If you've fallen into prescription drug addiction, you're not alone. Almost a quarter of the United States population admits to using one prescription drug or another for purposes outside the scope of medical rehabilitation or relief. Prescription drug addiction is a problem that needs to be addressed both institutionally and individually, but it starts with you or someone you know. Almost half of the year’s ER visits were related to the improper use of a prescription drug. What you may not realize is that prescription drug addiction is different than illicit drug addiction, because curbing use is not as easy as seizing drugs and making them illegal.

The legitimate benefits of prescription drugs make them a valuable resource in the pharmaceutical and medical industry but also make it easier to get access these drugs and become addicted. Institutionally, the best we can hope for is tighter restrictions on prescriptions; it’s unlikely that we will ban potentially lifesaving drugs because there are people who abuse them recreationally. The sad reality is that people find various different ways to bend the rules and take prescription drugs outside intended medical guidelines. Such patterns often lead to abuse, which often leads to addiction. We're here to help you or your loved one break the cycle and get the help you need to beat prescription drug addiction. Call us now.

Why Is Prescription Drug Addiction So Rampant?

There are countless medications for every conceivable ailment. One of the greatest developments in medical science is its proven success in creating drugs that mitigate suffering, improve our health, and prolong our lives. Unfortunately, it can also be the most dangerous. The onset of these various prescription drugs has enabled a staggering problem with prescription drug addiction. Developed through different means – improper use, overmedication, etc. – the seemingly benign benefits of prescription drugs have turned into an addiction nightmare for far too many. If you or a family member is one of them, you need to seek treatment now.

The widespread availability of prescription drugs for legitimate medical purposes already puts their availability far beyond that of heroin, cocaine, and other illicit drugs. There are plenty of ways a person can fall into prescription drug addiction. One common way is simply ignoring your doctor’s orders and taking your pain relief or fever medication too frequently or in higher doses. Continued long enough, this pattern will compel your brain to develop a craving, the severity of which you might not expect. Once these compulsions lead to heightened use, you have a prescription drug addiction. One might be surprised how common this problem is. This is why one should always consult their physician before taking prescription drugs, or altering their existing routine in any way.

Another way prescription drug addiction can take hold is through repeated intentional recreational use. This is becoming more and more of a problem with adolescents and young adults. Theft of a friend or family member’s prescription, the increasingly common street sale of prescription drugs, and the advent of online pharmacies are all ways young people can initially and continually acquire these drugs. Regardless of the restrictions doctors put on prescription allocation, people will likely find a way to abuse then. This is why control of prescription drug abuse is mainly up to the individual. Early education of the dangers of prescription drugs can also be monumentally helpful in prevention. If you’re given a prescription for pain or sickness, make sure you take it responsibly. If you have children, make sure you keep your prescription drugs in a safe place and discard of them properly. These basic measures can go a long toward stemming abuse and addiction in your corner of the world.

What to Do in The Event of Prescription Drug Addiction

If you or someone close to you has become addicted to prescription drugs, we can help. Detoxification is the first step in treating prescription drug addiction, followed immediately by prescription drug rehab. This should be combined with behavioral health based psychotherapy to creates the best chance for a successfully and lasting recovery. The National Alcohol and Substance Abuse Information Center (NASAIC) maintains an continuously updated national database of prescription drug treatment centers in your local area, as well as the leading recommended prescription drug treatment centers in the United States and around the world.