Addictive Prescription Drugs on the table
Prescription drug use in Ohio has increased in the years following COVID. This has been due, in part, to the immense increase in prescriptions used to treat mental health conditions like stress, anxiety, and depression among Ohio residents. In addition, prescription drug abuse has also gone up since the Coronavirus outbreak leaving many people in the throes of addiction. If you’ve found yourself unable to quit medications like opioids or benzodiazepines, you’re not alone. Incidentally, the first step to stopping prescription drug use is a prescription drug detox.
Prescription drug addiction begins by either starting a legitimate prescription for a medical reason or intentionally abusing prescription drugs. Regardless of intention, the end result can be a dependency on prescribed medication. Opioids (pain killers) and sedatives called benzodiazepines are among the most addictive medications warranting a prescription drug detox.
The prescription drugs with the highest risk of misuse include opioids and depressants. Often, a person uses a combination of prescriptions resulting in an addiction to numerous substances. If this combination also includes alcohol, the addiction can become even more intensifying.
Opioids are generally used for pain. Historically, it is difficult to escape the result of the opioid epidemic in which poorly regulated prescription practices contributed to the addiction of millions of Americans beginning in the late 1990s. Unfortunately, in the wake of the Coronavirus outbreak, the epidemic continues to escalate. Additionally, the relatively new use of fentanyl in many counterfeit prescriptions has caused opioid overdose rates to skyrocket.
A few other examples of addictive opioids include;
When prescription opioids are no longer available, many drug users turn to illicit forms of opioids, including drugs like heroin.
Benzos are central nervous system (CNS) depressants that slow the body down. They are frequently prescribed for anxiety, panic, and sleep disorders. Benzos and other CNS depressants are usually meant for short-term use. This is because the dependency potential among these drugs is so high. The nature of depressant prescription medications that are depressants also makes them incredibly dangerous to combine with alcohol, which is also a downer drug. When these two substances are combined, the likelihood of overdose increases substantially. Common examples of benzodiazepine brands include Valium, Klonopin, Ativan, and Xanax.
CNS stimulants like Adderall and Ritalin are also sources of prescription drug addiction. However, it is less likely that detoxing from these upper drugs will require will be life-threatening. However, prescription drug detox can still benefit those with stimulant addiction. Ultimately, prescription drug detox is a place to start towards recovery regardless of the substance used.
Prescription drug detox is simply the process of clearing the drugs from a person’s system. However, the actual process of drug detox is more involved. To start, addiction begins with the habitual use of a drug (or alcohol). Once the body is accustomed to the drug’s presence, it adjusts the body’s chemistry to accommodate for the drug’s chemical influence. This results in physical dependence on the drug. At this point, the body relies on the drug to function properly, and once drug use is stopped, the body must again reacclimate to the altered chemistry.
Understandably, one of the hardest parts of the prescription drug detox process is drug withdrawals, which occur as the body rids the system of the toxic chemicals. Withdrawals can range from uncomfortable to life-threatening, so it is always recommended to detox in an accredited detox facility before tackling the reasons behind the addiction itself. In fact, a supervised detox also reduces withdrawal symptoms by using appropriate medical interventions that decrease patient discomfort.
There are several benefits of supervised drug detox. Most importantly, drug detox in a detox facility allows for medical staff to monitor patients around the clock. In this way, your safety is covered, allowing you to focus on healing. In addition to patient safety, supervised drug detox supports sobriety during times of intense cravings. This addresses some of the main reasons that so many attempts to quit prescription drugs fail, which revolve around the inability to get through uncomfortable withdrawals and urges to use. In this way, supervised drug detox eliminates these risks during the detox process and greatly increases your odds of long-term recovery.
The length of stay in detox will vary depending on the substances you’re detoxing from. Generally, you can expect detox to take between five and seven days. At this point, the next step depends on the root of the addiction. For example, some prescription drug addictions are accidental. This occurs when a person takes medication as prescribed and ends up reliant on the drug. Because a psychological addiction never developed, treatment could end after prescription drug detox.
On the other hand, psychological addiction requires a deep dive into the reasons behind the addiction. Usually, there is far more to drug abuse than just being high. Rather, drug users are often avoiding emotions, hiding from trauma, or merely dealing with boredom or loneliness. The rehabilitation component of drug rehab addresses the cause of the addiction through intensive counseling to encourage the patient to uncover their reasons for drug use. The most comprehensive way to achieve this is in a inpatient setting, where people can focus solely on recovery. However, to accommodate personal preferences and daily needs, outpatient options are also accessible.
Prescription drug addiction can be devastating. However, even the most stubborn addictions can be broken. At Ridgeview Behavioral Hospital, our treatment center offers a multitude of addiction programs in conjunction with drug detox to best suit your individual needs. A few of the programs offered at Ridgeview Behavioral Hospital include:
Prescription drug detox is a medically supervised process that helps individuals safely withdraw from prescription medications. This process is designed to manage withdrawal symptoms and provide support throughout the detoxification phase.
The duration of the detox process can vary depending on the type of prescription drug, the severity of the addiction, and the individual’s overall health. Typically, detox can last anywhere from a few days to a couple of weeks.
During detox, certain medications may be used to alleviate withdrawal symptoms and reduce cravings. The specific medications used will depend on the type of prescription drug dependency being treated.
Yes, detox at Ridgeview Behavioral Hospital is safe. Our medical professionals closely monitor patients throughout the detox process to ensure their safety and comfort. We provide a supportive environment to help manage withdrawal symptoms effectively.
After detox, patients typically continue with a comprehensive treatment program that may include therapy, counseling, and support groups. This ongoing treatment is crucial for achieving long-term recovery and preventing relapse.
More than anything, patients need to know that they will receive the best possible care. It’s important to remember that the care you need today may be different from the care you need tomorrow. There are many types of therapy available at Ridgeview Behavioral Hospital, so reach out if you need assistance in the Middle Point, Ohio area.
Call (419) 949-8590 to speak with one of our treatment specialists and learn more about our programs. Take our 😍 Mental Health Assessment or our 🧐 Addiction Test.
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