Prescription drug misuse is on the rise. Any form of drug missus or addiction is both a physical and mental illness, commonly beginning as a social activity. However, a prescription drug addiction is different. For most, the likes of painkillers and anti-depressants are prescribed by a medical professional to help ease the pain of an existing medical or mental health illness.
Individuals will usually follow dosage directions. However, as consistent consumption occurs, tolerances advance, resulting in greater doses. As individuals crave the full effect of the drug, consumption increases, moving users closer to a potential addiction. Withdrawal symptoms will then make an appearance, motivating consistent use of prescription drugs, and further substances in some cases.
Without seeking help through a drug rehab and treatment programme, a life-threatening chronic drug addiction is likely, influencing many dangers.
Here at Action Rehab, we are specialists, on hand to help those in this situation. We work with reputable rehab centres across the UK, known for their drug and mental health recovery plans. Reach out today before both psychological and physical damage is caused.
The Dangers of Misusing Prescription Drugs
Prescription drugs are commonly perceived as harmless, mainly used to subsidise general pain. However, if misused, there are many common dangers.
The biggest concerns are the clouded withdrawal symptoms of prescription drugs. When considering the likes of long-term cocaine use, common signs and symptoms of addiction are present. However, immediate visibility of a prescription drug addiction is unlikely. This is where damages will develop, quietly attacking the body and mind.
As long-term use occurs, common dangers include physical and mental damages. From organ damage to anxiety, depression and paranoia, life-altering health conditions are likely. Without seeking medical support and rehabilitation, long-term illnesses are likely, significantly reducing quality of life.
A further concern of a prescription drug addiction is the possibility of leading to further fixations. Those searching for the effects of drugs are likely to turn to harder, more hazardous substances, doubling the effects and dangers. Although an addiction can be diminished, this will make the rehab process harder and longer, with potential long-term side effects.
How Common is Prescription Pain Medication Addiction?
Prescription drug addiction is on the rise with more and more drugs becoming more accessible to purchase illegally online. Almost 12 million people in England (1 in 4) are reportedly abusing prescription medicines such as sleeping tablets and antidepressants.
There are some prescription drugs that are ore addictive than others and work by affecting your brains reward system by flooding it with dopamine. As time goes on and prescription drug intake becomes more frequent, the amount of the drug needed to reach the same high is often increased. Below are some of the most addictive prescription drugs.
The Signs and Symptoms of Prescription Drug Addiction
Drug abuse is usually stereotyped to young adults, either looking for attention or a way of coping. However, drug addiction can affect anyone, and even more so when considering prescription drug abuse.
For some individuals using prescription drugs innocently, spotting the signs and symptoms of a potential addiction can be difficult. Side effects of prescription opioid drugs may be less noticeable when comparing to the consumption of harder drugs, making the tell-tale signs difficult to recognise.
Common signs and symptoms of an addiction include the desire to visit the doctors more frequently, defensive behaviour towards mentioning prescription drugs and a disinterest in progressing in life. Additional physical signs include insomnia, increase use of alcohol, irritability and drowsiness.
If you are living with any of the above withdrawal symptoms, and are abusing prescribed drugs consistently, an addiction may have already developed. If you believe a loved one is becoming addicted to painkillers, reaching out to a rehab referral centre should be your next step. Here at Action Rehab, we are addiction and mental health recovery specialists, working with reputable, partnering alcohol and drug rehab centres across the UK. Get in touch with our team if you are experiencing any negative side effects before greater damage is caused.
The Dangers of a Prescription Drug Addiction
As prescription drugs are perceived as harmless, individuals believe that little dangers lie with consumption. However, like any other drug addiction, significant dangers are common when long-term consumption occurs.
Firstly, misuse of prescription drugs will affect an individual’s physical health, causing many connected medical conditions. Depending on the contents of the drug, differing effects will take place. However, damage to internal organs, including the liver and brain are common, influencing life-threatening medical issues.
Secondly, high use of prescription drugs will influence cognitive impairment. Psychological changes are likely, influencing a dual diagnosis of a mental health condition. From paranoia and schizophrenia, to depression and anxiety, those consuming high doses are likely to develop psychoses.
Thirdly, the most concerning danger is the blurred line between doses. As symptoms are harder to spot, individuals are less likely to understand consumption limits. In order to achieve that desired effects, individuals consuming prescription drugs are also known to develop further addictions to alcohol and illegal substances.
Misuse of prescription drugs can be life-altering. From physical and mental health impairment, to the inability to maintain family relationships, without seeking support through addiction treatment, a reduced quality of life is likely.
Signs and Symptoms that Rehab is Required
Are you struggling to go 24-hours without consuming some form of prescription drug? Are you visiting the doctors more frequently, demanding medication? Are you experiencing side effects from consistent use?
If you are experiencing any negativity from consuming prescription drugs, seeking support through a rehab centre should be your next step. Without expert support, an addiction can turn detrimental, resulting in life-altering changes.
If you’re currently consuming prescription drugs with little side effects, but believe that reducing intake will be difficult, seeking treatment and support will also be recommended. Attempting to go cold turkey alone is dangerous, and in most cases is impossible if addictive tendencies have already made an appearance.
