behavioral therapy is very effective for treating stimulant addictions and can be given out-resident or in-resident. Motivational interviewing can be very beneficial for individuals in denial about their addiction or if their treatment is not voluntary. These and other therapies–sometimes used in combination—work to overcome the challenges facing addicted individuals and lead to successful recovery.
Prescription Drug Rehab: Utah’s Leading Treatment Facility
Alpine Recovery Lodge offers comprehensive treatment programs for substance use disorder. If you need inpatient drug rehab in Utah, please call to speak with a recovery expert.
Call 877-415-4060 today.
