In this day and age, doctors often prescribe pharmaceuticals to their patients for extended periods of time. Unfortunately, some patients quickly become dependent on their medications, even if they are using the medicine as the doctor instructed. They may find that they need more of the drug to get the same effect or start using the medication to achieve the intense high they enjoyed. If this is the case for you, you may require prescription drug addiction treatment in order to heal. At Bonfire Behavioral Health, we’re proud to provide the care you need to overcome your addiction. Call our team today at 603.617.4815 to learn more about the treatment options available.
Symptoms of Prescription Drug Addiction
Because many people receive prescription medications from their doctors, they may not be aware of the danger of addiction. Unfortunately, many medications are highly addictive. As a result, you can develop a dependency even if you are following your doctor’s instructions. It is critical to recognize the signs of prescription drug addiction so that you can get the care you need as soon as possible.
The symptoms of addiction differ based on what type of medication you’re using. For instance, many doctors prescribe opioids to help patients manage pain after surgery or a traumatic injury. Opioids include medications such as oxycodone, Percocet, and hydrocodone. If you’re struggling with opioid abuse, you may begin to experience worsening pain sensitivity requiring higher doses of the medication.
Another medication that doctors often prescribe is benzodiazepines or benzos. Benzos can help relieve anxiety and help with sleep disorders. However, they can also be highly addictive, leading to needing to take multiple doses to get through the day.
Doctors also may prescribe stimulants to help people with ADHD or other hyperactive disorders. However, long-term stimulant use can lead to anxiety, paranoia, and agitation.
No matter what medication you’re using, it is critical to recognize when your use has turned to abuse. For instance, the common symptoms of prescription drug addiction can include:
- Forging, stealing, or selling prescriptions
- Mood swings or hostility
- Changes in sleeping patterns
- Taking higher doses than your doctor prescribed
- Poor decision-making skills
- Seeking prescriptions from multiple doctors
- Requesting early refills for “lost” prescriptions
- Appearing unusually sedated, energetic, or high
If you recognize these symptoms in yourself or a loved one, it’s critical to seek a substance abuse treatment program as soon as possible.
What Can You Expect in Prescription Drug Addiction Treatment?
When you reach out to Bonfire Behavioral Health about our prescription drug and opioid addiction treatment program, our first step will be to perform an evaluation. During this evaluation, we’ll ask you about your prescription drug use to determine what medications you’ve used, what dosage you’re using them at, and how severe your addiction is. We may also ask you about any underlying mental health conditions. Research shows that addiction and mental health conditions are often related, so we want to make sure we address both problems during treatment. This treatment option is called dual diagnosis treatment.
Once we have a thorough understanding of your addiction, we’ll develop a treatment plan. You will spend a significant part of your treatment in therapy, and we want to make sure that you receive the therapy that you require to heal. As a result, we offer each patient an individualized treatment plan. For example, your treatment plan may include:
- Group therapy program
- Family therapy program
- Relapse prevention therapy program
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) program
- Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) program
Begin the Road to Recovery at Bonfire Behavioral Health
Prescription drug addiction has taken over your life for far too long. Reach out to Bonfire Behavioral Health today by calling 603.617.4815. With our prescription drug addiction program, you can put your addiction in the past and move into a brighter future.