Increase in Need for Prescription Drug Addiction Treatment
12/19/18: Addiction Recovery
The rise in the need for prescription drug addiction treatment has been seen nationwide, including drug rehabs in Phoenix. There are multiple factors why prescription drug abuse has risen in recent years, reaching epidemic levels in some parts of the country. The misconception that prescription drugs are safer than street drugs is one factor. Another being the availability of many different substances, as the amount of prescriptions of highly abused substances such as painkillers and central nervous system depressants have increased in recent years. Thankfully, there are treatment options available for individuals seeking to overcome this often crippling addiction.What Defines Prescription Drug Abuse
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, prescription drug abuse is defined as when a person takes a medication in a manner or dosage other than what is prescribed. For example, this would mean an individual taking twice as many pain-killers as they are prescribed, or ingesting them for reasons other than explicitly-stated by the medication label. Prescription drug abuse is also when a person is using another individual’s medication, even if the reason for taking the substance is to treat a legitimate medical issue. In terms of the drugs that are most likely to be abused, there are three classes of medication that are most commonly misused. Opioids are one of the most prevalent medications to be abused, as they are used to treat pain and can have euphoric effects for users. Between June 2017 and September 2018, Arizona had approximately 1,689 suspected opioid deaths and 11,196 opioid overdoses, highlighting the dangers of misusing this widely-prescribed substance. Central nervous system depressants, which include things such as tranquilizers, sedatives, and hypnotics, are another category of drugs which are likely to be abused. The third class of medications likely to be misused are stimulants, which encompass most drugs used to treat attention-deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Unfortunately, prescription drug abuse can have a number of negative health outcomes for those afflicted with this disorder, showcased by the shocking number of deaths and overdoses in Arizona in the last year. As with other forms of addiction, prescription drug abuse can begin to affect all areas of a person’s life. It can strain their relationships with friends and family, it can create undesirable physical and mental health side effects and decrease an individual’s overall state of health. Signs of prescription drug abuse vary according to the substance. However there are signs to watch out for that include increased agitation, abnormal behavior such as slurred speech, confusion, and memory issues.Reasons for an Increase in Drug Rehab for Prescription Drug Abuse
In recent years, prescription drug abuse has increased dramatically, creating a crisis of epic proportions. In fact, prescription drugs are one of the most widely-abused substances in the United States, as an estimate 54 million people over the age of 12 misused a prescription drug over the course of their lifetime. The availability of prescription drugs is seen as one of the biggest reasons why prescription drug abuse has seen an increase in recent years. Often times, abuse may begin as a result of a legitimate prescription prescribed by a medical physician, eventually leading a person to abuse the substance and become dependent upon it. Individuals may also steal legally prescribed medications from friends and family, as it is easier to access than many street drugs. In fact, prescription drugs are abused more than cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine combined. Another major factor for why prescription drug use has seen a rise in Arizona and the Phoenix-area are due to the misconception that prescription medications are safer than illicit street drugs, as they are given out by licensed professionals. Unfortunately, these drugs can be a serious health concern when abused. The legal status of pharmaceutical drugs does not affect the safety of a particular substance. Much like with other forms of addiction, prescription drug abuse can result from a lack of purpose and a feeling of disconnection from the world. Conditions such as depression as well as past trauma can contribute to the likelihood of someone becoming addicted to these substances. The rise in overall usage is a major reason why drug rehabs in Phoenix have seen an increase for the need of prescription drug addiction treatment.Treatment Options for Prescription Drug Addiction
Thankfully, there are now many resources available to individuals struggling with this serious condition. Drug rehab facilities have responded to the increase in drug abuse with programs which are specifically designed to treat prescription drug abuse. Treatment will address the specific substance which is being abused in order to create an effective recovery plan. Treatment may include a variety of modalities in order to successfully overcome the addiction. Treatment may include components such as medically-supervised detoxification, individual and group therapy, medications, and other multi-faceted approaches. Drug addiction is very often rooted in a psychological component, which rehab practitioners will seek to address based on an individual’s unique needs and circumstances. Medications may be used to help a person with the chemical addiction, as drugs such as Naloxone may be used to help a person abstain from abusing opioids. Behavioral treatments, whether in the form of cognitive behavioral therapy or through patient-directed sobriety plans which set a person up to successfully overcome their addiction may also be a major part of the recovery model. If you or someone you know is struggling with prescription drug abuse, it’s important to seek help before the issue becomes more serious than it already is. Thankfully, there are many effective treatment programs that are available in the Phoenix-area to help an individual overcome their addiction to prescription drugs. Arizona Addiction is a trusted resource for clients seeking to conquer their drug addiction and attain the quality of life they deserve. We provide the most up-to-date information for our clients, ensuring you are empowered with the latest tools and resources necessary to achieve sobriety. Contact our trusted team of caring professionals today to begin your road to recovery. Content for Arizona Addiction by Cohn Media, LLC. Passionate and creative writing and broadcasting, covering the following industries: addiction rehab, health care, entertainment and technology. Advocate of clear communication, positivity and humanity at its best. www.cohn.mediaIf you or someone you know needs help with addiction, contact 602-737-1619 or email [email protected] to get the help you need. Our acclaimed recovery environment merges upscale, luxury accommodations with affordability, clinical expertise and an unwavering commitment to patient care and aftercare.
