Prescription Drug Treatment

Prescription drug treatment is just like other drug rehabs in that it helps people conquer their drug addiction problems. In the United States prescription drug abuse is a serious problem. There are many powerful prescription drugs that are being diverted and abused. The primary one is Oxycodone (OxyContin). Other prescription drugs of abuse include Hydrocodone (Vicodin), Hydromorphone (Dilaudid), and Benzodiazepines (Xanax and Valium). It seems there's a pill for whatever ails you. Unfortunately, a large number of those pills are opiates or other highly addictive drugs. Opiates are readily available and quickly become addictive. Because the abuse of prescription drugs is prevalent, there are more prescription drug treatment programs than ever before.

The drug Oxycodone is a synthetic opioid analgesic used for relieving moderate to severe pain. It is similar to Hydrocodone but is more potent and has a greater abuse potential. Hydrocodone is an opioid analgesic used to relieve moderate to moderately severe pain. Hydromorphone is an opioid used to relieve pain by acting on specific areas of the spinal cord and brain that process pain signals from nerves throughout the body. Benzodiazepines are minor tranquilizers that reduce stress and anxiety, relax muscles, and induce sleep. Statistics report that crack cocaine and other stimulant abusers occasionally abuse these prescription drugs to make the negative effects (jitters, inability to sleep, anxiety, etc.) of stimulants more bearable.

Prescription drug addiction is no different from alcoholism or an addiction to any other substance. However, nobody is prescribed alcohol or crack for medical reasons. People who suffer from chronic pain are in a very difficult position. Painkillers do relieve pain. For people who suffer from constant and chronic pain, narcotics may be necessary to allow them to have any quality of life. The downside is the chance of becoming physically dependent and risking the possibility of addiction.

You may be wondering if you or someone you care about is in need of prescription drug treatment. Take the time to consider these signs of prescription drug addiction.

Common Symptoms of Prescription Drug Addiction:

Changes in mood-from a sense of well being to belligerence
False feelings of self-confidence
Increased sensitivity to sights and sounds, including hallucinations
Altered activity levels-such as sleeping for 12-14 hours or frenzied activity lasting for hours
Unpleasant or painful symptoms when the medication is withdrawn

There are many powerful prescription drugs that are being diverted and abused. The primary drug of abuse these days is Oxycodone (OxyContin). Other prescription drugs of abuse include Hydrocodone (Vicodin), Hydromorphone (Dilaudid), and Benzodiazepines (Xanax and Valium). Today, prescription drug abusers and drug dealers are "Doctor Shopping" to get their supply. This is when an individual visits numerous doctors to obtain an extensive amount of prescription drugs. These individuals may have had a legitimate ailment at one point but are diverting the pharmaceuticals onto the street for resale and making a profit from other prescription drug abusers.

Millions of people have successfully recovered from prescription drug addiction because they received the right help and information. Generally speaking, the more help an individual is given to conquer their drug addiction, the more successful their results will be. Also, those who stay in a prescription drug treatment program longer than 3 months usually have better outcomes than those who stay a shorter amount of time.

The ultimate goal of prescription drug treatment is to enable the individual to achieve lasting abstinence from drug use. The short term goal is to help the individual through detox and withdrawal from drugs in addition to improving their ability to function in society again. A drug rehab will help minimize the medical and social complications of drug abuse.

There are many prescription drug treatment programs across the country. Many programs offer detoxification as part of their plan. Detox safely manages the acute physical symptoms of withdrawal which are associated with stopping prescription drug use. This is only the initial step on the road to recovery. Alone, detox does little to change long-term prescription drug addiction.

Numerous insurance plans cover inpatient detox. Some insurance companies will pay for a week, maybe as long as 2 weeks of detox. Also, some may pay for a complete drug rehab program. Keep in mind, a majority of insurance companies will only pay for a 28 day prescription drug rehab. Depending on the individual, this may not be enough time to completely conquer their addiction to prescription drugs. It is important to note, do not try to detox from prescription drugs without professional help.

Some people may feel that they cannot afford to take a week or more out of their lives to spend in a treatment facility recovering from prescription drugs. The demands of children, a job, school, or other responsibilities may make inpatient treatment seem like a luxury. It is not. It is unquestionably better to leave the routine responsibilities of your life for a period of time than it is to suffer the inevitable outcome of prolonged drug addiction.

There are many different types of prescription drug treatment programs available. The most common include: outpatient treatment, inpatient treatment, and residential treatment. Research has shown that the most effective type of treatment for prescription drug addiction is behavioral therapy. Behavioral treatments teach people how to function without drugs, how to handle cravings, how to avoid drugs and situations that could lead to drug use, how to prevent relapse, and how to handle relapse should it occur. When delivered effectively, behavioral treatments such as individual counseling, group or family counseling, contingency management, and cognitive-behavioral therapies can help patients improve their personal relationships and ability to function at work and in the community.

Many successful programs believe that the ability to accomplish a complete recovery from prescription drugs must be based on the belief that an individual is not powerless, and in fact, must take responsibility for his or her own actions. Graduates of a successful prescription drug treatment program are individuals who can stand on their own feet and live drug-free, productive lives.