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Prescription drug addiction has become an epidemic in the US and has similarly negative effects in the UK. Prescription drugs such as codeine and hydrocodone which are widely prescribed to treat pain can be extremely addictive if consumed for a longer period than advised or in larger doses.
At Rehab Clinics Group we offer prescription drug rehab and detox to help you recover from prescription drug addiction. Addiction to opioids or stimulants can cause detrimental effects on your life, so it is important that you seek treatment from a private rehab centre which can offer you the best treatment available.
The idea that prescription drug addiction is a possible eventuality is an inconceivable prospect to some individuals.
This is usually down to the fact that such drugs are prescribed by medical professionals, for genuine health problems, thus seen as credible and safe.
However, we must remember that prescription drugs are just as impactful as other substances, can carry significant supportive benefits for health purposes, and are therefore strong enough to latch onto addictive vulnerabilities.
Not only that, but many prescription drugs, such as opioids do present addictive traits, on par with further illicit drugs.
From the outside, those who abuse prescription drugs are seen as self-destructive, out of control and weak. However, the causes of prescription drug addiction are usually linked to stress, mental health issues, trauma or environmental issues, making it an involuntary illness.
Ongoing prescription drug abuse can be dangerous, resulting in common symptoms of addiction, resulting in even greater health weaknesses, and resulting inconsequential outcomes of addiction.
While some drugs are more addictive than others, and while some are misused greater than others down to their effects, it’s wise to keep in mind that consumption above dosage guidelines or mere voluntary abuse can be hazardous.
If you’re misusing antidepressants, pain medications or even sleeping tablets, it’s important that you consider the long-term impacts of your consumption, and how to also unravel an addiction.
Source prescription drug addiction treatment here at Rehab Clinics Group for relief, respite and recovery opportunities.
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Are you suffering from Prescription Drug Addiction and need help? If so, Rehab Clinics Group are a leading UK based experts in prescription drug rehabilitation treatment. Find out how we can help by getting in touch with our friendly team today. You can either call our confidential helpline on 0800 470 0382 or request a callback by clicking on the below form.
The Addictive Traits Of Prescription Drugs
While on the surface, down to their prescription, medications are seen to enhance and prolong health and wellbeing, rather than hinder them.
This is understandable, as prescription drugs are provided to help with mental health issues, to offer pain relief and to manage ongoing health issues.
However, it is important to remember that attached to a prescription is a personal dosage guideline, to experience the desired effect of the drug.
By bypassing such guidelines, prescription drugs can in fact be addictive, as they, like illicit drugs, carry adoptable and sought-after traits.
Some of those traits can genuinely be experienced. For example, someone with mental health issues may consume antidepressants to control their symptoms.
However, once a tolerance develops, they may abuse dosage guidelines to experience greater effect, instead of asking for further medical advice. This is how a prescription drug addiction can materialise.
For others, addictive traits are longed for, where prescription drugs will be abused without medical endorsements. As prescriptions, such as opioids can offer the effects of illegal drugs, many users will adopt such connections instead.
We must also remember that some individuals will live with pre-existing vulnerabilities of brain conditions, including addiction, which can heighten the addictiveness of any substance.
Opiates, antidepressants and sleeping tablets should all be consumed sensibly, as excessive exposure can trigger the development of an addiction, all down to how the body and brain will accommodate consumption.
The Damages Of Prescription Drug Addiction
Again, with their harmless image, damages surrounding prescription drug abuse are usually perceived as low.
Yet, similarly to other drugs, excessive exposure to prescription drugs can amount to physical and psychological problems, in tandem with the general consequences of an addiction diagnosis.
Physically, prescription drug abuse can cause imbalance, can result in the development of secondary health conditions, and can also impact the functionality of internal systems.
Psychologically, those who live with a prescription drug use disorder (PDUD) are found to experience mental health implications, memory loss, dual diagnosis, heightened levels of anxiety and panic, and overall instability.
When looking at the consequential damages of such habit, prescription drug addiction can amount to anything from money worries to damaged careers, to a lack of responsibility, to legal implications and broken relationships.
While credibility is attached to prescription drugs, the impacts can be just as controlling, as life-threatening and as deterring towards a quality life.
Highly Abused Prescription Drugs
Prescription medications that are most consumed include antidepressants, benzodiazepines and opioid pain medications. All are also some of the most highly abused prescription drugs, down to their effects.
While every individual who’s prescribed and consumes such drugs will not develop a prescription drug dependency, such drugs, paired with underlying vulnerabilities can increase their effect.
It’s essential to remember that in most cases, the presence of drugs, alone will not motivate a chronic addiction.
Emotional instability and trauma, usually combined with the beneficial assets of prescription drugs will usually motivate consumption which reflects an addiction.
Once enabled, with the need to mask physical and psychological cravings, this is where the addiction cycle materialises.
With this in mind, the above is the most addictive as they are consumed the most and are used to already curb some degree of vulnerability, posing a risk of addiction development.
Signs Of Prescription Drug Use Disorder (PDUD)
Physical signs of prescription drug use disorder are usually harder to spot, as each drug will carry different effects. Yet commonly, if a change in health, or if physical side effects are visible, such as drowsiness, rapid eye movement or irritability, paired with the misuse of substances, this can be a sign of increased dosage.
Psychological signs are commonly the most noticeable, with regards to a user’s mood, their energy levels, their memory and judgment, their anxiety levels and their ability to sleep.
However, like many drug addictions, signs can usually be identified through a change in behaviour. If you’re visiting the doctors more often, if you’re running out of your prescription early, if you’re looking for alternative medications, and if your involvement, inclination to be responsible or existing passions begin to suppress, all are indications of addiction development.
Prescription Drug Addiction Treatment
To work through prescription drug addiction, treatment via rehab will be essential. Detoxing, therapy, psychotherapy and relapse prevention will all be recommended to disconnect from such drugs.
Your causation of consumption will motivate treatment recommendations here at Rehab Clinics Group, where you’ll complete a suitable mix of treatment.
Yet, the standard is that you will need to withdraw physically, recover psychologically, restore entirely, and prepare for future recovery.
Through cognitive behavioural therapy, dialectical behavioural therapy, aftercare, relapse prevention and wellbeing management, we can help you withdraw from and deter the presence of prescription drugs.
If you of course have genuine health problems, finding alternatives will be important to support you, while also promoting prescription drug addiction recovery.
Prescription drugs should be used wisely. The misuse or abuse of prescription drugs can turn toxic and damaging, leading towards an addiction. Avoid this by sourcing medical support to curb your symptoms and habits.