Prescription Addiction Issues in PA: How They Start and What Are The Ways to Prevent Them

When appropriately taken under a doctor’s supervision, prescription medications are an effective tool for battling a wide range of medical conditions. Many people get their hands on prescription medications without a doctor’s approval though, or they take more of them than they should. As a result, many people have become dependent on pharmaceutical drugs. Even while prescription pharmaceuticals are legal, this does not mean they are safe to use as you please. Misusing prescription drugs can lead to a physical addiction. We at Little Creek Recovery are here to help and maybe clear up some misconceptions about prescription addiction issues in PA.

What exactly are prescription drugs?

There is a large variety of medications available through prescription. Medications for chronic pain, anxiety, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) all have the potential to be abused. Benzodiazepines, stimulants, sedatives, and opioids are the most often abused prescription medications.

Prescription medicines trigger the release of dopamine in the brain. This “happy chemical” produces feelings of calm or euphoria. And this is what often leads to the user ingesting more of the substance in order to get the desired effect. Tolerance builds up over time, which can cause unwanted symptoms or even addiction. Prescription drug addiction carries the same fatal danger as other substance abuse disorders. This is why it is crucial to start prescription drug rehab Pennsylvania as soon as you notice the warning signs.

How to spot prescription drug addiction issues in PA?

With 16.1 million Americans abusing prescription medications in the past year, prescription drug addiction has reached epidemic proportions in the United States. Individuals may experience different signs of prescription medication misuse depending on the medicine in question. There is, however, some unity between them that can aid in the detection of substance addiction:

• Aggression, antagonism, or irritation
• Changes in temperament
• A feeling of weariness or lethargy
• Sadness and agitation
• Lowered the heart rate
• Reduced arterial pressure
• Problems falling asleep or staying asleep
• Bloating or gassiness
• Memory loss

Stopping the use of prescription medicines suddenly might cause withdrawal symptoms in those using them regularly. It’s crucial to work with your doctor to safely wean off the medicine or get help from a certified addiction counselor if you’re experiencing withdrawal symptoms since they can be life-threatening.

Warnings signs that someone you care about is abusing prescription drugs

These are the telltale symptoms that a person is abusing prescription medication:

• drug-seeking behaviors, such as searching for a dealer or seeing several physicians fill multiple prescriptions
• taking more of the drug at once or taking it more often
• hiding drugs or money
• tolerance expansion and drug abuse
• lying to your loved ones
• refusing to acknowledge addictive tendencies
• separating from their loved ones and the outside world
• absence of enthusiasm for things that they once found enjoyable
• disregarding personal hygiene
• stealing or engaging in other criminal activity to support an addiction
• dangerous actions, such as drinking and driving or engaging in questionable sexual practices

Prescription drug usage can have serious consequences, so if you or someone you care about exhibits any of the warning symptoms listed above, get professional assistance immediately. With these experts in withdrawal management and behavior modification, you can get your life back to how it was before you started abusing prescription medications.

Risk factors linked to prescription drug dependence

An estimated 8.76 million Americans engaged in prescription medication abuse in 2015. Prescription pain relievers, tranquilizers, and stimulants were the most often misused medicines. Addiction can develop for many different reasons. Prescription drug addiction is influenced by many causes, the most prevalent of which are:

• Addiction is more likely to develop in those who are physically ill. Those with mental health illnesses and anxiety disorders are also at higher risk. These people will probably try prescription medication at first because they believe it will help their illness, but they will likely become dependent on the drug and be unable to quit using it.
• The likelihood of developing a dependency on pharmaceutical drugs increases if a person has a family history of substance abuse.
  In many cases, addiction is triggered by pressures from the outside world. A person’s decision to start drug usage may be affected by the company he or she keeps. Prescription medication addiction is also more likely to occur in those with a history of substance misuse.

What makes opioids so addictive?

Opioids suppress pain by binding to specific receptors in the brain. Reduced pain is a result of this absence of unpleasant feelings. People can become dependent on these drugs even when they are not in pain because they make them feel good. It’s important that you seek opioid rehab as soon as you notice the warning signs.

Opioids cause your brain to produce feel-good chemicals called endorphins. These compounds provide short-term respite from pain and increased pleasure. When the positive effects of a drug wear off, the user may seek other ways to experience a similar high. Pain relievers can also make you feel:

• Euphoria
• Tranquility
• Relaxation

Someone who develops a tolerance to opioids risks becoming an addict if they keep using it to experience the same high. Individuals might develop a dependency on prescription medications when they are used improperly. Such actions can involve ingesting the drugs for longer than recommended or in a different way to increase the potency or intensity of the desired effect. Some folks mash the pills to make them easier to snort or inject.

