There are some certain illnesses you may experience that require you to use addictive drugs for treatment. If you misuse these drugs, you may need help on how to treat prescription drug abuse. That is because you may begin to depend on these drugs well after recovery. 

Most of the time, patients with mental problems or drug addiction suffer from prescription drug abuse. And as much as these drugs are effective for treating different conditions, the number of addicts is increasing. According to a 2014 study, many Canadian students in grades 7-12 use prescription drugs. And about 37% of these students believe it’s easy to get pain relief drugs in Canada. 

Usually, all drugs have a common purpose: to cure patients of a certain illness or condition. However, due to the drastic relief that comes with these prescription drugs, most people tend to abuse them. They start to use them out of recommended medication schedules.

If you or a loved one are currently experiencing this, the next logical step is to get expert treatment for prescription drug addiction. In this blog, we will discuss the acceptable treatment options for this kind of addiction. But first, what prescription drugs do people get addicted to?

What is Prescription Drug Abuse?

After completing your doctor prescribed medication, you shouldn’t feel like continuing those drugs. If you ever crave these drugs to feel happy or calm, you should see a doctor swiftly.  That’s because you may not notice you’re an addict until the case worsens. Therefore, it’s wise to see a professional who can provide ways to treat prescription drug addiction.

Essentially, when you use prescribed drugs for other purposes, you have abused the drug. And, as you may have guessed, abusing these medications comes with adverse effects. One major organ these drugs may attack overtime is your brain. Over time, you may come to notice some changes in your decision making and drug dependence habits. 

Remember, not every drug a doctor prescribes has addictive qualities. To that end, we will highlight some of the most commonly abused prescription drugs in Canada. 

Opioids

If you’re in the medical line, you may already know the category of drugs under opioids. If you don’t know, opioids are drugs doctors prescribe for patients experiencing severe physical pain. 

Some examples of opioids with addictive qualities are codeine and morphine. These drugs have specific purposes, as they help to reduce and suppress pain excellently. Of course, opioids work when you use them in the right dosage. However, most opioids come with a euphoric feeling which you may start to crave even after your regular dosage. 

Benzodiazepines

If you have anxiety, emotional, or mental problems, then you may need a benzodiazepine drug.  Likewise, doctors can prescribe benzodiazepines for some mild illnesses such as a sleep disorder. This set of prescription drugs have a direct effect on your brain and nervous system. As a result, the probability of addiction is high.

Some examples of benzodiazepines are valium and Xanax. Medical practitioners always prescribe this drug reluctantly because of its unique nature. When you use this drug, it activates a chemical known as GABA. This chemical induces reduced brain activity that helps you feel sleepy and calm. 

The calm and relaxed feeling of this drug is one you may want after your dosage. And when you use the medicine for an extended period, you may need higher doses. That means you need more quantity to maintain that mood, which is drug dependence.

If your prescription drug addiction is to benzodiazepines, you need professional treatment. The withdrawal symptoms that come with this drug can be severe. Hence, it’s better to undergo the process with the safe, experienced care that addiction treatment centres in Vancouver can offer. 

Stimulants

A stimulant is one of the primary prescription drug people abuse. That is because stimulants give you sudden body strength and keep the whole system active. 

Almost every part of your body system gets affected when you use stimulants. Examples of stimulants are Adderall and Concerta. If you notice slow reactions and drowsy habits, you may have this addiction. 

Prescription drug addiction comes differently for everyone. Some of the factors that affect how you abuse drugs are; 

• Genetics
• Peer groups
• Family.
• Depression
• Mental health

Related article: The Frightening Truth about Prescription Drug Abuse that Will Smash You

What are The Common Symptoms of Prescription Drug Addiction?

Before you consider how to treat prescription drug abuse, you must know the symptoms. With knowledge of these signs, you can quickly figure out how if you or a loved one has a need for prescription drug addiction treatment in Vancouver. 

Some symptoms you should look out for are: 

• Frequent changes in your mood between sad and happy. 
• Scattered sleep and food patterns. 
• Replacing doctors frequently so you can get new prescriptions. 
• Having depressive and suicidal thoughts.
• Slow understanding and loss of memory. 
• Sudden switch between aggressive and gentle behaviours. 

The Solution: How To Treat Prescription Drug Abuse

You may have become an addict unintentionally, but the effects of prescription drug abuse are deadly. Therefore, your best option is to focus on how to treat prescription drug abuse. 

However, trying to withdraw from prescription drug abuse without the help of an expert has its consequences. And in some cases, withdrawal can lead to severe medical conditions.

Of course, the side effects that come with withdrawal doesn’t mean you cannot overcome prescription drug addiction. It only means an expert needs to watch you closely. Here’s what you need to get rid of prescription drug addiction: 

Get Professional Help

The first step you should take is speaking with a professional. Firstly, professionals can confirm the exact type of prescription drug addiction you have. Likewise, they can help with tips you can use to get yourself back on track. Also, they can teach your family or support system how to help with your recovery.

Medication

You may be wondering how more medication can cure a prescription drug addict. Well, certain drugs can help suppress the addictive features of drugs. However, using these drugs requires supervision from a medical practitioner. 

Support groups

Joining a support or charity group during your addiction recovery can help excellently. Support groups give you the opportunity to express yourself clearly. There, you can meet people who understand your addiction treatment struggles and can provide effective tips. On the other hand, charity groups allow you to help people. These two acts will make you feel happy genuinely. 

Conclusion

Of course, you were not the one who decided that you needed the drug. But, an addiction to prescription drugs is deadly to your health. Therefore, you need to understand how to treat prescription drug abuse. This article highlights the best options you can employ to stop prescription drug addiction. 

Remember, the best way to fight any form of drug addiction is by seeking professional help. Call Inspire Change Addiction Rehab in Vancouver for addiction treatment programs. As such, we can design custom treatment plants to help you break free from that prescription drug. Book an appointment to speak with an addiction treatment expert in Vancouver today!