Understanding Prescription Drug Addiction
The Dangers of Prescription Drug Misuse
Misusing prescription drugs can lead to a chemical dependency on the drug and developing an addiction. When your body is physically dependent on prescription drugs, you put yourself at risk of various mental and physical health disorders and declination.
Signs and Symptoms of Prescription Drug Abuse
When you struggle with prescription drug abuse, you may experience taking larger doses than prescribed, continuing drug use when the medication is not needed, failing to stop or cut down use, struggling with home, work, and school responsibilities, or shifting your social activities around drug use. A higher tolerance for the substance also occurs, which can lead to experiencing withdrawal symptoms and relapsing.
The Impact of Prescription Drugs on the Brain and Body
When you develop an addiction to stimulants, depressants, or painkillers, your brain decreases the production of hormones like dopamine. You may also experience increased blood pressure and heart rate, dizziness and sweating, or coordination issues, among other physical symptoms.
Commonly Abused Prescription Medications
Opioids are commonly misused prescription drugs as they are prescribed for pain relief. Fentanyl, hydrocodone, oxycodone, oxymorphone, hydromorphone, meperidine, diphenoxylate, and morphine sulfate are examples of drugs in this category.
Benzodiazepines, or depressants, that can lead to prescription drug abuse are pentobarbital sodium, diazepam, alprazolam, zolpide tartrate, and sertaline. These are typically prescribed for anxiety disorders, insomnia, and muscle spasms, for example.
Stimulants, like dextroamphetamine, methylphenidate, and amphetamines, are prescription drugs for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), eating disorders, and narcolepsy. These medications lead to alertness as they speed up the processes in the central nervous system.
Breaking Free From Prescription Drug Dependence
The Importance of Professional Treatment
Professional treatment is crucial in prescription drug addiction treatment because you may experience severe withdrawal symptoms that could lead you to relapse and overdosing without the support and resources. At Red Rock Recovery Center, we offer various programs, treatments, and therapies to help you recover and redefine your life without feeling alone, isolated, or overwhelmed.
Prescription Drug Addiction Treatment at Red Rock Recovery
Our Comprehensive Treatment Programs
Treatment at Red Rock Recovery Center begins with our detox program. From there, clients typically remain at the facility in our inpatient (residential) program. Depending on your needs, other programs include our sober living program, intensive outpatient program (IOP), 12-Step program, and eventually our alumni program.
Detoxification and Withdrawal Management
The Basecamp Detox Program safely helps you manage withdrawal symptoms as your body medically stabilizes from drug use. Detox can be uncomfortable because of these symptoms, which is why a medically supervised and community-centered approach is important.
Individualized Treatment Plans
Every client is unique, and here at Red Rock Recovery Center, we treat each client as an individual with individual needs. Your treatment plan with us will aim to help you heal mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually to ensure you have the tools to lead an overall healthy life.
Evidence-Based Therapies for Addiction Recovery
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a common therapy used to treat substance use disorder. It helps clients detach their behaviors from their negative thoughts and emotional patterns, redirecting this energy into thoughtful, healthy behaviors.
Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is a type of CBT that is most beneficial to clients coping with overwhelming emotions and often those working through co-occurring disorders. DBT focuses on emotional regulation, distress tolerance, mindfulness, and interpersonal effectiveness while practicing healthy habits.
Motivational interviewing is a client-centered counseling therapy that works on clients turning inward for motivation and change rather than allowing their external environment to take control. If you continue to talk about making changes and exploring the benefits, you are more likely to follow through and eventually improve your lifestyle.
Holistic Approaches to Healing
Mindfulness and meditation are holistic approaches that help you turn inward and ground yourself in the present moment. They restore inner peace and balance, helping you achieve self-realization.
Yoga and exercise realign your physical health, which is connected to your mental health. Finding a mode of physical exercise, whether lifting weights, running or mind-to-body movement in yoga, introduces you to a new healthy habit to take with you throughout and after treatment.
Nutritional guidance is also important in addiction recovery, as drug use can impact your eating habits. Red Rock Recovery Center helps you overcome these poor habits and stick to a healthy diet that promotes overall recovery.
Building a Foundation for Long-Term Recovery
Relapse Prevention Strategies
After treatment, it is important to continue valuing recovery in your life to prevent relapsing. Relapse is not uncommon, but we offer continuous support through various treatment programs and alumni groups to help you stay or get back on track.
Developing Healthy Coping Mechanisms
Red Rock Recovery Center emphasizes the importance of discovering new healthy coping mechanisms while in treatment. From holistic approaches, like yoga and mindfulness, to improving general life skills, like communication, you leave treatment knowing you have gained a multitude of skills and coping mechanisms to turn to.
Building a Strong Support Network
Community is at the heart of our recovery approach. Through group therapies and communal living, you learn how to come together as one and motivate each other. Together, we heal and find a new purpose in our sober lives.
Finding Hope and Healing at Red Rock Recovery
Recovery does not need to be done alone. At Red Rock Recovery Center, we are here to help you rediscover your life, heal, and build a strong, long-lasting foundation in sobriety.
Here at Red Rock Recovery Center, we provide treatment for clients overcoming prescription drug abuse, which includes evidence-based and holistic therapies for well-rounded care that meets all of your needs. Call us today at (855) 218-7588 to learn more.
