Prescription Drug Addiction Treatment in Maine
When most people hear the term “drug addiction,” what comes to mind are alcohol, heroin, or cocaine addiction. However, prescription drug addiction is an addiction like any other. It can severely affect the user, and treatment is necessary for patients. There are various types of prescription addictions, and treatments are required for both. Sometimes, multiple treatments may be required to treat the addiction successfully.
Why Do People Abuse Prescription Drugs?
The country’s most widely used illicit substance is marijuana, with prescription medication abuse coming in second. Although prescription drug abuse is widespread in the U.S., 87.2% of people who use prescription painkillers do not abuse them. There are significant public health repercussions from knowing the incidence and causes of prescription medication abuse.
Misuse of prescription medications includes using them in any way that a doctor has not instructed the respondent to use them, such as using them without a prescription of one’s own; using them in higher doses, more frequently, or for more extended periods than has been prescribed; or using them in any other way that a doctor has not instructed the respondent to use them. Over-the-counter drug use and legal prescription medication use are not considered abuse forms. Still, prescription drug abuse is common, especially among teens. There are plenty of reasons that teens abuse prescription drugs.
They Are Legal and Easily Accessible
One of the primary reasons that most people abuse drugs is because they are easily accessible. Prescription drugs are given out by the doctor as long as the patient is suffering from a specific health condition. Also, patients can buy the medications over the counter and use them even if they don’t need to.
Furthermore, some people abuse drugs because their doctors prescribe them. They justify themselves that because the doctor knows what they are prescribing the medication there is nothing wrong with using it however they see fit.
To Fit In
Prescription drug abuse is prevalent among teens and young adults. Some do not even know why they abuse the drug and keep using it because they see their friends doing so. They get hooked on the euphoric feeling that the drug provides and don’t even know when they get addicted.
Gateway Drug
A prescription drug is the primary gateway drug for most people. Patients use prescription drugs as an experiment, and before they know it, they use more severe and dangerous drugs. What starts as a simple experiment leads the victim to more potent and dangerous drugs such as heroin and cocaine.
Attempts to Fight Depression
Depression is prevalent in the U.S., and the rates have increased even more in recent years with the rise of social media. Millions of people, especially teens, are depressed and can start using prescription drugs to escape their depression.
To Self-Medicate
One of the most common triggers for individuals to take prescription medicines is to self-medicate. Stress, anxiety, undiagnosed mental illness, severe depression, trauma, and loneliness are potential triggers for people to medicate themselves. These factors can quickly push a person over the edge and cause them to start taking drugs as a coping mechanism.
Types of Prescription Addictions
Different people in Maine abuse drugs for different reasons. Some of the most abused drugs in the state include:
Amphetamines
Amphetamines are prescribed as stimulants for treating ADHD and narcolepsy. Some of the most commonly abused amphetamines include Adderall and Dexedrine. When constantly abused, amphetamines can lead to seizures, heart attack, hallucinations, paranoia, and aggressiveness.
Vicodin
Vicodin, which is an opioid pain medication, is one of the prescription medicines that is abused the most frequently. Abuse of this medication can result in severe adverse effects such as sleepiness, nausea, dizziness, and confusion. Sometimes, it can lead to low blood pressure, unconsciousness, and even death. Using it with alcohol or other substances that depress the central nervous system, such as sedatives, is exceedingly harmful.
Cough Medicine
Many over-the-counter and prescription cough treatments contain opioids like codeine and potent antihistamines. Abusing these products has the same effect on the central nervous system as abusing Vicodin. Cough treatments that are available over the counter can potentially cause issues. They frequently include the stimulant medication dextromethorphan in their composition. When taken in excessive quantities, this drug can cause a rapid increase in heart rate and blood pressure as well as nausea and paranoia. Remember that “over-the-counter” does not necessarily indicate “safe.” You can still overdose on the cough medications.
Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines are depressants of the central nervous system; they reduce brain and nervous system activity. They are classified as sedatives or moderate tranquilizers. They are often prescribed to treat sleeplessness, anxiety, and panic attacks. The most common examples of benzodiazepines include Xanax and Ativan. Abuse of these substances can result in confusion, vertigo, decreased coordination and memory, and low blood pressure. Combining these substances with alcohol raises the risk of respiratory difficulties and even death.
Barbiturates
Barbiturates are a type of central nervous depressant. Sometimes, they can be used as a tranquilizer or sedative. Some of the common examples of barbiturates include Seconal and Nembutal. In most cases, barbiturates are prescribed for insomnia, anxiety, and seizures. The drugs have the same effects as benzodiazepines when abused. Additionally, they can lead to fever and severe withdrawal.
Oxycontin
Oxycontin is a slow-release version of oxycodone. Because of how long it continues to relieve pain, many medical professionals recommend it for patients suffering from chronic pain. However, it is also frequently misused. Many abusers crush it, which can be extremely dangerous since it destroys the timed-release formulation. As a result, it releases huge amounts of narcotics although it is designed to be done within 12 hours. Abusing oxycontin can be lethal.