Treatment for prescription drugs addiction

Recovering from an addiction is a continuous process. Substances alter brain circuits, and this has long-lasting effects. Many people who struggle with addiction, therefore, continue to have cravings even after they have stopped using the substance. It’s crucial to enroll in a caring addiction treatment program if you want to make a full and lasting recovery. This involves adjusting to everyday life after completing a rehabilitation program.

Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)

The various drugs used in MAT programs aim to alleviate withdrawal symptoms and allow the patient to concentrate on their recovery. Professionals will monitor your every move to ensure you feel safe and secure during the program. Depending on the extent of your addiction and withdrawal symptoms, your doctor may change the type of medicine they prescribe you. You’ll receive a head start on other parts of your therapy while you’re in this program, increasing the likelihood that you’ll make significant improvements and be able to return to your life more quickly.

MAT programs can also aid in avoiding a relapse. Taking these drugs may make it seem to your brain that you are continuing to use drugs, or at least less appealing, which can help you maintain your sobriety.

Inpatient Rehabilitation

Patients with severe addictions or those who are unable to maintain sobriety at home have the option of entering a residential treatment program for a period of time, often 30–90 days. Your time in treatment will be proportional to the extent of your addiction. Whether you need benzo rehab or opioid rehab, you can get it through inpatient rehabilitation.

People who don’t have a strong social support system at home or need to completely remove themselves from prescription medication benefit significantly from residential programs. You’ll have treatment appointments regularly while you’re here. Providing the kind of structure you might be missing back home. You’ll get more support and learn valuable skills to help you transition to a sober life. Both of which will make it easier to beat your addiction.

Outpatient Rehabilitation

Most people seek an inpatient facility where they would spend many weeks in a controlled setting while undergoing rehabilitation. Within the confines of an inpatient addiction treatment program, individuals are better able to concentrate on their recovery. However, returning to everyday life is essential to the rehabilitation process. Attending an intense outpatient program allows individuals to obtain moderate-level addiction treatment while continuing to live in the real world.

Inpatient treatment isn’t necessary for all patients. Not everyone who has a problem with drugs admits to having one. Those who do come to terms with their prescription abuse issues early may have done so because of a preexisting condition or a modest setback in life that occurred while under the influence. They can benefit most from an intensive outpatient program (IOP) for addiction treatment, regardless of how they made their initial findings.

How to overcome painkiller addiction?

Do you fear that you or someone you care about may be abusing prescription medications? Get sober now by taking the initial steps toward recovery:

• Take care of your addiction: Realizing you have a problem is the first step toward recovery. Getting help is possible if you realize you need to make some adjustments in your life.
• Try to be patient with yourself; healing takes time. To get through the healing process successfully, you must be patient with yourself.
• Try to find some sort of expert aid: Getting expert therapy is the most effective method to overcome addiction and maintain sobriety. Support and resources are available to you at Little Creek Recovery.

How can Little Creek Recovery Center help you?

Our certified clinicians at Little Creek apply innovative treatment approaches in addition to the tried and true 12-step program. We encourage patients receiving inpatient and outpatient care to participate in a wide range of therapeutic pursuits. We think it’s important to keep both the body and the mind active during the recuperation process. As a result, we tailor our comprehensive, evidence-based approach to each client’s specific requirements. Our patients who suffer from prescription addiction issues in PA will learn vital life skills like self-care and social interaction that may improve the quality of their lives immensely. To help our patients learn to appreciate life without drugs, we also stress the importance of enjoying clean, drug-free enjoyment. Here are some of the most popular therapeutic methods employed in treating prescription medication abuse.

Music as Medicine

Addiction not only harms people’s bodies and minds but also stifles their ability to think creatively. Prescription drug abusers typically misuse depressants or muscle relaxants, making them more vulnerable to this impact. A disoriented mood is a common outcome for addicts. Long-term use of prescription medicines has been shown to alter brain chemistry in negative ways, diminishing one’s capacity for creative thought.

Creativity in therapy is a powerful tool for reestablishing mental equilibrium. Patients can find an outlet for their emotions through creative therapies like art and music therapy for addiction. With the help of music therapy, those who have difficulty expressing their feelings are able to do so. Developing a creative interest is a wonderful method of learning to deal with distressing situations. Just as it takes time, patience, and determination to master the art, so do the skills necessary to beat prescription medication addiction in recovery. Participating in music therapy immediately raises patients’ feelings of competence and self-worth.

Recreational Therapy

To assist our patients in recovering from their addiction to prescription drugs, we focus on fostering a renewed desire for exploration and adventure. The effects of addiction on a person’s body may be devastating. Enjoying a healthy, active lifestyle may be greatly aided by regular exercise. As part of our recreational treatment program, we want to show our patients that being active doesn’t have to be a chore. We often schedule outdoor recreational events so that our patients can get new experiences and reconnect with nature.

