a person taking drugs in need of prescription drug rehab

Although prescription drugs are legal and overseen by doctors, their misuse can wreak havoc on a person’s brain, body, and life. Unfortunately, the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) estimates that 18 million people misused prescription drugs for non-medical reasons in 2017. Chronic misuse can lead to increased risk of heart attacks, seizures, strokes, cerebral hemorrhage, psychosis, liver, kidney, and lung damage. Luckily, our substance abuse programs can help people addicted to prescription drugs get on the path to long-term recovery. Contact Solution Based Treatment & Detox by calling 833.999.1941 for help with a prescription drug addiction in Murrieta, CA.

Opioids

Opioids are painkillers. As such, doctors prescribe them to help treat severe pain caused by injury, surgery or accidents. Opioid use also help ease persistent pain associated with diseases like cancer or chronic headaches and toothaches.

Some of the most popular opioids prescribed by doctors include:

  • Vicodin (Hydrocodone and acetaminophen)
  • OxyContin and Percocet (oxycodone)
  • Kadian and Avinza (morphine)
  • Codeine
  • Fentanyl
  • Carafentanyl

Stimulants

Stimulants are medicines that invigorate the brain, speeding up mental processes, increasing energy, and improving attention spans. They also increase alertness and elevate blood pressure as well as heart and respiratory rates. Generally, doctors prescribe stimulants to treat ADHD and narcolepsy.

Some of the most popular stimulants prescribed by doctors include:

  • Adderall (Amphetamine)
  • Concerta and Ritalin (Methylphenidate)
  • Dexedrine (Dextroamphetamine)

Depressants

Depressants are medicines that include sedatives, tranquilizers, and hypnotics. They slow brain activity which makes them ideal for relieving anxiety and calming nerves. They also help ease muscle spasms and prevent seizures. Typically, depressants fall into three categories: benzodiazepines, non-benzodiazepine sedative-hypnotics, and barbiturates.

Barbiturates

Barbiturates are drugs that cause relaxation and euphoria. While doctors used to consider them safe, today they’re considered high-risk drugs and are not prescribed often. Some barbiturates that are still prescribed today include:

  • Amytal (Amobarbital)
  • Butisol (Butabarbital)
  • Nembutal (Pentobarbital)
  • Seconal (Secobarbital sodium)
  • Brietal (Methohexital)
  • Pentothal (Thiopental)

Benzodiazepines

Most physicians use benzodiazepines, known as benzos as an alternative to barbiturates. Benzos are sedatives. Doctors use them to treat seizures, anxiety, panic attacks, and insomnia. Popular benzodiazepines include:

  • Xanax (Alprazolam)
  • Librium (Chlordiazepoxide)
  • Tranxene (Clorazepate)
  • Valium (Diazepam)
  • Dalmane (Flurazepam)
  • Estazolam

Hypnotics

Non-benzodiazepine hypnotics also have a sedative effect on the body. The most common non-benzodiazepine hypnotics include:

  • Sonata (Zaleplon)
  • Lunesta (Eszopiclone)
  • Ambien (Zolpidem)

How Prescription Drugs Affect the Brain: From Medicine to Addiction

Becoming chemically dependent on prescription drugs begins when the brain needs higher doses of the drug to function properly. At this point, the brain becomes dependent upon the presence of the drug in the body. It’s a gradual process, but once established, individuals have a chemical need for the misused drug. This, of course, makes it hard for individuals to stop using prescription drugs even if desired.

Signs & Symptoms of Prescription Drug Abuse

Because most prescription drug abuse starts off with a physician’s legal recommendation, it can be hard to pinpoint misuse. But some of the most common signs and symptoms associated with misuse of prescription drugs include:

  • Taking higher doses than prescribed
  • Mood swings
  • Irritability
  • Doctor shopping or visiting multiple doctors to get more prescriptions
  • Borrowing prescription medicine from others
  • Using prescriptions at a much faster rate than prescribed
  • Crushing or breaking pills
  • Lying about the amount of medication used or how often medication is taken
  • Stashing and hiding medication in many places around the house
  • Ordering prescriptions from online pharmacies
  • Stealing prescriptions

It’s also important to know the signs and symptoms specific to each type of prescription drug.

