Prescription Addiction

Prescription drug addiction is a dangerous and potentially deadly condition that affects millions of people around the world.  The sad truth is; many of the people who suffer from prescription addiction find themselves addicted to drugs as a result of having been prescribed the medication for a legitimate health reason such as pain, anxiety, depression or another condition. Fortunately, there are a number of treatment options available to those who suffer from prescription addiction—proof that there is light at the end of the tunnel.

Types of Prescription Drugs

Various types of prescription drugs have been shown to have a wide potential for abuse and for causing addiction. The most common prescription drugs to cause addiction include:

• Opiates or Narcotic Painkillers such as Oxycontin or Oxycodone
• CNS Depressants such as Xanax
• Stimulants such as Adderall

Recognizing the Signs of Prescription Addiction

By recognizing the early signs and symptoms of prescription addiction there is hope that an individual can quickly recover from this dangerous and potentially deadly condition.  The early signs of prescription addiction may not be as noticeable as the signs that come later on but they are still evident.  These include:

• Using more and more of the drug
• Spending more time on using the drug or looking for the drug
• Doctor shopping
• Taking more of the drug than prescribed
• Using amounts of the drug that reduce the ability to act or function normally

Treatment for Prescription Drug Addiction

Various types of treatment are available for those who suffer from prescription drug addiction.  Some of the most common types of prescription drug addiction treatment include inpatient treatment and outpatient treatment.  Of these, inpatient treatment provides the highest level of monitoring and support for the patient whereas outpatient treatment focuses heavily on providing counseling and other services to patients who continue to work toward their recovery goals on their own.

It is estimated that as many as 80% of all individuals who are prescribed one of the above types of medication find themselves suffering from addiction to the drug.  This happens despite taking the medication as prescribed and can literally happen to just about anyone.  Fortunately, treatment centers that provide care for a range of drug addictions are able to help those suffering from prescription addiction to find new ways of coping with pain, anxiety or trauma without abusing the drugs.  This leads to new methods of dealing with stress and other conditions that would have once lead to drug abuse.

If you or someone you know suffers from prescription addiction, seek immediate help at a local treatment center.  There is help available and with the right guidance and support, your prescription addiction can quickly become a thing of the past.