It’s a well-known fact that the nation is facing a severe problem with prescription drug addiction. In 2018, more than 16 million US citizens over 12 reported abusing prescription pills, with almost 10 million of these individuals abusing opioids alone.
Additionally, 52 million of those taking prescription drugs have purposefully misused them at least once throughout their lifetime, and within the past 30 days, almost 50% of Americans have used some form of prescribed medication.
Considering that over 50 million Americans live with chronic pain or pain that lasts every day for over 3 months, it’s no surprise that doctors are prescribing more prescription drugs. Unfortunately, this is how prescription drug addiction starts, causing many Americans to seek prescription drug addiction treatment.
What is Prescription Drug Addiction?
Being addicted to prescription drugs means a person has developed a dependency and compulsive need for prescription medications. They will often use them in ways not intended by a medical professional or in higher doses than prescribed.
Some of the signs and critical characterizations of prescription drug addiction include
The signs and symptoms of prescription drug addiction vary depending on the type of drug, the frequency of use, and the amount used. Still, one can identify general signs and side effects. These symptoms fall under 1 of 2 categories: behavioral or psychological.
Signs of Prescription Drug Addiction
Behavioral symptoms that indicate prescription drug addiction include the following:
- Seeking prescriptions from multiple doctors (also known as doctor shopping)
- Falsely reporting your prescription as stolen or claiming to have lost track of your medication(s)
- Justifying drug misuse when confronted
- Crushing pills to snort or use intravenously instead of taking the medication by mouth
- Denying or deflecting during drug misuse allegations
- Being uncharacteristically irresponsible or unreliable
Psychological symptoms include:
- Changes in sleeping and eating habits
- Strained interpersonal relationships
- Severe cravings
- Headaches
- Sudden or extreme changes in mood
- Focusing your energy on getting and taking drugs
- Poor concentration and impaired judgment
- Lack of energy
- Increased irritability, anger, and agitation
The signs can occur with any type of prescription drugs including opioids, sedatives, stimulants, and other medications.
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Brentwood Springs Detox is a leading drug and alcohol addiction treatment services. If you or a loved one are in need of professional care to address a substance use disorder, reach out to us right now at (615) 208-6264 to speak with us.
Addictive Prescription Drugs
Factors contributing to the popularity of prescription drug abuse include accessibility and misinformation about the potency of these substances. The most common types of addictive prescription drugs overused include:
Opioids
Opioids help treat intense or chronic pain. This pain can occur after the result of injury or after surgery. Though opioids are effective for treating pain, they pose an addiction risk. As an individual continues to take them, their tolerance increases. Eventually, this creates a dependence that leads to addiction. Common opioids include:
- Morphine
- Hydrocodone
- Oxycodone
- Fentanyl
- Codeine
Codeine and oxycodone addiction are two of the most commonly prescribed medications prescribed for Americans with temporary or chronic pain conditions. Hence, codeine addiction and oxycodone addiction are prevalent.
CNS Stimulants
CNS stimulants are prescribed to those with ADHD or ADD and can be very addictive when abused. Unfortunately, people who have no actual need for them misuse them. They are popular with individuals who feel overly pressured to succeed, such as college students.
Common prescription stimulants include:
- Adderall (amphetamine/dextroamphetamine)
- Dexedrine (dextroamphetamine)
- Ritalin/Concerta (methylphenidate)
- Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine)
CNS Depressants
CNS Depressants are for those with anxiety and panic disorders or insomnia. They have a calming effect that helps with these disorders but can also become addictive. People without these disorders may also abuse them for their numbing effect. Benzodiazepines are highly addictive and include the following drugs.
- Xanax (alprazolam)
- Klonopin (diazepam)
- Valium (clonazepam)
- Ativan (lorazepam)
Barbiturates and sedatives are other types of CNS depressants. Additionally, they can help relieve anxiety disorders or those with sleep disorders. These include:
- Nembutal (pentobarbital sodium)
- Mebaral (mephobarbital)
- Ambien (zolpidem)
- Lunesta (eszopiclone)
Prescription Drug Addiction Symptoms
The signs and symptoms of prescription drug addiction depend on the type of drug, the frequency of use, and the amount used. Still, one can identify general signs and side effects. These symptoms fall under 1 of 2 categories: behavioral or psychological.
Behavioral symptoms that indicate prescription drug addiction include the following:
- Seeking prescriptions from multiple doctors (also known as “doctor shopping)
- Falsely reporting your prescription as stolen or claiming to have lost track of your medication(s)
- Justifying drug misuse when confronted
- Crushing pills to snort or use intravenously instead of taking the medication by mouth
- Denying or deflecting during drug misuse allegations
- Being uncharacteristically irresponsible or unreliable
What is Prescription Drug Detox?
