Prescription medications are amazing medical accomplishments that can help you cope with certain illnesses and achieve a functional lifestyle. However, some prescription medications come with a risk. For example, if you are taking benzodiazepines for anxiety and begin taking more than was prescribed to you, you could develop an addiction.
According to the National Institute of Drug Abuse, “5.1% (or about 14.3 million people) reported misusing any prescription psychotherapeutic drug in the past 12 months.”[1]
When you become addicted to prescription medication, your body begins to rely on the substance to function properly. If you stop taking it, you may experience symptoms of withdrawal. Withdrawal symptoms can vary from mild to severe and even life-threatening, so it’s always best to get them treated by a prescription drug detox center in West Palm Beach, Florida.
Commonly Abused Prescription Drugs
While there are medications that do not pose a risk of addiction, others have a high risk of dependency and misuse. For example, if you are taking a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) for depression, you do not have to worry about becoming addicted to it. However, other types of medication are known to be habit-forming.
The most commonly abused prescription drugs include:[2]
- Stimulant medications like Adderall or Ritalin
- Benzodiazepines like Xanax or Klonopin
- Prescription opioid pain relievers like hydrocodone or oxycodone
- Sleep medications like Ambien or Lunesta
- Barbiturates like amytal or phenobarbital
If you are prescribed one of these medications, you must only take the intended dose. Taking more of a prescription drug than you are prescribed increases your risk for dependence and addiction.
Once you become addicted to a prescription drug, you must seek professional treatment. Unfortunately, many people believe the misconception that it is safe to abuse substances as long as they are prescribed by a doctor. This is false, as you can still take too much and experience a life-threatening overdose or long-term health issues.
Why is Prescription Drug Detox Necessary?
When you become addicted to any type of drug, your body grows accustomed to the presence of the substance. If that drug is removed from your system, you will experience symptoms of withdrawal. Certain types of prescription drugs can cause severe withdrawal symptoms that are difficult to cope with and life-threatening without proper medical attention.
For example, if you are addicted to a benzodiazepine such as Xanax or Valium, you could experience seizures during the withdrawal phase of recovery. However, prescription drug detox centers in West Palm Beach can prescribe medications that prevent severe symptoms of withdrawal.
It is important to note that every prescription drug has its own set of possible withdrawal symptoms. Additionally, everyone will experience withdrawal differently, even if they were taking the same type of substance. As a result, it’s important to have a medical professional assess your situation to determine what type of treatment you will require.
What to Expect During Prescription Drug Detox in West Palm Beach
If you or a loved one are addicted to prescription drugs like opioids, benzodiazepines, or stimulants, it’s time to consider attending a prescription drug detox program in West Palm Beach. Florida detox centers can provide you with the treatments, support, and tools necessary to overcome the withdrawal phase of recovery with ease.
Assessment
As soon as you arrive at a detox facility, you will undergo an initial in-depth assessment. These assessments gather pertinent information about your medical, substance abuse, mental health, and family history. All of this information is then used to create an individualized treatment plan that is tailored to your specific needs.
Medical Stabilization
After your assessment, you will begin prescription drug detox treatment. Typically, this involves the use of medications to lessen your symptoms and prevent you from experiencing dangerous side effects. Certain types of drugs like opioids will require replacement therapy with Suboxone or methadone, while other substances like stimulants are treated with symptom-specific medications or a tapering approach.
If you are tapering off of a substance, that means you are being given smaller and smaller doses of the type of drug you are addicted to until your body no longer needs it. Tapering is usually used for benzodiazepines to avoid rebound anxiety, seizures, and other withdrawal symptoms.
Symptom-specific medications directly target the symptoms you are experiencing, for example, anti-nausea pills can alleviate gastrointestinal distress, psychiatric medications can target symptoms of anxiety or depression, and sleep aids can reduce insomnia or sleep disturbances.
Additionally, while you are taking these medications you will be monitored on a 24/7 basis to ensure that you are comfortable and in good health.
Referrals
Once you have overcome the withdrawal phase of recovery, you will work with your medical team to decide your next steps.
After detox, most people transition into an inpatient or outpatient prescription drug addiction treatment program depending on their specific needs. Some prescription drug detox centers include a continuum of care, which means you can stay at the facility and transition into an additional rehab program instead of transferring somewhere else.
Prescription Drug Detox in West Palm Beach, Florida
If you or a loved one suffer from a prescription drug addiction, Mandala Healing Center is here to help. Whether you were abusing opioids, stimulants, benzodiazepines, barbiturates, or sleep medications, we can help you regain control over your life.
At the Mandala Healing Center, we are sensitive to the fact that every person we treat comes from a different background and has a unique set of needs. Our wide array of addiction treatment offerings allows us to cater to each patient’s strengths, and find the programs and activities that work best on an individual level. Each patient has a primary therapist who develops and manages their personalized detox plan, as well as maintains communication with the families and referents.
For more information about our prescription drug detox program in West Palm Beach, contact Mandala Healing Center today.
References:
- The National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA): What is the Scope of Prescription Drug Misuse, Retrieved June 2023 From https://nida.nih.gov/publications/research-reports/misuse-prescription-drugs/what-scope-prescription-drug-misuse
- The National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA): Commonly Abused Prescription Drugs, Retrieved June 2023 From https://nida.nih.gov/sites/default/files/rx_drugs_placemat_508c_10052011.pdf