Millions of people use prescription medication to address a range of ailments from physical, to emotional, to psychological issues. Unfortunately, sometimes these prescription drugs can lead to physical dependence. Typically, this is due to some form of abuse or misuse. One way to identify if you or someone you care about is struggling with or in danger of developing a substance use disorder is by recognizing the symptoms of prescription drug abuse.
A concerning fact about prescription drugs is that sometimes you can become addicted to them even if you’re using them as prescribed. Withdrawal is usually the first sign of addiction. This happens when prescription drugs are misused. So, when you stop taking them, your body goes through withdrawal. There are several options if you’re looking for prescription drug addiction treatment in Texas. But your first step is recognizing when prescription drug use has become a problem.
What Is Prescription Drug Abuse?
Prescription drug abuse occurs when individuals use prescription medications (of their own or someone else’s) against or without a doctor’s instruction. For some, this may be to experience a high. But it can also come about in an attempt to self-medicate. Another way individuals find themselves involved in prescription drug abuse is by using their medications incorrectly, typically by taking the medications beyond the time recommended or in a dosage that exceeds instructions. These instances of prescription drug abuse greatly increase the risk of developing a substance use disorder or addiction.
Symptoms of Prescription Drug Abuse
When the body forms a tolerance to a drug, it requires more and more to feel the desired effects. This is how addiction or dependency begins. When the prescription drug is no longer used, a sign of abuse or addiction is withdrawal.
Withdrawal can happen even if you aren’t abusing the medication. Some of the most misused and addictive prescription drugs include:
- Opioid painkillers like Oxycodone, morphine, codeine, and fentanyl
- Central nervous system (CNS) depressants like benzodiazepines and anti-anxiety medication like alprazolam (Xanax)
- Stimulants and amphetamines (Adderall and Ritalin) are used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
Studies show that the severity of the withdrawal depends on the amount the prescription is taken per day and which prescription is taken. Some of the mild symptoms of prescription drug abuse and withdrawal include:
- dilated pupils
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Fatigue
- Sweating
- muscle and joint aches
- Anxiety
- Irritability
- Shakiness
- Pallor
- increased heart rate
More severe symptoms like hallucinations and seizures can arise when dealing with potent medications like opioids. With that in mind, recognizing the symptoms of prescription drug abuse is key to finding the right opioid addiction treatment program.
How A Drug and Alcohol Detox Center Can Help With Prescription Drug Withdrawal
Often there are other non-addictive medications that you can take to ease the level of discomfort. Access to medications to help with the discomfort of withdrawal is one of the benefits of going to a drug and alcohol detox center. Reputable drug and alcohol detox centers provide medication-assisted treatment that will provide the non-addictive medications needed to alleviate the discomfort of withdrawal. An example of this is Methadone. Methadone is routinely used to help people struggling with the detox symptoms of narcotic medication.
Studies show that 90 days is the ideal amount of time to spend in treatment. Furthermore, this amount of time increases your chances of fully recovering. Ultimately, this takes the body and brain time to heal from addiction.
After completing detox at a drug and alcohol detox center, Northern Illinois Recovery Center is happy to assist with continuing your recovery. We offer a variety of programs to keep you on the path to recovery. Typically, the best course of action for addiction treatment is an outpatient program. We offer addiction treatment programs like:
- Partial hospitalization program
- Intensive outpatient program
- Outpatient treatment
These substance use disorder treatment programs allow you to keep your life as normal as possible.
Find the Support Necessary to Heal
If you need substance abuse treatment in Texas, then learning to identify the symptoms of prescription drug abuse is your first step. Knowing that a substance use disorder or addiction has developed means knowing it’s necessary to find support.
