Prescription Drug Addiction Treatment Center Washington
When you think of drug abuse, the drugs that typically come to mind are illicit substances like heroin and cocaine. These are illegal drugs that have no authorized medical use. Then what’s the need for a prescription drug addiction treatment center Washington you might think? The reason is that another equally dangerous type of addiction is an addiction to prescription drugs. These are medications that have valid medical uses. However, some people use them in a way not intended by the prescribing physician. Such individuals oftentimes do not realize the danger of misusing the medications because they think they are using a medication that is approved by the medical community. However, what they do not realize is that the medication is addictive and they may end up needing help at a prescription drug addiction treatment center Washington.
Prescription drug abuse can be anything from using a family member’s prescription painkiller to obtaining oxy from a street dealer to get high. With time, the repeated misuse or abuse of prescription medications becomes compulsive and can lead to a host of negative consequences. However, help is at hand at a prescription drug addiction treatment center Washington. If you or someone you love has developed an addiction to prescription drugs, read on to learn more about the different types of medications that are addictive. Also, find out how to choose the best prescription drug addiction treatment center Washington offers.
Opioid Drug Abuse
Opioids are prescription medications that are used to treat moderate to severe pain. They include drugs like Oxycontin and Percocet which contain oxycodone as well as Norco and Vicodin which contain hydrocodone. Opioid abuse has reached epidemic proportions in the United States. An estimated 128 people die every day from an opioid overdose. A prescription drug addiction treatment center Washington can treat addiction to all kinds of opioids, including prescription pain relievers, fentanyl, and the illegal drug heroin.
The clinical team at Discover Recovery prescription drug addiction treatment center Washington sees many patients with opioid addiction. The most common signs and symptoms of opioid abuse include euphoria, nausea, constipation, confusion, drowsiness, and poor coordination. Also, people who misuse opioid pain relievers to self-manage their pain often need an increasing dose for pain relief. They may also experience hyperalgesia (increased pain sensitivity) at high doses. These are all symptoms that can be treated at a prescription drug addiction treatment center Washington.
The two main ways in which opioid abuse is treated at a prescription drug addiction treatment center Washington are medications and behavioral therapies. Medications such as methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone are used at a prescription drug addiction treatment center Washington to relieve cravings and withdrawal symptoms or to prevent opioids from affecting the brain. These medications are usually administered in combination with behavioral counseling. Behavioral therapies at a prescription drug addiction treatment center Washington help the patients change unhealthy behavior and thinking patterns and thereby reduce or stop drug use. During therapy, patients also learn coping strategies to manage triggers and cravings that can lead to relapse. Some types of therapies provide incentives to patients to stay abstinent.
Sedative Drug Abuse
Certain sedatives and tranquilizers have the potential for abuse and addiction. These medications are CNS (central nervous system) depressants, meaning they slow down brain activity. Examples include Xanax (alprazolam) and Valium (diazepam) as well as hypnotic drugs like Ambien (zolpidem). Some of these medications are commonly prescribed to treat sleep problems and anxiety. However, people can develop a dependence on them and require help at a prescription drug addiction treatment center Washington to quit.
The signs and symptoms of anxiety medication abuse that are often noted at a prescription drug addiction treatment center Washington include drowsiness, dizziness, slowed breathing, slurred speech, unsteady gait, memory problems, and problems concentrating.
If a person has become dependent on anti-anxiety sedative-hypnotics, it’s important to seek care at a prescription drug addiction treatment center Washington promptly. Attempting to quit taking the drugs at home can be dangerous. The withdrawal symptoms can be severe and potentially life-threatening. A medically supervised detox at a prescription drug addiction treatment center Washington will ensure that the dose is reduced gradually and safely. At the same time, counseling can help patients modify their thinking and behavior and develop skills to cope with life stressors without drugs. Unlike opioids for which there are several addiction treatment medications available, there is currently no FDA-approved medication to treat addiction to anti-anxiety medications.
Prescription Stimulant Drug Abuse
Prescription stimulants include drugs like Concerta, Ritalin, and Adderall. These medications are prescribed to treat medical conditions such as narcolepsy (a sleep disorder) and ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder). However, a prescription drug addiction treatment center Washington often treats patients who have developed a dependence on these drugs.
Signs and symptoms of stimulant abuse and addiction include euphoria, increased alertness, increased body temperature and blood pressure, decreased appetite, agitation, anxiety, and insomnia. These are all symptoms that can be treated at a prescription drug addiction treatment center Washington. The important thing is to get help as soon as possible.
The treatment modalities used at a prescription drug addiction treatment center Washington for Adderall abuse are similar to those used for cocaine and meth which are also stimulant drugs. At present, there are no specific FDA-approved medications for prescription stimulant abuse. Treatment usually consists of gradually tapering the dose and managing withdrawal symptoms during medical detox. This is followed by behavioral therapies at a prescription drug addiction treatment center Washington to reduce the risk of relapse.
Discover Recovery Prescription Drug Addiction Treatment Center Washington
Discover Recovery is a leading prescription drug addiction treatment center Washington located in Long Beach. We offer a range of drug rehab programs with multiple levels of care to meet the needs of each client. Our approach to prescription drug addiction treatment is a holistic one, meaning, in addition to treating your physical dependence on prescription medications, we also focus on the psychological and social factors that led to the dependence in the first place.
The highly experienced clinical team at our prescription drug addiction treatment center Washington consists of board-certified physicians with a specialization in addiction medicine, masters’ level counselors, and registered nurses. Our goal is to provide a safe and supportive environment to you in which you can heal and leave drug abuse behind you forever.
If you or someone you love could benefit from medical detox and behavioral therapies at a prescription drug addiction treatment center Washington, get in touch with us at Discover Recovery today, and let’s talk about getting you back on track for a happy, healthy future.