Do you or a loved one struggle with prescription drug abuse?  

Unsure where to turn for help amidst one of the worse nationwide epidemics we’ve seen in decades?  

Most of those using prescription medications take it as advised by their prescribing doctor.  

However, a National Institute on Drug Abuse study shows concern. An estimated 20% of US residents aged 12 and older have reported using prescription-grade drugs for non-medical purposes at least once in their life (that’s about 48 million people!).

The country’s modern-day addiction scene has worsened over the years.  Now, we witness year-to-year increases in the number of people turning to prescription pills (namely, opioids/painkillers) as a way to satisfy cravings.  The dramatic rise in recreational and chronic abuse of prescription medications has overwhelmed emergency response units, hospitals, and Prescription Drug Rehab centers across the nation.

As the rates of accidental overdoses rise, so have hospital and rehab center admissions.  Addiction education is a large part of one’s recovery from abuse to illicit and prescription drugs.  As part of Rehab South Florida’s perpetual effort to curb relapse/overdose rates we’re sponsoring this guide to help you learn how to get effective treatment for you and/or your loved one.

Prescription drug abuse isn’t an easy addiction to combat alone.  Professional, medical-supervised intervention ensures the best recovery outcome possible for struggling substance abusers.  Rehab for prescription drug abuse offers personalized support, around-the-clock care, and therapy for emotional support (depending on your level of treatment(s).

Understanding the science behind addiction and the treatment routes available to you will ensure you get on the right track to overcoming addiction in a near symptom-free approach.  

Here, you will learn more about these two important components of long-term recovery.

What’s drug addiction?  Why’s rehab better than at-home recovery?

Rehab’s that recognize addiction as a chronic brain disease often provide the most effective treatments and best recovery outcomes.  This is because addiction is a mental illness and needs to be treated as such.  

Despite the harmful effects drug-use can cause for users and those around them many still struggle with compulsive drug-seeking issues.  Drug abuse, including prescription-class drugs, change the way the brain functions.

First-time drug users are usually using voluntarily.  However, as time progresses, drug seekers may not be able to exercise control of their use due to changes in the brain that influence self-control and decision-making abilities.  This can cause intense impulses, withdrawals, and a craving to use the desired substance(s).

Drug addictions often worsen progressively.  If struggling with a prescription medication addiction it’s best to subject the dependency to the professional treatments of a Prescription Drug Rehab.

What are the most commonly abused prescription medications?

There are countless prescription-grade medication brands and classes on the market.  

However, Opioids, Central Nervous System depressants, and Stimulants are the three most commonly-abused.  

Highly addictive in nature with a high potential for abuse; such medications make it easy for short-term users to become dependent (especially when taking for recreational, non-medical use).

These medications can be extremely difficult to detox from; it’s even harder to stop use altogether (especially when attempting this alone without support/supervision).  

 

 

But, Prescription drug rehab centers (such as Rehab South Florida) give you access to a comprehensive continuum of care that treats the dependency itself and underlying causes of the addiction (giving you the best chances of long-term recovery.

Prescription Drug Use

When taken as prescribed, prescription opioids and other painkillers can manage pain rather well.  They’re able to improve the quality of life for most people struggling with chronic pain. In fact, short-term use of opioids under a doctor’s supervision infrequently leads to addiction/dependence.

However, long-term opioid use can result in abuse and physical/mental dependence.

Opioid Abuse is HIGHLY Dangerous

Abuse of opioids can be life-threatening, especially in an overdose.  

In cases where prescription drug abuse is taking place concurrently with the use of central nervous system medications (such as Xanax, alcohol, barbiturates, and other benzodiazepines, such as Alprazolam) greatly increases the chances of respiratory depression (it can even be fatal).

Opioid abuse has run rampant in Florida; especially in Southern regions.  For prescription-induced addictions, undergoing treatment in a medically supervised environment (rehab) is ideal.  Addiction is complex in nature to treat; even more so for those involving pharmaceutical-grade medications that impact cognitive function.

Prescription drug rehab centers such as Rehab South Florida employ staff members with decades of prescription-based addiction treatment experience.  Here, you can receive detox, treatment, and relapse-prevention treatments to help you put an end to addiction.

