Prescription Pill Addiction Treatment
What is Prescription Pill Addiction Treatment?
When we talk about prescription pill addiction, we’re referring to a huge variety of drugs—from stimulants to painkillers, to barbiturates and sleeping pills.
And while we’ll be covering the most commonly misused prescriptions, all of them have a few things in common…
Most importantly, drugs prescribed by your doctor can be just as dangerous as illicit drugs like Heroin or Methamphetamine.
They’re often combined with other substances, making recovery that much more difficult.
But it’s important to remember that recovery is possible, regardless of the prescription(s) being used.
A healthier future for yourself and your family starts with professional care and support, from withdrawal to recovery.
What are the Most Commonly Misused Prescriptions?
As we mentioned earlier, anything from stimulants like Adderall and Ritalin, to sleep medicines like Ambien and Lunesta fall under the label of prescription pills.
In other words, many prescription pills are addictive and often dangerous. But some are misused more often than others.
Some of the most commonly misused prescription pill types are:
- The prescription pills most commonly misused by young adults are Vicodin, DXM, and Adderall: https://nida.nih.gov/sites/default/files/rx_drugs_placemat_508c_10052011.pdf
Barbiturates (Amytal, Nembutal, Phenobarbital, etc.)
Also known as “downers,” barbiturates act on the central nervous system and are typically used to treat:
- Insomnia
- Anxiety
- Epilepsy/Seizures
- Tension headaches
Symptoms of barbiturate addiction include:
Confusion
Diarrhea
Dizziness
Drowsiness
Irritability
Low blood pressure
Sweating & Body Temperature Variation
While barbiturates are far less commonly prescribed nowadays, they’re still commonly misused, particularly by adolescents.
Benzodiazepines (Valium, Xanax, Klonopin, etc.)
Benzodiazepines are often commonly known as “downers,” and they act similarly to barbiturates in the human body—though, benzos are considered to have a less depressive effect on the central nervous system.
Withdrawal from benzos can often lead to death (typically from seizures), hence it is important to seek professional medical care.
Benzos are typically used to treat:
- Alcohol withdrawal
- Anxiety
- Epilepsy/Seizures
- Panic disorders
Common side effects of Benzo misuse include:
Amnesia
Confusion
Constipation
Nausea
Sexual dysfunction
Slow or shallow breathing
Sweating & Body Temperature Variation
Serious injury or death resulting from benzodiazepine use alone isn’t common, though this class of drug is commonly used alongside other dangerous substances.
Opioids (Codeine, Fentanyl, Morphine, “Lean”, Promethazine etc.)
Also known as narcotics, opioids act upon opioid receptors in the body to produce painkilling effects. Though, these receptors also control pleasurable and addictive behaviors, making them dangerously addictive and difficult to get off of.
Opioids are typically used to treat:
- Acute pain
- Chronic (long-term) pain
Common side effects of opioid misuse include:
Difficulty breathing
Loss of appetite
Low blood pressure
Nausea/vomiting
Problems with urination
Tremors/shakiness
Sweating & Body Temperature Variation
Because opioids are overprescribed and widely available, addiction is common—an estimated 2 million Americans struggle with opioid addiction.
Stimulants (Adderall, Concerta, Dexedrine, Vyvanse, Ritalin, Evekeo)
Stimulants work in the central nervous system (primarily the brain) to “speed up” mental and physical processes. They provide improved focus, increased alertness, and reduced appetite.
Stimulants are typically used to treat:
- Attention Deficit Disorder (A.D.D.)
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (A.D.H.D)
- Chronic lethargy
- Chronic depression
- Narcolepsy
Common side effects of stimulant misuse include:
Dizziness
Facial tics
Headaches
Inability to sleep
Increased blood pressure
Weight loss & Reduced Appetite
Sweating & Body Temperature Variation
Stimulants are commonly misused by young adults for boosts in energy and focus. These effects (along with improved feelings of confidence and reduced appetite) often lead to a dangerous cycle of addiction.
Other substances (Dextromethorphan; DXM, Nyquil)
DXM is a cough suppressant found in over 120 prescription and over-the-counter medications. While it is widely available and used effectively in many cases, DXM is often misused.
DXM is typically used to treat:
- Coughing caused by the common cold
- Coughing caused by the flu
Common side effects of DXM misuse include:
Dizziness
Drowsiness
Dry mouth
Headache
Respiratory problems
Nervousness
Excessive Sleepiness
Commonly misused by teenagers and young adults, taking more than the prescribed dose leads to feelings of stimulation, weightlessness, confusion, and hallucinations.
At our facility, you’ll never have to do it on your own
Our comprehensive care includes 24/7 safe, supported detox and assistance from medical professionals.
Prescription Pills: the Bottom Line
While the term “prescription pill” applies to a wide variety of substances that have very different effects on the body, one thing is true across the board…
Most prescription pills are easy to access and easy to develop an addictive relationship with. The fact that these pills are legally prescribed by a doctor doesn’t make them any less dangerous.
Besides the immediate threat that prescriptions can present, the long-term health effects of prescription pill misuse can be damaging to your health and even life-threatening.
While the signs of addiction to prescriptions are often subtle and easy to write off, recognizing dependence or addiction to them is the first step on the path to a healthier, happier future.
Together, We Can Overcome Prescription Pill Addiction
Ultimately, recognizing addiction and seeking professional support is up to you. If you or a loved one are suffering from addiction and you’re reading this guide, you’ve already taken the first step!
Still, addiction isn’t something you should fight alone, whether the substance being used is illicit or legally prescribed.
At StillDetox, we recognize the importance of private, professional treatment you can depend on.
Our experienced staff of doctors, nurses, and mental health professionals are dedicated to one thing:
Creating an individualized treatment plan that suits your needs and helps you along the road to recovery.
Because no two people are the same, we offer a wide variety of treatment options to honor our dedication to personalized care:
- Detoxification – The most important—and often the most difficult—step in the recovery process. Our staff ensures this process is exceptionally comfortable and safe from start to finish
- Impatient Treatment – From our luxury treatment center in Boca Raton, FL, our residents can focus on resting and recovering without distractions. We work with all of our residents to ensure dedicated treatment on a daily basis
- Dual Diagnosis – We take an integrated approach to dual-diagnosis treatment, so substance use disorders and mental health disorders can be treated effectively and simultaneously
- 12-Step Programs – From substance use to behavioral treatments, our 12-step program is an improvement on this time-tested method
- Non-12 Step Programs – We recognize that 12-step treatment isn’t always the best option. That’s why we offer a variety of alternative recovery programs and holistic treatments as well
Regardless of the prescription drugs or substances, you may be struggling with, we can overcome addiction together.
Your next chapter starts with StillDetox, so give us a call today—we’re here to help.
Our Patients Come First
What People Say
About Us
Brian R
Florida, USA
Have Questions Specific to Your or Your Family?
(561) 556-2677
Cant Talk Right Now?
Request a call Back
We can help you or your loved one through the admissions process and begin recovering from addiction. All it takes is the courage to reach out and take the right step forward. Everything starts here.
