There are not many who haven’t been personally affected by the abuse of prescription drugs. The problem has been called an epidemic in many states throughout the country, crime has increase as a result and the illegal sale and use of prescriptions is at an all time high.
Some start abusing prescriptions without even knowing it. An accident, injury or illness may require the need to take them in the first place.
Then unknowingly the person becomes addicted whether they’re a teenager, middle-aged or even part of the elderly population.
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, averages of 52 million people over the age of 12 have used a prescription drug non-medically. In addition, of those nearly 14% were dependent on prescriptions.
One of the largest areas of prescription abuse is the use of prescription pain medications and stimulants. Some of the most common include:
• OxyContin
• Oxycodone
• Vicoden
• Loritab
• Adderall
• Ritalin
Even with the ongoing prescription epidemic, there are solutions that exist through treatment.
According to the leading professionals in the addiction treatment field here are some good tips for getting someone help:
1. Stop Enabling – If you are giving the addicted person a place to live, have them move out. This also includes not paying bills or giving them money.
2. Insist on Treatment – No matter what most prescription drug addicts will find many reasons why they should not have to get into treatment. This can include not wanting to leave a job, be away from loved ones or change environments. The best thing you can do is insist that the person gets into a program.
3. Make Sure the Treatment is Right for the Problem – Some programs specialize in giving those already addicted to prescriptions more drugs. The best thing to do is to research any program you are looking at as to the type of treatment and success before having your loved one enroll. In many instances, replacement drug therapy during rehab is used. We recommend staying away from these types of programs. Usually a dual diagnosis drug rehab can help get to the underlying issues of why the person is using drugs.
4. Get All Prescriptions Out of the House – Once the individual is in treatment it’s important to get all drugs and traces of the drugs out of the house. Many people are prescribed these drugs and will leave unused prescriptions in their medicine cabinets. Having these medications on hand, and in the reach of an addicted or formerly addicted person can lead to relapse.
5. Make Sure Aftercare Is In – One of the most important parts of prescription rehab is the aftercare that follows it. A good aftercare program with strong, positive support can help an individual maintain permanent sobriety. Many programs will send clients home with full aftercare programs that they follow or give them aftercare options like half way houses and outpatient.
For more information on prescription drug rehab call one of our counselors today.