Prescription drug addiction is a commonly found challenge in today’s world due to the addictive quality of many prescription drugs and the high amount of prescriptions that are written. Every individual’s path to addiction is unique. However, the path to prescription drug addiction commonly begins with using a prescription drug to a small degree and ends with difficulty stopping. It has a significant impact on a person’s life, as well as on those they love. Therefore, at PCP – The Perry Clayman Project, we aim to help individuals heal through a combination of addiction treatment and detox.
The misuse of prescription medication is when a person uses a medication in a manner different from how it was prescribed. This can look different for each person but can include using a medication in a higher dosage, more often than prescribed or using another person’s prescription. The most commonly misused medications include opioids, which are used to treat pain and are highly addictive. In addition, central nervous system (CNS) depressants such as sedatives and hypnotics are also commonly abused. Finally, stimulants that are often prescribed to treat attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are also misused regularly.
The Path to Prescription Drug Addiction
Many prescription drugs are potent, have a significant impact on how a person feels, and are highly addictive. The path to prescription drug addiction is unique for each individual. However, it often starts with a prescription. This could be in order to help an individual with pain management, such as opioids after a significant surgery. Regardless of the reason, an individual was introduced to the drug slowly.
As a person continues to use a prescription, the effect of the drug begins to wear off. Individuals who have a prescription are often in moderate to severe discomfort. This can be either mental or physical. Therefore, when the dosage wears off, they become uncomfortable once again. Seeking relief, an individual reaches for another dosage.
However, over time, the body becomes accustomed to having the drug. Therefore, an individual becomes physically dependent and addicted to the substance. This change is created due to changes that occur in the brain. These changes lead individuals to seek more of the substance to manage withdrawal symptoms and discomfort that they experience when not using the substance. While this is not the only path to prescription drug addiction, it is a common experience for many.
Impact of Prescription Drug Addiction
Prescription drug addiction has a significant impact on a person’s life. The changes that occur in the brain make an individual reorient their life towards drug use. As such, they are likely to use their money, time, and resources irresponsibly. Therefore, individuals can end up in financial trouble, not completing work tasks sufficiently, and not maintaining important relationships in their lives.
Prescription drug addiction also has a significant impact on the lives of loved ones. The loved ones of individuals with prescription drug addiction have little to no control over their addiction. However, they are faced with symptoms, including varying moods. Additionally, addiction makes it difficult for loved ones to connect. While this is hard for those struggling with drug addiction, it is also a challenge for their loved ones.
Signs and Symptoms
While every individual’s experience with prescription drug addiction is unique, there are some common signs and symptoms. These include physical changes due to addiction and behavioural differences.
Behavioural Changes
When an individual is struggling with prescription drug addiction, many of their behaviours change. Behaviours that are a sign of drug addiction include:
- Using a prescription after the symptoms it was prescribed for have dissipated
- Making up symptoms to get more of a prescription
- Lack of interest in previously enjoyed activities
- Disinterest in other methods of healing other than drugs
- Agitation towards others or self
- Poor decision making
- Change in demeanour, for example, more hyped up or sedated than normal
- Withdrawing from loved ones and community
Physical Symptoms
In addition to these changes in behaviour, physical symptoms are also often present in prescription drug addiction. Physical symptoms commonly include:
- Flu-like symptoms when drug effects have worn off
- Insomnia
- Night sweats
- Joint and muscle aches
- Overall agitation increase
Comprehensive Treatment for Drug Addiction
Treatment for prescription drug addiction can seem daunting. At PCP – The Perry Clayman Project, we offer treatment that is comprehensive. The process often begins with drug detox. Through detox, individuals begin to heal physically from drug addiction. They go through withdrawal symptoms with the help and support of our team, who help them to remain comfortable and safe through the process.
The next step is drug addiction treatment. Drug addiction treatment is the process individuals go through to learn how to make changes to heal from addiction and regain their lives. This process includes multiple different types of therapeutic modalities that support individuals in making changes.
However, at PCP – The Perry Clayman Project, this is not the last step. We also offer aftercare. In aftercare, individuals have support and care as they return home from treatment. They get the continuation of treatment while integrating back into their lives, which helps facilitate the maintenance of the changes and growth that they have had in treatment.
While prescription drugs are highly effective and commonly prescribed, they are also incredibly addictive and can derail an individual’s life. If you are interested in learning more about how, at PCP – The Perry Clayman Project, we help individuals to heal from prescription drug addiction, call us today at 08000 380 480.