As always, when it comes to prescription drug abuse, it is NEVER recommended to try an at-home detox/treatment kit.  Due to the possible medical complications that could arise during withdrawals, it’s best to receive treatment in

Prescription drug rehab so that withdrawals, cravings, and any other medical emergencies that may arise can be tended to immediately upon emerging.

How CNS Depressants affect the body – Get the FACTS

Benzodiazepines are scientifically formulated to depress the central nervous system.  Insomnia, for example, challenges nearly 40 million adult-aged American’s every year. It’s one of the many health conditions that people use benzodiazepines to treat (along with anxiety).

CNS depressants directly affect the brains gamme-aminobutyric acid, or, GABA (for short).  GABA reduces brain function which causes users to feel groggy, calm, relaxed, and drowsy.

Also, barbiturates, which include amobarbital (Amytal), pentobarbital (Nembutal), phenobarbital (Luminal), and secobarbital (Seconal), are also considered CNS-depressant medications often used for anesthesia and the treatment of seizures.  At one point, they were frequently prescribed to treat insomnia/anxiety (as a short-term solution).  

However, due to the chance of an overdose, benzodiazepines have now replaced most of these prescriptions (as they’re safer in nature).

Now, taking CNS depressants (as prescribed by your doctor) may be helpful for a few days/weeks.  But, after extended use, your body will grow a tolerance; you’ll soon desire to increase your dosage intake.  Additionally, the intake CNS depressants concurrently with alcohol can slow down your heart rate to vitally low life-threatening levels.

It’s important to know that if you’ve been taking CNS depressants for a while the sudden cessation of use can bring about life-threatening effects (withdrawal seizures, for example).

If you struggle with an addiction or are witnessing a friend or loved one with a prescription drug addiction; seek treatment at a Prescription drug rehab to avoid the dangers of solo-recovery attempts.  In short, stopping use alone is dangerous and shouldn’t be attempted. 

Rehab South Florida is one of Florida’s leading recovery centers.  Having helped thousands of clients with overcoming prescription-based addictions they achieve higher-than-average success rate for patients with evidence-backed treatments that ensure positive recovery attempts.  Recovery should be done safely and rehab is a perfect step to ensuring that.

How do Stimulants affect the brain/body?

CNS stimulants greatly enhance the user’s energy, alertness, and attention levels.  Upon the intake of such medications, heart rate, blood pressure, and blood sugar level rises are imminent.  CDN stimulants also constrict vital blood vessels and also open respiratory system pathways.

Initially, stimulants were used solely for the treatment of asthma and obesity.  In modern-day treatments, they’re used for the treatments of issues such as ADHD, ADD, narcolepsy, and depression.  

Stimulant brands include dextraoamphetamine (Dexedrine, Dextrostat, ProCenta), methlyphenidate (Conerta, Methylin, Ritalin, Daytrana), lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse), and Adderall (amphetamine and dextroamphetamine together).

These are powerful stimulants and should NEVER be used for non-medical purposes without a prescription from a doctor.  When taken the right way, under doctor supervision, they are rather safe to use. However, when abused, intaking higher-than-prescribed doses or crushing pills for a HIGH can (and often will) lead to abuse.  

It’s also important to know that combining the use of decongestants with stimulants is NOT safe; it can lead to irregular heart rhythms and unusually high body temperatures.

Why’s Prescription Drug Abuse a growing problem?

Most Prescription drug rehab centers agree the increased abuse rates are attributed to easier access to drugs from street-level distributors.  Doctor’s report that they prescribe medications to more patients now than they ever have before. Often, these are addiction-fighting prescriptions to treat withdrawals from stimulants, CNS depressants, and most often; opioids.

It also doesn’t help that online vendors for such drugs have made it easier for drug-seekers to get access to their desired pill(s).

Prescription Drug Addiction Treatment in Florida

Rehab South Florida is an award-winning Prescription rehab center offering recovery-focused treatments.  The staff’s patient-centric approach gives clients undivided attention, on-demand withdrawal treatments, and heart-felt support.  Understanding the complexities of addiction; RSF’s continuum of care has adapted to and improved upon industry-treatment standards.

RSF doesn’t meet the standard in prescription treatment recovery, they SET IT.  

Multiple levels of care (including IOP/OP) are available with some designed specifically to treat prescription addictions.  If you or a loved one could use help, contact a friendly admission specialist that will answer any questions you have at 561-933-5522.

A life-changing experience is only one phone call away.