Prescription Drug Abuse - Wilmington
Individuals from all walks of life are known to abuse drugs on a regular basis. While illegal drugs and alcohol get most of the media attention, prescription drug abuse is a massive problem that is not going away.
Commonly abused prescription drugs include opioids, stimulants, and central nervous system depressants. Treatment centers helping people to withdraw from these substances and seek the ongoing therapy they need to stay clean.
If you are seeking rehab for an unhealthy dependence on prescription medication, call Drug Treatment Centers Wilmington at (877) 804-1531 they can help you find the right treatment center to meet your needs.
What is Prescription Drug Abuse?
Prescription drug abuse affects millions of people every day, with an estimated 20 percent of the US population taking pharmaceuticals for non-medical reasons according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. Abusing these medications can lead to changes in the brain, with ongoing health and social problems a likely outcome for many people.
While the exact cause of drug abuse and addiction is not clear, people affected may be influenced by a genetic disposition along with learned habits and changes in brain neuroplasticity. A wide range of prescription drugs can potentially be abused, with some substances known to cause physical dependence and associated withdrawal symptoms.
Rehab centers are able to help with all aspects of the rehabilitation process, from the initial stages of detox and medical treatment through to the later stages of therapy and relapse prevention.
Common Drugs of Abuse
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, there are three classes of prescription drugs commonly abused:
Opioids are the most widely abused, with examples of opioid drugs including codeine, fentanyl, hydrocodone, oxycodone, methadone, morphine, hydromorphone and meperidine. All of these drugs are prescribed to treat pain, with some of the stronger medications highly effective in the treatment of acute pain. Along with these drugs, there are also combination medications such as Lorcet, Lortab and Percocet that combine opioids with other substances.
Central nervous system depressants are another commonly abused class of drugs, with benzodiazepines like Xanax, Valium and Ativan the worst offenders. Commonly used to treat sleep and anxiety disorders, these drugs are also abused on a regular basis. Benzodiazepines are taken for their sedative and hypnotic properties, and are generally viewed as safe and effective for short-term use.
The third class of widely abused prescription drugs are stimulants such as Adderall or Ritalin, amphetamines that are used to treat attention deficit disorder and narcolepsy. They are commonly abused by college-aged students who use these substances to increase focus for academic purposes.
How to Recognize Prescription Drug Abuse
Common signs and symptoms of opioid abuse include:
- Constipation
- Depression
- Low blood pressure
- Sweating
- Poor co-ordination
- Confusion
- A decreased breathing rate
Common signs and symptoms of sedative abuse include:
- Confusion
- Drowsiness
- Poor judgment
- Dizziness
- Unsteady walking patterns
Common signs and symptoms of stimulant abuse include:
- Rapid weight loss
- Agitation
- Insomnia
- Irregular heartbeat patterns
- Impulsive behavior
- Irritability
General signs of prescription drug abuse may also include:
- Excessive mood swings
- Poor decision making
- Obtaining prescriptions from multiple doctors or Internet dealers
- Changes to sleeping patterns
Treatment Options for Pharmaceutical Addiction
There are a range of treatment options available for people abusing prescription drugs, from full intervention and medical detox programs through to family therapy and 12-step programs. Depending on the drug in question and the extent of abuse, some patients may require residential treatment at a rehab center to deal with withdrawal symptoms and receive ongoing medical attention.
The best way to recover from substance abuse is to get help immediately. For professional rehab help and information on finding the right treatment center that best meets your needs, call Drug Treatment Centers Wilmington at (877) 804-1531.