Signs of Opioid Abuse

  • Constipation
  • Nausea
  • Slowed breathing
  • Drowsiness
  • Confusion
  • Poor coordination
  • Rapid decrease in blood pressure
  • Depression
  • Excessive sweating

Signs of Stimulant Abuse

  • Increased alertness
  • Irregular heartbeat
  • High blood pressure
  • High body temperature
  • Reduced appetite
  • Insomnia
  • Agitation
  • Anxiety
  • Paranoia
  • Impulsive behavior

Signs of Depressant Abuse

  • Drowsiness
  • Confusion
  • Unsteady walking and movements
  • Slurred speech
  • Poor concentration
  • Dizziness
  • Memory problems
  • Slowed breathing
  • Involuntary tics or movement

Prescription Drug Withdrawal Symptoms

The type, severity, and length of withdrawal symptoms depend upon the type of prescription drug misused. Generally, withdrawal symptoms for opioids start 8 to 12 hours after the last dose and last anywhere from 5 to 10 days. Benzodiazepine withdrawal symptoms start 1 to 4 days after the last consumption, but they can last for months. Stimulant withdrawal symptoms start a few hours to several days after the last use. Generally, they last for weeks and sometimes months after quitting.

Opioid withdrawal symptoms include:

  • Muscle aches
  • Restlessness and inability to sleep
  • Anxiety
  • Runny nose
  • Excessive sweating
  • Abdominal cramping
  • Rapid heartbeat
  • Diarrhea
  • High blood pressure
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Digestive issues
  • Seizures

Stimulant withdrawal symptoms include:

  • Anxiety
  • Chills
  • Dehydration
  • Slow heart rate
  • Irritability
  • Hallucinations
  • Paranoia
  • Depression
  • Insomnia
  • Unpleasant dreams
  • Body aches
  • Cravings

Withdrawal symptoms associated with depressants include:

  • Insomnia
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Weakness
  • Confusion about the date, time and place
  • Hallucinations
  • Anxiety and panic attacks
  • Body pains
  • Tremors
  • Seizures
  • Heart palpitations

Treatment for Prescription Drug Addiction & Abuse in Murrieta, CA

Treatment varies depending on whether the misused drug was an opioid, stimulant or depressant. But most treatment plans for prescription drug addiction begin with detox. Here at Solution Based Treatment & Detox, we provide drug and alcohol detox in our Murrieta drug treatment center.

After detox, clients enroll in one of our three rehabilitation programs: residential treatment, partial hospitalization, or intensive outpatient. In these programs, clients receive behavioral and clinical support to recover.

Behavioral treatment includes counseling, individual and group therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and contingency management. Through these various avenues, clients learn to function without drugs. They also learn how their thought patterns correlate with their behavior patterns. With time, clients learn how to manage drug cravings, reduce their risk for relapse, and mend personal and professional relationships.

We encourage clients to join our recovery activities like sober living, Rock to Recovery and Building on the Rock during and after treatment. Overcoming an addiction to prescription drugs isn’t easy. Admitting the need for help is the first step to recovery. If you or a loved one are struggling with an addiction to prescription drugs, call Solution Based Treatment today at 833.999.1941.

We Know From Experience

We have helped thousands of people recover using a solutions-based approach of empowerment and knowledge.

Friendly Environment

We pride ourselves on creating a warm, relaxed recovery environment where our clients can show their true selves.

On-Site Medical Detox

Medical detox is a critical first step in recovery, which is why we provide supervised medical detox in-house.

Personalized Treatment

Every client benefits from a fully personalized treatment and plan of care, helping them recover and reach their unique goals.

Check out these blogs to learn more about prescription drug abuse and treatment: