Prescription Drug Addiction

Prescription Drug Abuse

Just behind marijuana, prescription drugs are the second most commonly abused drug in the United States. According to the National Institutes of Health, around 20% of our population has used prescription drugs for non-medical purposes. Prescription drugs are more easily obtainable and cheaper than 'street drugs', making them an alarmingly popular choice amongst the younger population.

Many people have legitimate medical reasons for taking prescription drugs. But, with time, the line between treating medical symptoms and dependency often becomes blurred. For example, a person who takes Valium® to lessen anxiety may find that, over a period of time, the medication becomes less effective and their anxiety, in turn, actually increases.

There are three main classes of prescription drugs which typically lead to abuse:

• Opioids, such as Codeine, Oxycodone and Morphine – prescribed to treat pain.
• Central nervous system depressants, such as Benzodiazepines, Hypnotics and Barbiturates – used to treat anxiety and sleep disorders.
• Stimulants, such as Dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine® and Adderall®) and Methylphenidate (Ritalin® and Concerta®) – used to treat narcolepsy, ADHD and obesity.

Used appropriately and under medical supervision, these drugs can have beneficial effects but, when abused, they can be as damaging and dangerous as illegal 'street' drugs.

Entering rehab can be a frightening, foreign experience. At Sovereign Health, we have a wealth of experience in treating all forms of addiction and providing support and on–going care for our patients. Our treatment team meets the highest standard of qualification, and is constantly striving to help guide patients towards a successful recovery.

Prescription Drug Addiction is a problem that can disrupt your entire life. Here, we understand the seriousness of the problem and have created a program of services to help you end your pain. These services include pain assessment, pain management and management of continuing symptoms, such as anxiety.

Completing your prescription drug treatment is not difficult, but staying away from them afterwards may prove to be very difficult indeed. Many people who need prescription drug detox feel that, since they receive their drugs through a doctor, they don't have the same type of problems as a person who abuses alcohol or illegal 'street drugs'. Abusers of prescription drugs are also skilled in convincing physicians that they have genuine medical problems and therefore need the drugs.

Signs of Prescription Drug Addiction

The signs of needing prescription drug treatment include, but are not limited to, being in possession of prescription bottles from more than one doctor or from numerous pharmacies, seeking prescriptions from other doctors after their primary physician has refused, pills in plastic bags and mixing medications with other prescription medications or alcohol to increase the effect.

Some of the most commonly prescribed drugs in the United States are pain killers and anti-anxiety medications. These are among the most widely abused prescription drugs. Detox from pain medications is done using alternative medications, and is not considered life threatening. Detox from anxiety medications, however, can be life threatening, especially when these medications have been used with alcohol.

It is for these reasons that it is important to medically monitor our detox patients, in addition to providing the appropriate treatment.

Our Treatment Program

At Sovereign Health of California, we provide cutting edge treatment for all forms of addiction. We offer 30, 60 and 90 day treatment programs, each completely confidential and specifically tailored to suit the needs of the individual. Along with access to a local gym, we provide a range of clinical treatments combined with a variety of holistic therapies.

More specifically, our treatment program involves an initial evaluation by our highly experienced team, which will uncover any underlying issues that may be contributing to an addiction. Our primary goal is to ensure our clients receive the support that is so important for a successful, long-term recovery, and subsequent reintegration into society.

Our aftercare program offers our clients continued support as they leave treatment and move towards a successful recovery and subsequent reintegration into society.

For a list of some of the treatments we offer, please visit our 'what we offer' page. Alternatively, call us now. We have advisors available 24/7 who are ready to answer any questions you may have regarding our services.