How to Beat Prescription Drug Addiction

In the past, most people were under the assumption that if a doctor prescribed medication it was not only good for them but that it surely wouldn’t harm them. In the harsh awakening of the recent decade or so, that belief has been decimated. It is now abundantly evident that the drugs being dispensed at the local pharmacy have the potential to result in addiction, dependency, and even death. In fact, between 1999-2016, over 200,000 people died from prescription opioid overdoses, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

There now exists in the U.S. a sense of urgency to rein in the overprescribing of these powerful drugs, close down “pill mills” or irresponsible pain management clinics that have been found to be defrauding Medicare, and shut down the enticements and spiffs that were motivating doctors to prescribe these deadly drugs. For the individuals already on these opioids, knowing how to beat prescription drug addiction is the first step to seeking recovery.

Overcoming an addiction to pain medications is difficult. The process of breaking free of addiction or dependency is no different than if the drug was heroin. It takes abundant patience and time to maintain abstinence. Some may find that medication-assisted treatment can help as a step-down from prescription opioid addiction, so in those cases, Suboxone or naltrexone has been useful in early recovery. These drugs can reduce cravings and block the euphoric effects of the prescription drug, reducing the desire to use them over time.

About Prescription Drug Addiction

Prescription drug addiction includes not only opioids, but also stimulants such as Adderall and benzodiazepines, such as Xanax, Ativan, or Valium. All of these prescription drugs have the potential to cause serious harm to someone’s physical and mental health, their career, their family, their financial health, and their relationships. All prescription drugs mentioned here will lose their effectiveness over time.

Once the brain has imprinted a positive reward connection, the individual will seek to continue experiencing the beneficial effects of the drug but will have to take more of it to get the same effect. As the dosing is increased, the brain becomes overwhelmed by the flood of dopamine, in the case of prescription opioids, and will stop producing natural dopamine, relying on the continued drug use. With benzodiazepines, the GABA neurotransmitters are impacted. With Adderall, a stimulant, the brain’s serotonin is impacted. With continued overuse of any of these drug classes, brain chemistry is impaired as addiction takes root.

How to Beat Prescription Drug Addiction

When asking how to beat prescription drug addiction, the first step to take is to seek professional treatment. It is next to impossible to safely get off these drugs without a supervised detox and a structured treatment program. During the intake process, a complete assessment will be conducted to determine the best course of treatment for the particular prescription drug of abuse, as it varies accordingly.

Detoxification is the first step in recovery. Detox and withdrawal is unpleasant and many individuals attempt to go through it alone on their own. This is never recommended, as the withdrawal symptoms can be so uncomfortable or painful that the individual will discontinue their efforts and return to the drug. For a successful and safe detox, the individual should be in supervised detox.

Following detox, how to beat prescription drug addiction involves a multidimensional treatment plan designed specifically for the client’s needs. It is through psychotherapy and other treatment activities that the individual will learn how to actually break the addictive reflex and learn new responses and behaviors when encountering stressors or triggers. Psychotherapy also helps clients work through any underlying emotional pain or past traumas that could be factored in the addiction.

Medication-Assisted Treatment

Some clients benefit from medication-assisted treatment (MAT) to help them during detox and in the early months of recovery. The use of the drugs has the potential for abuse, so MAT patients should be monitored and the drug should not be prescribed indefinitely. These MAT drugs include Suboxone, which is composed of buprenorphine and naloxone, and naltrexone. These drugs can help reduce cravings as a result of the impact they have on the brain’s opioid receptors.

Prescription drug addiction can indeed be overcome with a commitment to recovery and a solid aftercare program that includes sober living and outpatient therapy following the inpatient program.

Golf Drug Rehab Provides Effective Treatment for Prescription Drug Addiction

Golf Drug Rehab is an elite drug and alcohol rehabilitation program in Southern California, located in the coastal region of Orange County, California. When wondering how to beat prescription drug addiction, we provide the most current, evidence-based treatment methods available for a successful recovery from prescription opioids, stimulants, and benzodiazepines. Our unique program model combines proven psychotherapy modalities, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, contingency management, and motivation enhancement therapy, with recreational golf. Our clients enjoy the use of three amazing local golf courses to help aid them, providing exercise and enjoyment, while they are in treatment. For more information, please contact Golf Drug Rehab today at (877) 958-5320