Prescription drugs are used for so many ailments, illnesses, and injuries. You might need to pick up prescription medication when you are sick, going through a mental illness, or to manage pain from an accident. While prescription drugs are important for so many reasons, some of them are habit-forming and addictive.
If you start taking more than the recommended dose of a prescription medicine, you are engaging in prescription drug abuse. Once you start using the medication to experience a high, you are at risk of developing an addiction to prescription drugs. Examples of addictive prescription medications include opioids, benzodiazepines, sedatives, and stimulants.
According to the National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics (NCDAS), 16 million people aged 12 or older abuse prescription drugs.[1]
If you or a loved one suffers from prescription drug addiction, you must attend a substance abuse treatment center. During prescription drug rehab in Florida, you can expect to participate in an in-depth assessment, medical detox, individual therapy, group counseling, relapse prevention planning, and aftercare services.
In this article, you will learn:
- What is prescription drug addiction
- Why professional treatment is necessary for substance use disorders
- What to expect during prescription drug rehab in Florida
What is Prescription Drug Addiction?
Prescription drug misuse starts with taking higher doses than you are prescribed. Once you realize doing this gets you high, you might engage in repetitive substance abuse. Over time, this leads to physical dependence and addiction.
There are a variety of types of prescription drugs that can lead to addiction, including benzodiazepines, opioids, sedatives, and stimulants. It is most common for people to get addicted to opioids, as they are commonly prescribed to manage all types of pain.
The statistics on prescription drug abuse by type include:[1]
- Opioids – 9.3 million each year
- Sedatives – 5.9 million each year
- Stimulants – 4.9 million each year
- Benzodiazepines – 4.8 million each year
If you are struggling with prescription drug addiction, you should consider attending a drug rehab center. These programs will provide you with all of the tools and support you need to achieve long-term sobriety. While overcoming addiction can be hard, addiction treatment programs make recovery much more comfortable and attainable.
What to Expect During Prescription Drug Rehab in Florida
The goal of prescription drug rehab is to help you overcome the physical, psychological, and behavioral issues that come along with addiction. You will receive medical supervision during detox, receive an individualized treatment plan, and engage in services like individual therapy, group counseling, and support groups.
During prescription drug rehab in Florida, you can expect:
In-Depth Assessment
The first step in an addiction treatment center is an assessment. The admissions counselors and medical professionals will ask you questions about your physical and mental health as well as your history of prescription drug abuse.
The information gathered will be used to create an individualized treatment plan based on your needs. As a result, all of the services you engage in will be relevant to your recovery.
Medical Detox
Once your treatment plan is created, you will begin medical detox. Detox is intended to help you overcome withdrawal symptoms and cravings safely and comfortably. You will be given FDA-approved medications to lessen withdrawal symptoms, making the physical aspect of addiction recovery easier to cope with.
The exact type of treatment used during medical detox depends on which type of prescription drug you were addicted to. For example, Suboxone and methadone are used to treat prescription opioid withdrawal, while long-acting benzodiazepines can manage the symptoms of benzodiazepine withdrawal.
Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)
If you suffer from opioid addiction, your doctor might recommend medication-assisted treatment (MAT). MAT involves the use of FDA-approved medications to prevent you from experiencing cravings that could lead to relapse. It is always used in combination with other forms of addiction treatment like individual therapy and group counseling.
Evidence-Based Therapies
Whether you suffer from a co-occurring mental health disorder or not, evidence-based therapies are a huge part of the addiction recovery process. Therapy can help you recover from the root causes of your addiction, learn how to manage your emotions healthily, and offer you coping mechanisms to combat triggers you might face in your daily life.
Examples of evidence-based therapies used during prescription drug rehab in Florida include:[2]
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Motivational interviewing (MI)
- Contingency management (CM)
- The matrix model
- 12-step facilitation therapy
- Family behavioral therapy
Relapse Prevention and Aftercare
Before you complete prescription drug rehab, you will learn relapse prevention skills to help you stay sober long-term. This often involves identifying potential triggers for relapse and learning healthy coping mechanisms to keep you sober.
An important aspect of relapse prevention is aftercare, which are services offered after you leave the rehab program that keeps you connected to a recovery community. These services include:
- Continued therapy
- Continued medication management
- Access to an alumni support group
- Referrals to outpatient or sober living programs
- Recommendations on local support groups like 12-step meetings
- Case management services like vocational training or legal assistance
Get Connected to Prescription Drug Addiction Treatment Near You
If you or a loved one suffers from prescription drug addiction, it’s time to seek professional help. At Palm City Wellness, we offer a top-rated prescription drug rehab center that can provide you with the care you need to achieve long-term recovery.
Contact us today for more information on our prescription drug addiction treatment center in Florida.
References:
- The National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics (NCDAS): Prescription Drug Abuse Statistics
- Science Direct: Evidence-based practices for substance use disorders