In the USA alone, there are 18 million people over the age of 12 that have been identified as abusing prescription drugs. This number represents over 6% of the entire United States population. In many cases, prescription drug abuse starts when someone receives this medication as part of a treatment for pain following a procedure or accident. Our clinic specializes in helping patients who are currently suffering from addiction to prescription drugs break the habit and take control of their lives.
About Prescription Drug Abuse
Prescription drug abuse is defined as the use of medication outside of the use prescribed by your physician. Consumption of these drugs can cause alterations in the way the brain functions. While you may have started taking them to recover from surgery or an injury, alterations in your brain can make it difficult for you to exert self-control. Decision-making abilities become impaired, and the urge to take more of the medication can reach uncontrollable levels.
How Our Clinic Can Help
Our clinic provides counseling services that help people suffering from prescription drug abuse take control of their lives and beat the addiction. Our addiction experts will help determine the severity of your addiction and suggest effective means for tackling it. This can include helping you build good habits, manage situations that inspire you to take the medication, and, when necessary, seek medical help to help you overcome your addiction.
Common Questions You Can Ask Your Counselor
What Are The Most Frequently Abused Prescription Drugs?
Studies and reports from the National Institute on Drug Abuse have identified the three most common classes of prescribed drugs associated with addiction. These three classes are opioids, Central Nervous System Depressants, and stimulants.
What Makes Opioids Addictive?
These drugs are effective for managing pain but also have a high incidence of addiction in those using them over the long term. Their effectiveness in treating pain makes them a common choice for prescribing to patients with chronic pain. The drugs suppress pain and also induce a feeling of joy and peace that can make them attractive for abuse. Many people who become addicted will transition to snorting or even injecting them to achieve this effect quicker.
What Makes CNS (Central Nervous System) Depressants Addictive?
Drugs like Xanax, Ativan, and Valium are effective for treating anxiety, insomnia, and other sleep disorders through their effect on Gamma-aminobutyric acid, or GABA. This chemical is the one responsible for making you feel calm and drowsy by reducing brain activity. Barbituates are also CNS depressants and are typically used to treat seizures. The tendency to need larger doses to reach the calm and drowsy effect makes them a likely candidate for abuse.
Why Are Stimulants Addictive?
Stimulants are a common treatment for obesity, asthma, narcolepsy, ADD, ADHD, and depression. They can enhance alertness, attention-span, energy levels, and open the airways to make you feel upbeat and energetic. These make them popular for abuse, especially among college students and those with demanding jobs that require high degrees of focus.
If you’re concerned you may have an addiction to prescription drugs and are looking for guidance on taking control of your use, call our offices today. We help people like you take a realistic look at their prescription drug use and find ways to overcome their dependence. We can work with you and your medical provider to find ways to help you on your road to recovery, including finding alternative methods of treating your pain.
