Prescription Drug Detox in the United States
The average American is prescribed four different prescription drugs over the course of their lifetime. Many of those drugs treat common health problems, such as high blood pressure, chronic illness, and infections, and are not addictive. However, there are prescription drugs that are both addictive and dangerous. With substance abuse on the rise, treatment centers in the United States have seen increasing admissions of people in need of prescription drug detox.
Today, the number one prescribed drug in the United States is Vicodin. This opioid-based medication is prescribed to moderate to severe physical pain. It is extremely common for Vicodin to be prescribed after a surgical procedure such as knee surgery or a cesarean section, but it is also prescribed to help bring comfort to terminally ill individuals. While Vicodin has helped millions of people, it remains a highly addictive substance that has played a major role in the opioid epidemic that the country is currently facing.
Vicodin is not the sole cause of prescription drug addiction. Instead, there are several prescription medications that are addictive, ranging from stimulants and benzodiazepines to opioids and barbiturates. According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), 18 million people abused prescription drugs within the past year, with an additional 2 million Americans who abused prescription painkillers for the first time.
The truth of the matter is, prescription drug addiction claims thousands of lives each year in the United States. That’s why our staff is committed to providing people with evidence-based prescription drug detox and rehab services.
Commonly Abused Prescription Drugs
Prescription drugs like opioids, benzodiazepines, and stimulants are some of the most commonly abused medications. Other prescription drugs, such as tranquilizers and barbiturates, are also abused at excessive rates.
Many people who are addicted to prescription drugs became addicted after being prescribed one or more drugs to help treat whatever condition they were experiencing at the time. Others develop an addiction after experimenting with these medications. In other cases, some people become addicted not because they are prescribed a medication, but because they purchase it illegally on the streets and abuse the drug regularly – something that happens often when people with mental illness try to self-medicate.
Regardless of how substance use disorder develops, there is no doubt that prescription drugs are widely sought after by drug users across America.
- Benzodiazepines — 1 in 8 Americans abuse benzodiazepines like Ativan, Xanax, Valium, and Klonopin
- Opioids — More than 2 million people are addicted to prescription pain relievers such as morphine, codeine, oxycodone, and hydrocodone
- Stimulants — Approximately 900,000 Americans abuse stimulants like Adderall and Ritalin each month
Out of all of the widely abused prescription drugs, opioids are undoubtedly the most heavily abused, however, benzodiazepines are a close second. Many experts and medical professionals agree that the next drug epidemic the United States will experience is a benzodiazepine epidemic.
Both opioid and benzodiazepine abuse are so worrisome because these drugs lead to physical dependency and painful withdrawal symptoms. Although prescription drug detox programs can help patients manage their withdrawal symptoms, many people are reluctant to seek help for drug and alcohol addiction so they continue using to avoid going into withdrawal.
Prescription Drug Addiction
When addiction occurs, individuals typically display particular signs and symptoms at one point or another. Usually, these symptoms get worse over time as a person’s substance abuse progresses.
- Becomes defensive and/or combative when his or her use is questioned by others
- Withdraws from friends, family, and loved ones
- No longer engages in previously enjoyed activities
- Lacks responsibility in many or all areas of his or her life
- Suffers consequences related to their prescription drug use but continue to use anyway
- Experiences withdrawal symptoms when not using drugs
- Doctor-shopping (seeking prescriptions from multiple doctors)
- Lying to friends and family about behaviors and/or drug use
The symptoms that a person may exhibit when active in his or her addiction can vary based on the type of drug he or she is abusing. For example, someone who is addicted to Adderall may appear excessively energetic and chatty while someone addicted to opioids may seem detached and sedated. However, there is one thing that people who suffer from addiction have in common – drug withdrawal.
Prescription Drug Withdrawal Symptoms
Withdrawal occurs when a person suddenly stops abusing a substance completely or tries to cut back on the amount he or she consumes The development of these symptoms signals physical dependence, which is when there is a physical necessity for the abused prescription drug in order for the body to function. For many people, prescription drug abuse, dependence, and subsequent withdrawal is a major problem. Not only do withdrawals make it hard to get sober, but they can produce life-threatening side effects, which is why you should never detox alone.
Just as individuals addicted to prescription drugs will exhibit varying symptoms of their disease, those who are experiencing prescription drug withdrawal will also display different symptoms based on which substance they are dependent on.
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Headaches
- Muscle aches
- Stomach cramps
- Mood swings
- Cold sweats
- Depression
- Fever
- Seizures
- Hallucinations
Prescription drug withdrawal symptoms range from being mildly uncomfortable to deadly. One of the top reasons why people who attempt to get sober on their own end up relapsing is because of their desire to make the withdrawal symptoms stop. Oftentimes, the only way a person can put an end to withdrawals on their own is to get high again. Detoxing alone isn’t easy. That is why enrolling in prescription drug detox is the best choice for those dependent on any of these substances.
Prescription Drug Detox
Prescription drug detox is the first step on the path towards recovery for many people. After all, managing the emotional and physical symptoms of drug withdrawal isn’t easy. That’s why our prescription drug detox in the United States is dedicated to providing medical care, individualized counseling, and 24/7 medical supervision to each and every one of our patients.
Intake
The first step of prescription drug detox is intake. You will meet with a physician and your primary clinician where they will ask you several questions to get an idea of your situation. This is where you will disclose your medical history, substance abuse patterns, withdrawal symptoms, medications you are taking, and more. This assessment allows our staff to create an individualized treatment plan that will assist you from your first day in detox until the day you complete the treatment program. Furthermore, this step helps ensure your safety and comfort during the drug detox process.
Medical Detox for Prescription Drug Abuse
Withdrawal symptoms aren’t easy to manage as they’re painfully uncomfortable at best. Although our United States detox offers several programs for prescription drug addiction, many people choose medically-assisted treatment. Depending on your needs and the severity of your withdrawal symptoms, we can administer over-the-counter or FDA-approved prescriptions to help lessen your symptoms and relax you during the detox process
While you’re at our facility, you’ll have access to clinicians, doctors, support groups, and other people in recovery. This helps address the many challenges you may face during detox so you can successfully move on to the next phase of addiction treatment.
Drug Rehab & Aftercare
Once you’ve completed the prescription drug detox process, it’s time to start treatment. Addiction usually requires more than detoxification, which is why your clinician will work with you to determine what level of care is needed for your treatment. During rehab, you’ll uncover the underlying causes of your addiction, learn how to heal, and develop new coping mechanisms that support long-term sobriety.
We know that getting sober isn’t easy. Plus, you don’t want to go through detox for prescription drugs again. That’s why we focus on evidence-based and individualized care that really works.
Do You Need Help? Our Prescription Drug Detox in the United States is Here For You.
At A Forever Recovery, we understand how difficult it is to overcome addiction. We also know that with our help and your determination, you can turn your life around for the better.
Don’t wait any longer. If you need help with prescription drug detox, contact our addiction specialists in the United States today.