According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), close to the majority of Americans used prescription medication from 2015-2016 to treat health conditions. This number increases to 86% for Americans that are 60 and older.

Alarmingly, a large percentage of adults and even minors use and abuse these prescription drugs unrelated to health conditions. Unfortunately, this type of drug use almost always leads to a dangerous addiction, leaving people in need of professional substance abuse treatment.

One of the common statements made by people undergoing prescription drug addiction treatment is that they did not recognize the moment in time when it shifted from recreational drug abuse to full-blown drug addiction. This is one of the hardest realities of prescription drug addiction. After all, once you have crossed the line and develop a physical addiction, it harms the body. Your body now requires the drug in order to function “normally”.

Continual substance abuse causes many individuals to continue in their addiction rather than quit substance use. This is because it can be so painful and even deadly to achieve on one’s own.

For individuals with health issues, prescription drugs can provide a healthier and even happier life. However, many individuals engage in substance abuse for reasons that have nothing to do with their medical condition. These individuals take prescription medications recreationally. Sadly, this is a very common practice for many across the United States and sadly, even the entire world.

Most individuals who abuse or are addicted to prescription medications tend to think that their substance misuse has no real negative impact on their lives or those that love or care for them. However, if the person doesn’t get treatment for addiction, it can lead to various issues.

Serious personal and financial problems, further drug addictions (when they lose access to or can not locate their drug of choice), and even death could result from an addiction. Since many prescription medications are physically addictive, people often require a medical detox in addition to other addiction treatments and therapies.

Prescription drug abuse or addiction is a medical condition that has many obstacles while seeking drug addiction treatment. This is largely due to the fact that it requires a substantial amount of work from the addict to overcome their addiction.

Recovery from drug abuse takes a lot of perseverance and dedication from the individual in order to fully recuperate from the illness of addiction. To further assist in the addiction treatment process, it is important to find the right treatment center. The facility should provide a complete process of prescription drug addiction treatment for recovery.

There are typically three different levels of patient care in an addiction treatment program: medical detox, addiction therapy, and aftercare. These are the standard options of a comprehensive prescription drug addiction treatment program.

Step One: Detox

The first part of our prescription drug addiction treatment method is called detoxification (detox). This initial step of drug addiction treatment is vital. That’s because it allows the individual to withdraw from substance use without life-threatening concerns. It also keeps people comfortable and in the proper mental state to continue with proper addiction treatment.
Our detox program at North Jersey Recovery Center will provide our clients with medically assisted treatment to help them get through this first phase of addiction treatment. Withdrawal symptoms will vary based on the kind of prescription drug a person was using. However, most prescription drug abusers and/or addicts experience similar symptoms.

The most common withdrawal symptoms from prescription drug addiction include but are not limited to:

• Muscle aches and pains
• Nausea and/or vomiting
• Headaches and/or migraines
• Sleep disturbances and/or insomnia
• Depression
• Diarrhea
• Anxiety

Step Two: Inpatient Rehab vs. Outpatient Rehab

One of the first steps you can take before entering a prescription drug addiction treatment program is to get a mental health assessment. North Jersey Recovery Center has trained medical professionals who can help you navigate what is the best treatment facility for YOU. The decision of enrolling in an inpatient or an outpatient drug rehab program is critical.

Some of the aspects of your prescription drug addiction treatment assessment may include but are not limited to:

• Relapse History (if any)
• Physical and mental reliance on prescription drugs
• Willingness to change (behavior modification)
• Homelife and/or healthy/positive living situation
• Co-occurring mental health conditions

Inpatient prescription drug addiction treatment is generally where most individuals will go when they are entering into an addiction treatment program. However, some individuals choose to participate in an outpatient addiction treatment program.

Some choose this route because they fear the commitment that is required with the inpatient level of care. But others may do so because inpatient treatment is often more costly than outpatient rehab. In other cases, people may opt for outpatient treatment because they have personal responsibilities that prevent them from attending an around-the-clock substance abuse treatment.

But, it’s important to note that inpatient prescription medication addiction treatment is the best place for people who are starting their program. This is due to the fact that residential treatment removes people from every day “triggers”.

Some people who might benefit from attending an outpatient prescription medication addiction treatment program typically have a less severe addiction or have a strong external support system. This level of prescription drug addiction treatment and care is for those who have a very strong desire to modify their destructive behavior and do not have a long history of prescription drug abuse and/or relapse. Most commonly, outpatient prescription drug addiction treatment programs are for individuals who are transitioning from inpatient to outpatient treatment.

Step Three: Aftercare

The recovery process from prescription drug abuse does not end once the individual finishes an inpatient and/or outpatient program. Prescription drug addiction aftercare should be recognized as a vital step in ongoing addiction treatment since the desired result is always lasting sobriety and lasting and improved mental health.

Behavioral therapies are generally an ongoing treatment approach for anyone that previously dealt with addiction issues. People struggling with prescription substance abuse should develop a strong treatment plan to manage cravings once leaving a rehab program. Therapy can provide important emotional support for anyone overcoming substance use disorders.

The kinds of aftercare for prescription drug addiction treatment options include:

• Outpatient Substance Abuse Treatment – The individual remains in their home while continuing prescription drug addiction therapy numerous times per week set by a confirmed treatment schedule.
• Group Therapy – The individual will work in small groups and be taught to listen and communicate with others that share similar life experiences that are related to prescription drug addiction while working to build coping and social skills.
• Individual Therapy – The individual continues to meet with a professional therapist(s) once or even several times per week; virtual and/or in-office therapy sessions.
• 12 Step Program(s) – These types of aftercare programs are fellowship-based; the most common programs are either Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or Narcotics Anonymous (NA). These programs offer encouragement and support for the individual as they continue on their path to lasting recovery.

Aftercare is designed to reduce your time requirements during initial treatment whilst still providing a strong support system to help foster lasting sobriety and overall, improved mental health.