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As more and more individuals across the UK suffer from mental health issues, chronic pain disorders and behavioural illnesses, the use of addictive prescription medication is also rising. For many individuals, prescription medication is used as their coping mechanism. Opioid painkillers, antidepressants and sleeping tablets are their lifelines.
Yet, through this rise, where on average 1 in 4 people require medication, the degree of drug abuse and dependencies are climbing. This is highly concerning, known to cumulate into further mental health issues, fuelling one another.
With this as a reality for a staggering average of the UK population, great pressure is placed on the NHS and further rehab centres to help those misusing prescription medications. Although pressure may be reducing available resources, it is important that if drug abuse or addiction are experienced, addiction treatment is sourced, before greater disorders develop. From local outpatient treatment to residential rehab, based abroad, high-quality care is available if you’re keen to recover.
The rise of addictive prescription medication
Unfortunately, nearly 12 million people across the UK are taking addictive prescription medication. For some, this is simply a treatment option to manage chronic pain, depression, anxiety or insomnia. Yet, for others, these highly addictive prescription drugs are influencing those exact effects, addictions.
Over the last few years, mental health issues have increased significantly. In today’s world, it is likely that someone you know will currently be taking some form of prescription drug to manage side effects. In fact, over the last year, a prescription medication for depression has risen the most when considering commonly addictive prescription drugs. For some individuals, this can be a year on year treatment option. Yet, by consuming addictive drugs over a long period of time, a vicious circle of damage can develop.
Imagine, you’ve been prescribed medication to manage your anxiety. Whether you’re misusing this prescription medication, or have been consuming it for some time, your body will build up a tolerance. You’ll then continue consumption as the drug is controlling your mental health issues. In this instance, greater doses, abusing the recommended guidelines will be experienced. Here’s exactly where a prescription drug addiction can show itself. Yet, not only that, your anxiety will also escalate, requiring greater medication. This is an unfortunate and challenging situation to live through, which many individuals are currently leading in the UK.
The prolonged use of prescription medication
Prescription medication to some may be seen as a short-term treatment method to tackle physical pain. For others, antidepressants may be viewed as a short lifeline to overcome a distressing episode. Yet, for others, prescription medication can be seen as a long-term crutch.
Research within the UK population has found how the use of prescription medication is now prolonged. Individuals are continuing to abuse medication to fuel the addictive tendencies they are experiencing. This is concerning, as many drugs are recommended for short-term use, down to their highly addictive nature and damaging effects.
With this in mind, it is clear to see that the access that the UK population have to medication is fuelling further disorders, resulting in further prescriptions. Research estimates how on average, 620,000 people have taken opioids and tranquilizers for at least 3 years straight.
The risk of withdrawal and dependency
Although prescription medications are perceived as less hazardous when comparing with further addictive drugs, they are also highly addictive. If abused, where dosage guidelines are broken, individuals can become dependent on the effects they experience. It’s important to note that dosage guidelines are set for a purpose, to protect the health of users, while reducing their addictive tendencies.
Prescription medication addictions are now highly likely. With more individuals suffering through life-limiting disorders or mental health issues, the highs and calming effects many drugs have, are favoured by users. In this instance, it is understandable to gauge addiction likelihoods. In the moment, quality of life may be perceived as greater.
Once prescribed medication is taken consistently, withdrawal symptoms will become more prominent. Withdrawal from highly addictive medication can be unbearable, causing similar effects to alcohol or class A drug withdrawal. With this in mind, the long-term abuse of prescription stimulants, tranquillisers or opioid drugs can lead to addiction. Here is where long-term quality of life can take a knock, resulting in a physical and psychological addiction.
If you’re becoming dependent on addictive prescription medication, we urge you to source specialist drug addiction treatment.
Treating a prescription medication addiction
Here at Rehab Clinics Group, we’ve witnessed the rise of prescription medication and their addictive tendencies. We’ve seen many individuals enter one of our rehab clinics, suffering with a dual diagnosis – a addiction to prescription medication, and a connected mental health issue, usually influencing the initial drug abuse.
Although this is a very serious situation to be placed in, recovery can be achieved, like any further addiction. Through drug addiction treatment, a reliance on addictive prescription medication can be reduced. Through a range of treatment options, the physical and psychological dependency on medication can be overcome, along with working through the initial trigger; a mental health or chronic pain disorder.
Common treatment options to treat an addiction to prescription medication resemble those which hard drug users would complete. From a drug detox, helping to reduce doses of prescription medication, to therapy sessions and cognitive behavioural therapy, there are recovery designed treatments available.
If you’re suffering with a dependency on prescription medication, here at Rehab Clinics Group, we can offer inpatient addiction treatment, across our range of rehab facilities. Get in touch today to understand the severity of your consumption, along with overcoming your addiction. We can also help you work through the initial underlying issue, motivating the prescription of medication.
Although prescriptions seem a necessity or harmless, it is important to remember that an addictive drug is used to combat your underlying pain disorder or mental health issue. With this in mind, damage can be experienced, causing a vicious circle. Consider your health by completing addiction treatment.
