Prescription Drug Addiction

The prevalence of prescription drug abuse can vary according to age, gender, and socioeconomic factors.

Here are the most common causes and risk factors associated with prescription drug addiction:

• Misuse: Drugs prescribed for pain relief, anxiety, and improved focus are an easily accessible and inexpensive means of altering the user's mental and physical state. That makes them more likely to be misused.
• Genetic Predisposition: Some people are more prone to addiction than others because of their genetic inheritance. Genes can account for up to 60% of the tendency to become addicted.
• Co-Occurring Mental Health Conditions: Addiction and mental health conditions like depression and anxiety have some of the same underlying causes, including changes in brain chemistry and exposure to trauma.
• Recreational Misuse: The desire for a pleasurable experience or feeling can lead to substance abuse over time. What started as occasional prescription drug misuse can lead to intense cravings and a cycle of dependency.
• Social and Environmental Causes: Peer pressure, dysfunctional family environment, neighborhood culture, and even poor social skills can increase the proclivity to substance abuse.

The signs of prescription drug abuse vary according to the medication, the frequency of abuse, and the length of addiction.

Warning signs include:

• Increased Tolerance: The need for progressively higher doses of a prescription medication to achieve the same results.
• Withdrawal Symptoms: Cravings, insomnia, headaches, nausea, and feelings of restlessness and agitation.
• Increased Dosage or Frequency: Taking larger doses than prescribed, or taking them more frequently than advised.
• Doctor Shopping: Making multiple appointments with different physicians to obtain a controlled prescription drug.
• Mood Swings: Substance abuse can affect the brain’s reward center and cause major and sudden alterations in a person’s mood.
• Neglect of Responsibilities: Prolonged addiction can affect an individual’s judgment and ability to prioritize responsibilities.

Prescription drug abuse can also cause persistent negative thought patterns and impair decision-making abilities.

Prescription drug addiction treatment at Studio 64 Recovery involves a combination of expert medical care, extensive therapy, and a supportive environment.

• Comprehensive Treatment: Our structured treatment process starts with medically supervised detox to manage withdrawal symptoms, followed by personalized therapy to support long-term recovery.
• Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT): FDA-approved medications used in conjunction with counseling and behavioral therapies to help individuals manage cravings and withdrawal symptoms.
• Support and Aftercare: We provide therapy support groups and relapse prevention strategies to help individuals navigate life post-treatment and make prescription drug recovery less stressful.

Can prescription drug addiction occur even with a doctor’s prescription?

Yes. It can happen when an individual uses the medication in a way not intended by the prescriber. That usually takes the form of increasing the dosage or frequency of the medication.

What are common withdrawal symptoms of prescription drugs?

Prescription drug withdrawal symptoms include intense cravings, insomnia, headaches, nausea, and feelings of restlessness and agitation. Medication-assisted treatment for prescription drug addiction can help reverse these symptoms.

How long does prescription drug detox take?

Detox commonly takes anywhere between 3 to 10 days, but it can vary widely depending on the medication being abused, the frequency of abuse, and the length of addiction.