Outpatient vs Inpatient Rehab
For some of our clients here at Action Rehab, outpatient treatment will be recommended. This is mainly the case if a mild fixation is present, which can be controlled through regular local therapy sessions.
However, if an addiction is present, residential rehab treatment should be provided if full recovery is a client’s goal. Attempting to overcome addiction at home or the surrounding area can be impossible, with constant temptation distracting clients. By visiting an around the clock rehab centre, offering addiction treatment and specialised support, recovery is highly probable.
Additionally, to overcome a prescription drug addiction, a medically supervised detox will be required. Attempting to detoxify from home can be highly dangerous and exhausting, carrying little success. Our medical professionals, located at our partnering rehab facilities will provide clients with the care they require to fully recover, in a safe, home from home environment.
How Long is Rehab?
Depending on a few factors, rehab timescales will alter. Our team will assess your addiction severity, its causation, the side effects you’re experiencing and your end goals. This information will help to form a personalised treatment programme, experienced at our rehab centres.
Please be aware that a quick fix isn’t effective when considering a drug addiction. Small steps in the form of addiction treatments will be required to fully diminish a prescription drug addiction. We will ensure you are progressing throughout, however, will only recommend a return home from rehab once you are prepared.
Addiction Treatment Available at Rehab
While visiting either of our rehab centres, you will complete a number of our industry leading drug addiction treatments. Depending on the severity of your addiction, and whether any connected mental health issues are present, treatment options will vary. We believe that personalisation will increase recovery chances for all clients.
Treatment options commonly experienced include cognitive behavioural therapy, medically supervised detoxes, individual therapy, support groups and family therapy. Each will move you closer to recovery by alleviating both physical and mental connections to prescription drugs.
Alongside rehabilitation, our team will further educate you and your loved ones on addiction, the signs and symptoms, and ways to overcome any future relapses. We will ensure you leave our rehab centre armed with life-saving tools to lead a prescription drug and substance free future.
The Effectiveness of Addiction Treatment
By completing a detox and a full treatment plan, success rates are high with our partnering rehab centres. By experiencing industry leading addiction treatments, specialised support and the care of a residential programme, full recovery is likely for our clients.
To increase the effectiveness of our addiction treatments, our team further offer outpatient aftercare services. These are in place to ensure your recovery is maintained. They will usually include regular support groups and motivational sessions, along with our expert guidance.
Although treatment programmes can take some time, by fully focusing on your addiction, likelihood of future relapses are minimal. Quick fixes sadly do not work with drug addiction. Small steps will be required to release the physical and psychological connection you have. Please be aware that timeframes for all clients will vary depending on their progression. We will do our utmost to observe your progression and ensure you are on the right road to recovery.
Residential Rehab here at Action Rehab
Although the rehab process can be difficult, especially if a chronic addiction is present, it is highly worth it. Our team will ensure you are comfortable and prepared to recover at our residential rehab facilities.
We are a team of addiction and mental health specialists, passionate about your recovery. We will do our utmost to ensure you are progressing towards your long-term goals through our addiction treatments and aftercare services, all provided at rehab.
If you are living with a prescription drug addiction, reach out for our expert support before greater damage is caused. Although damage may currently be invisible, your body, mind and quality of life will be affected negatively. We can guide you through recovery by recommending the most appropriate rehab centre for you. Contact our team here at Action Rehab. We will run through the rehab process with you and any concerns you may have before starting your journey of rehabilitation. Our success rates are high, our treatments are industry leading, and our care is specialised.
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John Gillen - Author - Last Updated: 16th November 2017
John is a leading expert in addiction recovery and has been pioneering new techniques such as NAD+ for over 10 years. He’s committed to providing the best treatment options available throughout Europe, including ongoing research into therapies like laser therapy to help people heal from their problems.
Dr Lapa - Addiction Psychiatrist - Last Reviewed: 29/03/2022 1:00 pm
MBBS, PG Dip Clin Ed, OA Dip CBT, OA Dip Psychology, SCOPE Certified
After graduating in 2000, Dr. Lapa has worked across a wide range of psychiatric settings with differing illness presentations and backgrounds; this was aligned to him continuing professional development at postgraduate level which involved clinical research that closely related everyday clinical practice
Dr Lapa is indemnified by the Medical and Dental Defence Union of Scotland (MDDUS) and MIAB Expert Insurance for Psychiatric and Private Medical practice. He is fully registered with the General Medical Council (GMC) in the UK with a licence to practice.
Member of Independent Doctors Federation (IDF), British Association for Psychopharmacology (BMA) and The Association for the Study of Obesity (ASO)
Dr Lapa’s extensive experience has also concentrated on the following areas of clinical practice:
– Assessment, Diagnosis and Pharmacological Treatment for Adults with ADHD.
– Drug and Alcohol Dependency and maintaining abstinence and continued recovery
– Intravenous and Intramuscular Vitamin and Mineral Infusion Therapy
– Dietary and Weight Management and thorough care from assessment to treatment to end goals and maintenance
– Aesthetic Practice and Procedures