The first step toward establishing a healthy routine is the realization that physical activity is enjoyable. Patients can engage in individual therapy as well as group activities through our outdoor adventure program. Team sports not only assist patients to gain muscle mass but also encourage them to work together and hone their social skills. Scranton rehab center offers excellent recreational therapy for its patients.

Restoring your body can help your mind since many exercises need precision motor control. Dopamine and serotonin, neurotransmitters that boost mood, are released during physical activity. Patients suffering from sadness and anxiety may find it eye-opening to learn that they can experience a natural high. As a result, we encourage patients in our recovery program for prescription medication abuse to engage in regular physical activity. Strength training will boost a person’s self-esteem and give them more control over their lives.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

Dialectical behavioral therapy is offered in addition to exercise as a means of coping with cravings and other symptoms of addiction. The primary goal of dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is to help patients learn to tolerate and manage their distressing emotions and ideas. Patients can develop coping mechanisms to avoid relapse by participating in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skill training. Patients who have received DBT treatment for addiction are better able to control their emotions and behaviors.

Developing beneficial coping strategies is the main turning point in the fight against relapse. Prescription drug abuse is prevalent, making the DBT toolkit especially useful for people in rehabilitation. Addicts who have completed treatment still face many difficulties once they return to their normal lives. Fortunately, with our support and the right training, you will be able to conquer any challenge you face.

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Patients in recovery from addiction need more than just the ability to avoid detrimental situations and thoughts. They need a technique to eliminate these destructive habits entirely. A CBT treatment plan for prescription abuse will provide these. Patients in cognitive behavioral therapy work with therapists to identify and address the emotional and psychological triggers that keep them using drugs. With time and effort, patients may learn to care for themselves and reclaim their lives from addiction.

Knowing that certain unfavorable ideas are ‘automatic’ might help patients resist the temptation to use drugs. Negative mental states are not always the result of personal failings but might be triggered by circumstances beyond the control of the affected person. You can learn to manage negative feelings in a healthy and productive manner. Patients will get insight into the relationships between certain people, locations, and things and their desires. By removing the causes of distress, patients will have less temptation to engage in self-destructive behavior. In cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), therapists can also guide patients in developing a self-care routine to help them sustain positive mental and physical health.

Medication formulation and control

Known as abuse-deterrent formulations (ADF), these newer forms of opioid prescriptions are being developed by pharmaceutical companies. They are trying to dissuade prescription medication abuse. Methods being considered or tested right now include:

• drug products that are protected against being crushed, ground, or dissolved by physical or chemical means.
• new molecular entities or prodrugs, which attach a chemical extension to a drug that renders it inactive unless it is metabolized;
• agonist/antagonist combinations that cause an antagonist (which will counteract the drug effect) to be released if the product is manipulated;
• aversive substances that are added to create unpleasant sensations if the drug is taken in any way other than a directed delivery system;
• long-acting injections or implants that slowly release the drug over time.

There are now a number of ADF opioids available. The FDA has encouraged the creation of ADF stimulants. The street value of illegal substances drops when they are formulated to discourage abuse. Opioid prescriptions can be reduced with the help of drug control. There was no corresponding rise in prescribing other opioids after the Drug Enforcement Administration rescheduled hydrocodone products from schedule III to the more restricted schedule II in 2014.

What effects can prescription drug addiction have on mental health?

Substance abuse may take many forms, and it’s often linked to deeper mental health concerns. That can have a devastating impact on a person’s ability to enjoy life. Addiction not only causes physical dependence on certain substances. It also causes the user to put off or neglect vital responsibilities like self-care, family, and work in favor of acquiring and using the substance of choice.

There are a lot of psychological impacts of drug abuse. Prescription medicines like opioids, pain relievers, and antidepressants can, either directly or indirectly, disrupt the brain’s ability to produce organic molecules like dopamine. As a result, the degradation of a person’s quality of life due to a rising urge to obtain and consume drugs is a direct source of impairment to mental health in people with prescription drug addiction.

Get started on the road to recovery from prescription drug abuse

Everyone is susceptible to addiction; you are not alone. If you’re struggling with an addiction to prescription drugs, Little Creek Recovery can help. In addition to residential and MAT programs, counseling and aftercare are also available to prevent relapse. To maximize your chances of recovery from addiction, we will assist you in identifying and addressing its underlying causes. Our therapies’ wide availability and low cost make them ideal for people of all socioeconomic backgrounds. Our staff members are experts in helping addicts get clean and stay clean, so you know you can trust them completely. Reach out to us to find out how we can assist you with your prescription addiction issues in PA.