Prescription Drug Addiction Treatment Centers
It’s easy to think that because a drug is legal and available through a doctor’s prescription, that it’s perfectly safe. This is actually very far from the case – when prescription drugs are abused they can be just as dangerous as illegal street drugs like heroin and cocaine. Sometimes they’re even derived from the same chemicals.
Which prescription drugs are most commonly abused?
Signs of addiction
Regardless of the type of prescription, there are some common behavioral signs that can indicate an addiction:
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Getting multiple prescriptions from different doctors, also known as “doctor shopping”.
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Behaving defensively when the drug is mentioned or their need for them challenged.
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Feeling preoccupied and worried when the next dosage is due or the effects begin to wear off.
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Stealing valuable items or borrowing money.
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Going to extreme lengths to source the medication (buying it illegally or stealing it).
Recovering from addiction to prescription drugs
Recovery depends largely on the type of prescription drug an individual is addicted to, but for opiates in particular, drugs like methadone and buprenorphine are advised to lessen withdrawal symptoms. It is often the unpleasant withdrawal symptoms associated with opiates, which make recovery difficult for addicts.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is often crucial in addiction management, because it teaches healthy patterns of thinking and helps patients take responsibility for their own feelings and psychological impulses.