Ritalin
Ritalin is a stimulant, and it is commonly abused in the United States. The stimulant is prescribed for ADHD. Like other prescribed stimulants, Ritalin poses various risks, including decreased blood pressure, weight loss, decreased appetite, and digestion issues.
Prescription Drugs Withdrawal
Addiction to prescription drug treatment could require detoxification, depending on the type of drug you were addicted to. Still, the treatment comes with serious withdrawal problems, and you should consider getting treatment under the care of your doctor. Different prescription drugs come with different withdrawal symptoms.
Opioid Withdrawal
Opioid tapering entails progressively decreasing the medication’s dosage until it is no longer used. Other drugs, like clonidine (Catapres), can aid in managing withdrawal symptoms from opioids. Doctors may use buprenorphine, buprenorphine plus naloxone (Suboxone), or methadone under precise, legally regulated, and monitored conditions to alleviate withdrawal symptoms from opioid medicines. During recovery, monthly injections of medications administered by a healthcare provider may assist patients in avoiding opioid use.
Anti-anxiety and Sedatives Withdrawal
If you have been on prescription sedatives or anti-anxiety medications for a significant time, it may take several weeks for you to gradually wean off them. It may take that long for your body to acclimatize to low dosages of the medicine and then get acclimated to getting used to taking none at all of the drugs because withdrawal symptoms can occur. You may need other medication to keep your mood stable, get through the last stages of tapering, or get some relief from your anxiety. You’ll need to collaborate carefully with your medical professional for the best results.
Prescription Stimulant Withdrawal
There are no medications that the FDA has approved for treating withdrawal from stimulants. The goal of treatment is to gradually reduce the medicine dosage while simultaneously alleviating withdrawal symptoms such as trouble sleeping, fatigue, and depression.
Types of Treatments for Addiction to Prescription Drugs
Detoxification is not the only treatment method for prescription drugs. The problem can also be treated through other approaches.
Counseling
A licensed drug counselor can help anyone dealing with addiction to prescription drugs. These experts provide family or group counseling, and they can help you:
• Determine the factors that made you start abusing prescription drugs in the first place
• Learn skills that can help you resist cravings to abuse prescription drugs
• Find ways to develop positive relationships with those close to you for your benefit and their benefit
• Learn how to get involved in healthy activities that do not require you to use drugs
• Prepare for relapse in case it happens
Behavioral Therapies
Behavioral therapy teaches patients to modify their attitudes and behaviors about drug use and increase their life skills. You can get behavioral therapy from drug rehab in Maine. The options offered are often outpatient treatment or inpatient treatment. Outpatient programs allow you to come from home while inpatient programs dictate that you get treatment from the treatment facility.
The options offered include cognitive-behavioral therapy, which teaches you how to recognize, avoid, and cope with issues that can trigger your drug use. Some treatment facilities use motivational incentives, a process that uses positive reinforcement to encourage drug use abstinence.
Coping and Support
Overcoming any drug addiction requires more than getting help from drug rehab. It is a challenging and stressful journey that requires you to get help from anywhere you can. Therefore, you must get support from friends, family, and any organization you might belong to. You can look for help from:
• Trusted family members
• Church or members of your faith
• A school counselor or nurse
• Employee assistance program
• Support groups
• Self-help groups such as a 12-step program
Don’t feel embarrassed to ask for help from family members or friends. Addiction to prescription drugs is a disease, and there should be no shame in asking for help. Your friends will not be judgmental or get angry; even if they are, they’ll understand that you are seeking help and respect your honesty. Anyone who truly cares about you will stand with you.
Helping a Loved One Struggling with Addiction
Approaching a loved one about drug addiction can be challenging. Denial and rage are common reactions, and you may worry about confrontation or hurting your connection. Show the person you care. Encourage them to be honest about their problem and accept help. Trusted feedback is more likely to be heeded. Patients often deny or refuse therapy. And they may not know the harm they cause. Luckily, an intervention can encourage addiction treatment.
An intervention involves a person’s family, friends, and other people who care. An interventionist, addiction specialist, psychologist, or counselor can help organize an intervention. This is a chance to address the person about addiction and ask for help. An intervention allows your loved one to change before things grow worse. Once they are convinced that getting help is the best thing to do, you can take them to the nearest drug rehab or one that is far away if they prefer that.
Liberty Bay Recovery Center
At Liberty Bay Recovery Center, you will discover the power of freedom once you are out of your drug addiction. Our alcohol and drug detox center is located in Portland, Maine. It is a home for compassionate and experienced addicts who will be with you throughout your journey to recovery. You will get help from experienced counselors and drug experts in a safe and comfortable environment.
Our options include inpatient rehab and partial hospitalization, an intensive outpatient program, and an outpatient rehab program. Whichever option you prefer, we can help. Don’t allow addiction to stop you from reaching your full potential; seek help today.
