Prescription Drug Dependence

The most commonly misused prescription drugs are opiate painkillers.
Studies show that in 2020, over 16 million Americans, or 5.8% of the population, misused prescription psychotherapeutic drugs over the previous year, while 20%-30% of people prescribed opiate medications abused them. When discussing prescription drug abuse in Los Angeles, CA, alone, we know that 70% of overdose deaths were caused by opiates, though this figure may be an understatement due to incomplete data. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, prescription drug abuse is the fastest-growing drug problem in the states.

Opioids and Painkillers — From Relief to Addiction

Prescription drug and opiate addiction typically begins with a prescription by doctors to help patients struggling with moderate to severe pain, typically after surgery or as a result of a chronic painful condition. However, after an extended period of time ingesting these chemicals, you can develop a tolerance as well as a physical dependency, also known as a drug addiction. When this happens, you might start taking more medication than prescribed. This puts you at risk of overdosing, as well as running out of your medication before it’s time to refill the prescription.

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If by doing this you run out of pills, you might turn to alternative sources such as street drugs or find an illegal way to procure more pills. These activities, being illegal, can be classified as a symptom of a prescription drug use disorder, leaving you at risk of overdosing on originally safe medication. Overdose deaths linked to opiates can be caused by:

  • A sudden drop in tolerance
  • Consuming a drug that’s laced with dangerous fillers like fentanyl and clonazolam
  • Combining medication with other illicit drugs or alcohol (which is extremely dangerous, as both opiates and alcohol can both fatally suppress the respiratory system)
  • A fatal accident occurring due to impaired cognition, such as a car accident
  • Simply taking too much medication

If you suffer from drug dependency, the good news is that the condition is treatable with prescription medication drug rehab. At Spark To Recovery rehab center in Los Angeles, our team of highly skilled staff will work with you to facilitate a range of therapies and clinical programs targeted at recovery and holistic well-being.

What Is Prescription Drug Addiction?

Prescription drug addiction occurs when a patient consumes prescription pills for a reason other than why it was prescribed or doesn’t follow the prescription instructions. For instance, some patients may think taking more than advised will result in their condition being treated faster. Doctors in Los Angeles, overprescribing these drugs can also result in patients developing a dependence on an illicit drug they don’t need.

There are warning signs to look for if you think you or someone you love has an opioid addiction or other substance addiction. Below are some common prescription addiction symptoms, although they can vary depending on the drug in question:

  • Sense of euphoria
  • Nausea
  • Confusion
  • Drowsiness
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Dizziness
  • Slurred speech
  • Mood swings

In addition, many patients also suffer from stress and anxiety associated with traumatic events that happened to them, which can lead them to self-medicate, furthering their drug or alcohol addiction.

At Spark To Recovery addiction treatment centers in Los Angeles, we provide quality programs and therapies to holistically address the needs of the body, mind, and spirit. Therapies we use in our drug rehab’s substance abuse prevention programs include:

  • Individual therapy
  • Group and family therapy
  • Life skills coaching, including teaching natural ways to alleviate pain and stress
  • Nutritional counseling
  • Yoga therapy
  • Sober outings
  • Medication management
  • Moral Reconation Therapy to minimize the risk of relapse
  • Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT)
  • Recreational activities designed to encourage creativity, social connectedness and self-esteem
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Prescription Drug Abuse Treatment Options

At Spark To Recovery, we utilize a combination of medication assisted addiction treatment services and specialized therapies for patients with an opiate addiction or other substance abuse issue. We believe no two patients are the same, which is why we will devise a holistic rehab program for each client based on the specific problems they face.

When you come to us, our aim is not just to rid you of your dependence on prescription medications but to ensure you adopt a healthy state of mind. To this end, our range of therapies focuses on helping patients manage negative thoughts and build a healthy self-image, especially if they’ve been diagnosed with a co-occurring disorder.

Dual Diagnosis Treatment in Los Angeles

It’s common for patients with a substance use disorder to also suffer from a mental illness, and our rehab programs are aimed at tackling both problems in relation to each other. Spark To Recovery offers a co-occurring disorders treatment program that helps with the extra challenges a person faces when suffering from mental illness. In 2020, one in five Americans were diagnosed with some type of mental illness, and 17 million of those people turned to substance abuse as a way to cope. Dual diagnosis treatment centers can teach you the stress management and life skills needed to face the world without self-medicating.

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Using evidence-based treatments that include group and individual therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and medication management, recovery counselors can help you on the path to a successful recovery from addiction while living with mental health disorders.

When you come to us, our aim is not just to rid you of your dependence on prescription medications but to ensure you adopt a healthy state of mind. To this end, our range of therapies focuses on helping patients manage negative thoughts and build a healthy self-image, especially if they’ve been diagnosed with a co-occurring disorder.

Choose Spark To Recovery for Professional Prescription Drug Treatment

If you or a loved one has a problem with substance abuse, including relying too heavily on prescription drugs, reach out to Spark To Recovery addiction treatment center for help. Call Spark To Recovery in Los Angeles at (888) 915-1103 and schedule a consultation with one of our professional addiction and recovery specialists who can get you started on the road to recovery today.

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