Prescription Drug Addiction and Rehab in Durham, NC – (919) 267-1662
Although prescription drugs can be safely used with a legal prescription to alleviate the symptoms of a mental illness while more permanent treatment options are being explored, long-term use can easily lead to abuse and addiction. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), at least 52 million Americans have used prescription drugs for nonmedical purposes, and that number continues to grow.
Why Do People Abuse Prescription Drugs?
Many people believe that since prescription drugs are given by a doctor, they must be safer than street drugs. Teens especially will take prescription medications for this reason, and many of them can get these drugs from a friend or relative with no problem. They are also easy to get from the Internet, which means that the stigma and danger associated with obtaining drugs from a dealer on the street is eliminated. But the problem isn’t limited to teens; many adults have little problem obtaining a legal prescription for a variety of medications, whether or not they have a legitimate need. Painkillers, such as opiates and opioids, are among the most commonly abused prescription drugs in the US.
Dependence Versus Addiction
The idea that prescription medications are safer than street drugs is, in actuality, a myth. Without careful supervision from a trusted professional physician, use can spiral into abuse very quickly, with effects just as devastating as those caused by illegal substances. Abuse almost always leads to some level of physical dependence. As your body and brain become accustomed to the substance, they start to rely on it to act, think, and feel normal. This is because long-term abuse causes changes in the chemical balance and structure of your brain, and these changes can become permanent with chronic use.
Addiction is more than just a physical dependence on a drug, however. A true addiction is also characterized by a mental and even emotional dependence on a substance. Because a majority of prescription medications are prescribed for mental disorders such as depression or anxiety, the presence of these disorders are often actually a significant factor in the development of a mental addiction. Even users of prescription drugs who don’t have a prescription often find that their drug of choice alleviates symptoms of an undiagnosed mental illness, and begin to believe that they need the drug to feel ‘normal’.
How Can You Tell if It’s an Addiction?
If you suspect that you or a loved one is addicted to prescription medication, your gut instinct is probably right. There are some signs of addiction to look out for, however:
- Tolerance (needing more of a drug to feel the same effect)
- Mood swings
- Irritability
- Irrational anger
- Problems at work or job loss
- Relationship problems
- Inability to find enjoyment in previously enjoyable activities
A Holistic Approach to Prescription Drug Addiction
A quality treatment center will offer a holistic approach to treatment. In addition to medical detox, the process of eliminating the drug safely from your body, holistic drug treatment will address the underlying factors that contribute to your addiction. Using both conventional and alternative therapies, a treatment plan will be specifically tailored to each individual to help improve outcomes and teach you ways to prevent relapse in the future. Contact Durham Drug Rehab Centers at (919) 267-1662 today to get your prescription drug addiction rehab journey started, and find your way to a healthier and sober life.