Those with an addiction to prescription drugs typically require detox before they enter a treatment program. Proper detox from prescription drugs prepares the body for sobriety by safely ridding drugs and alcohol from your system so you can start treatment with a clean slate.
Prescription drugs come with their own unique set of these symptoms, making detox vital at a licensed facility. Luckily, these facilities ensure this process is effective and safe and accept Aetna insurance so you can continue your recovery journey on the right track.
Prescription drugs leave behind harmful toxins in your body, making it crucial that you detox before starting your treatment program. This process is theoretically simple but can become dangerous if not properly monitored. Withdrawal symptoms can cause severe reactions such as trouble breathing, hallucinations, seizures, and death.
The length of the detox process and how severe withdrawal symptoms depend on the type of prescription drug misused. Other factors affecting the detox process include how often you use it, for how long, and any underlying mental health or physical illness.
Prescription Drug Withdrawal Symptoms
Prescription drug withdrawal symptoms vary depending on the specific type of drug involved. The severity of these effects depends on how long you have been and how much. Withdrawal symptoms that are common to users of opioids, CNS depressants (including benzodiazepines), and stimulants include:
- Intense cravings
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Changes in sleep patterns
- Exhaustion/fatigue
- Confusion and difficulty concentrating
- Increased agitation
- Uncontrollable movements and tremors
- Increased heart rate and blood pressure
- Intervals of excessive perspiration and chills
- Upset stomach
- Hallucinations/altered perception
- Aching bones and muscles
- Fever
- In severe cases, seizures, coma, or death
Psychological symptoms include:
- Changes in sleeping and eating habits
- Strained interpersonal relationships
- Severe cravings
- Headaches
- Sudden and/or extreme changes in mood
- Focusing your energy on getting and taking drugs
- Poor concentration and impaired judgment
- Lack of energy
- Increased irritability, anger, and agitation
How Long Does Prescription Drug Detox in Nashville Last?
The exact amount of time detox takes depends on the person, the type of drug they are using, and the severity of their addiction. Generally, withdrawal symptoms surface during the first 12 to 24 hours after an individual’s last dose and peak within 72 hours. This process typically lasts 7 to 14 days; however, some symptoms might persist longer.
The following outline highlights the typical stages of the prescription drug withdrawal timeline:
- Anticipatory. Mild symptoms and cravings characterize this preliminary detox stage. Anxiety and fear are common during this time.
- Early Acute. This stage marks the start of physical side effects. Depending on the previously used substance, symptoms can range from vomiting, nausea, and sweating to insomnia and tremors.
- Fully-Developed Acute. The third stage of the withdrawal timeline is associated with the peaking of symptoms. Side effects are the most challenging, and cravings are the most severe in this stage. Dangerous symptoms such as hallucinations and delusions are most likely to occur at this time such as hallucinations and delusions.
- Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome (PAWS). Specific withdrawal symptoms such as cravings, depression, and trouble sleeping can persist for weeks to months following the initial detox process. Individuals are highly susceptible to environmental triggers during this time, which can increase their risk of relapse. Going through a prescription drug detox in Nashville helps prevent PAWS.
MAT for Prescription Drug Withdrawal
Certain medications can ease withdrawal symptoms and make the prescription drug detoxification process in Nashville more manageable during medication-assisted treatment (MAT). The medications commonly used in prescription drug detox programs in Nashville, Tennessee, to prevent dangerous and possibly lethal reactions during the withdrawal period typically include
Methadone
This opioid-like substance helps ease withdrawal symptoms and reduce cravings. It does this by mimicking the effects that opioids have on the brain but without the high experience with opioids.
Buprenorphine
This medication acts similarly to methadone but is not as strong. It prevents long-term relapse.
Clonidine
Clonidine makes common symptoms of withdrawal more manageable. However, it does not reduce cravings.
Our drug detox facility in Nashville, Tennessee helps individuals begin the process of helping the body adjust to a prescription drug-free state while under the supervision of a qualified care team. Our team will be with you every step of the process in order to keep you as comfortable as possible. We will check your vital signs to ensure that you are always physically stable.
If a complication should occur, for example, we are there 24/7 to offer support and assistance. We will evaluate you and encourage you to continue with a treatment plan following the completion of inpatient detox.
It is important that you do not resort to detoxing at home as it could have serious consequences for your health. Instead, you need to be in a monitored and stable environment to ensure your heart and respiratory rates are normal. Additionally, detoxing outside of a licensed facility makes it more likely that you will be unable to cope with withdrawal symptoms, and end up relapsing despite your best efforts.
Begin Prescription Drug Detox in Nashville, TN
Beating your addiction to prescription drugs starts with getting clean. Recovery is within your reach when you seek prescription drug detox in Nashville.
We at Brentwood Springs Detox in Nashville, Tennessee, want to make your detox process from prescription drugs as easy as possible by providing you with comfort and stability. Start your journey towards a happier and healthier life today by visiting our admissions page.
