Prescription Drug Addiction Treatment in Maine

Many people are surprised that the medications meant to restore us to health can also be the subject of substance use disorders. However, this is the case for many classes of drugs that are prescribed by doctors. Each year, over 16 million Americans misuse prescription drugs. This represents 5.8% of the US population. Of these, 12%, or over 2 million, struggle with a substance use disorder.

Prescription Drug Use Disorder in Maine

Over 16,000 people have entered prescription drug rehab in Maine alone. This last statistic indicates that people can and do find prescription drug abuse help in Maine. Sometimes, this help is a matter of a single phone call. 
Of those seeking help, the vast majority of Maine residents struggle with an opioid use disorder. But opioids are not the only drug being misused in Maine, and the number of people struggling with prescription drug use disorder goes well beyond 16,000 people. It affects Mainers from all walks of life, of every race and economic level, and at all ages. 

Commonly Misused Prescription Drugs

As stated before, opioids are the most misused prescription drug in Maine, but there are others. These include amphetamines, other stimulants, inhalants, sedatives, opiates, hypnotics (used for sleep), anxiolytics (anti-anxiety medication), tranquilizers, and barbiturates. The specific drugs misused range from opioids like Vicodin and Dilaudid to sedatives like Librium.

The National Institute on Drug Abuse lists the most commonly misused prescription medications:

  • Barbiturates like Amytal, Nembutal, Seconal, and Phenobarbital
  • Benzodiazepines like Ativan, Halcion, Librium, Valium, Xanax, and Klonopin
  • Sleep medications like Ambien, Sonata, and Lunesta
  • Opioids like codeine, morphine, methadone, fentanyl, oxycodone, hydrocodone, hydromorphone, oxymorphone, meperidine, and propoxyphene
  • Stimulants like Biphetamine, Dexedrine, Adderall, Concerta, and Ritalin
  • Certain cough medicines like dextromethorphan

Prescription drug misuse is associated with a host of health problems, including:

  • Constipation, nausea, and other digestive problems
  • Drowsiness and confusion
  • Memory problems and confusion
  • Decreased pain tolerance
  • Slowed breathing
  • Irregular heartbeat
  • Anxiety, agitation, and paranoia
  • High blood pressure
  • Insomnia

A targeted treatment plan can help sufferers of prescription drug addiction get back on the right track.

Treatment: A Readily Available and Crucial Step to Recovery

Intensive inpatient services often include the same treatment options as residential programs. As such, clients can expect several hours of group therapy, weekly individual therapy, monthly medical appointments, attentive case management, yoga and meditation classes, continuous drug screenings, and training and assistance with prescribed medications.

Partial hospitalization is the next tier of outpatient treatment. It is often the transition between inpatient and outpatient rehab services, though it can also be the first course of action for those wanting to get and stay clean. Partial hospitalization often features more scheduling flexibility, a lower cost than inpatient treatment, and transitional services to help clients better integrate back into everyday life.

In addition to these advantages, clients can expect individual and group therapy sessions. The main difference between intensive outpatient and partial hospitalization treatment is the daily interaction with healthcare professionals such as doctors, nurse practitioners, and nurses. This allows for more intensive treatments like medication-assisted withdrawal.

Residential treatment services are what most people think of as “going to rehab.” Though offering less scheduling flexibility, it does offer the most comprehensive course of treatment. 24-hour monitoring and care are only available in residential treatment centers. Treatment usually lasts between 28 and 60 days. 

In residential treatment, medically assisted withdrawal can be performed in the safest possible atmosphere. It also allows a client to be cared for by healthcare professionals day and night. Medications can be adjusted and new treatments can be initiated with very little turnaround. Amenities often feature private rooms and nutritional support to ensure optimal health during detox and treatment.

Other advantages can include:

  • Individual and group counseling
  • A schedule that maximizes healthy living
  • Yoga and meditation classes
  • A secluded, discreet place to get clean
  • Interactions with nature
  • A health and exercise regimen
  • Around-the-clock emotional support

Residential rehab has been proven time and again to be the most effective form of drug rehab treatment and is the preferred method of treatment for most facilities. It is also the safest, allowing medical professionals to respond to emergencies and manage pain at any time.

Holistic, Evidence-Based Therapies

Depending upon the length of the substance use disorder or the amount of the drug taken into the body, detoxification could be necessary. Detox gives you the time and attention to withdraw from a drug safely and with as little discomfort as possible.

Often called medically assisted withdrawal or medication-assisted treatment, detoxification puts the client in the best possible position to maintain sobriety. Since many people relapse to avoid uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms, managing these symptoms with careful medication dosing allows the client a better chance to get and stay clean. Detox provides empowering physical and emotional support, and clients are never left alone in the process. Symptoms of withdrawal can set in and change quickly. Detox ensures a rapid response to each stage of withdrawal as it comes.

Therapeutic techniques used in rehab are evidence-based. The foremost of these is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Only the most effective methods are put to use in a proper rehab environment. These include CBT, dialectical behavior therapy, experiential therapy, trauma-informed interventions, motivational interviewing, and other forms of psychotherapy. By involving the body, mind, and spirit, the best rehab centers also engender a holistic approach to recovery, with a variety of treatments and activities. 

Professionals at Liberty Bay understand that a substance use disorder may have underlying causes and things that complicate it. People who struggle often have a second diagnosis underlying their disorder. That is why Liberty Bay Recovery places a heavy emphasis on dual diagnosis and treatment and comprehensive support for personalized treatment. At Liberty Bay, no stone is left unturned, and nothing is left to chance. We can and will work hard to reach the root of your substance use disorder and give you the best possible tools to manage it.

Liberty Bay Recovery as Your Best Choice for Treatment

Liberty Bay Recovery offers holistic, evidence-based treatment courses for prescription drug use disorders. Our staff brings multiple techniques and approaches to bear on substance use treatment.

Each of the aforementioned evidence-based therapies is employed at Liberty Bay. We endeavor to treat the whole person, not just the substance use disorder. Our holistic approach includes exercise, excursions in nature, recreation, and a highly structured schedule. Our team will help you find and grow the life skills necessary to avoid triggers and prevent relapse. Through our methods, our professional staff brings hope to clients who are struggling with substance use, prescription or otherwise.

The Holistic View of Drug Treatment

In treating the whole person, Liberty Bay places equal emphasis on the mind, body, and spirit. This holistic approach increases the chance for long-term recovery with fewer instances of relapse. At Liberty Bay Recovery, the emphasis is on the person and not just the disease. 

By attending to the physical, mental, and emotional aspects of a substance use disorder, you can build a healthy lifestyle with multiple levels of resistance to relapse. The more tools a client has at their disposal, the better the chances of lasting sobriety. 

Why Choose Liberty Bay Recovery?

Liberty Bay: Empowering Recovery in Maine

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