Prescription Drug Rehab in Arizona

It’s been all over the news in recent years – how the opioid epidemic is affecting the United States – stories of addiction, overdoses, and deaths related to prescription opioid drugs. Unfortunately, opioids are not the only type of medications prescribed by doctors that are abused. Benzodiazepines and prescription stimulants are among the medications that some people become dependent on and addicted to. And it’s happening to many seemingly “normal” people.

For many, the idea that perfectly “normal” and upstanding citizens can become addicted to drugs is an implausible concept. The stereotypical addict is someone who lacks willpower, has no redeeming character traits, and who lacks any form of morality – the strung-out homeless person who sleeps under an overpass and begs for money to get more drugs. The truth is that addiction can strike anyone, anywhere, people from all walks of life struggle with it. It doesn’t discriminate based on gender, race, religion, economic standing, or any other individual distinctions. And it isn’t a moral failing. In fact, many of the individuals who become addicted to prescription medication, began their road to addiction under legitimate, doctor-supervised circumstances only to end up needing treatment for their addiction somewhere down the line.

What Types of Prescription Drugs are Addictive?

Opioid painkillers, benzodiazepines, and prescription stimulants are all medications that have a high potential for abuse and addiction. Abusing these types of drugs can be dangerous and, in some cases, even life-threatening.

Opioids are a class of medications that are prescribed to patients for pain relief. They are typically used for chronic pain, such as pain associated with cancer, and acute pain, such as pain during and after surgery or serious injury. These drugs are legal but require a prescription. Some common opioid drugs are fentanyl, oxycodone, hydrocodone, codeine, morphine, and many others.

Benzodiazepines are medications that have a sedative effect. They are most commonly prescribed to alleviate anxiety or to help people with insomnia. Benzodiazepines, benzos for short, provide patients relief by raising the level of an inhibitory neurotransmitter, called gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the brain. Some common benzodiazepines include Valium, Xanax, and Klonopin, among others.

Prescription stimulants are medications such as Ritalin, Concerta, Dexedrine, and Adderall. They are typically amphetamines, which are in the same class of stimulant drugs as methamphetamine and cocaine. They are designed to increase alertness, energy, and attention, and are often prescribed for patients who suffer from attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHA) or narcolepsy. Like all stimulant drugs, these prescription stimulants increase the level of dopamine in the brain. Dopamine is the neurotransmitter that is associated with pleasure, attention, and movement.

While all of these medications are effective at what they are prescribed for, they also run the risk of dependence and addiction.

What is a Prescription Drug Rehab in Arizona?

Once your body is physically dependent on or addicted to prescription drugs like opioids, benzos, and stimulants, it is hard to stop using them on your own. Withdrawal symptoms begin when you stop these medications abruptly and those symptoms can be uncomfortable and unpleasant, and even life-threatening with opioids and benzos.

That’s why it’s often recommended that people suffering with prescription drug addiction attend a medically supervised detoxification facility. It’s also often recommended that after detox, individuals continue with further addiction treatment. The best chances of having a long-lasting recovery are associated with getting the right type of addiction treatment at a prescription drug rehab.

What Are the Risks of Prescription Drug Abuse?

There are always risks and side effects associated with medications. When they are not taken as prescribed, in larger or more frequent amounts, those risks can be much worse.

Opioids medications, when abused, will provide the user with a euphoric feeling and it has sedative effect. However, it can also produce the following side effects:

Nausea, vomiting, constipation
Dizziness and confusion
Extreme relaxation and fatigue
Excessive itching
Lightheadedness
Fainting
Skin conditions including hives or rash
Decreased heart rate
Seizures
Overdose
Coma Death
Benzodiazepines can cause negative effects when it is used for extended periods of time, or in high doses. Some of the most common negative effects of benzos are:
Disorientation and confusion
Trouble speaking or slurred speech
Slow heart rate
Loss of coordination and motoe skills
Reduced respiratory rate
Memory loss
Excessive sedation
Coma
Death
Prescription stimulants can also cause negative effects when not used properly or when used heavily for a period of time. Some of the effects of these medications include:
Insomnia
Nausea and constipation
Apathy
Inability to concentrate or focus
Aggression or irritability
Suicidal ideations or depression
Paranoia
Anxiety and panic attacks
Increased heart rate and blood pressure
Mood swings
Hallucinations
Weight loss
Headaches
Brain damage
Tremors
Heart problems
Overdose
Seizure
Stroke
Cardiac Arrest
Death
The risks of using prescription medications, like those above, increases even more when they are mixed with alcohol, which can be a deadly combination.

What Are the Benefits of Prescription Drug Rehab?

If you are physically dependent on or addicted to prescription medication, treatment in a drug rehab is the best option. It is extremely difficult for most people to get clean and sober on their own. It involves breaking physical dependence as well as addressing the underlying issues that led to addiction. In rehab, those issues will be worked through. You will also receive addiction education, so you can understand all the aspects of the disease and how to manage it. You will also take part in therapy, individual and group, to work on recovery. Peer support is extremely helpful for people with addiction, and in rehab you will have that, and you will be introduced to support groups, like 12 step programs, outside of rehab that also offer it.

You will learn coping strategies that will allow you to identify and mitigate triggers and relapse prevention techniques to help keep you clean even when you have cravings. Prescription drug rehab won’t be easy, but when you are willing to do the work, it will give you all the tools and strategies you need to live a drug-free life.

Who Should Attend Prescription Rehab in Arizona?

Anyone who has become dependent on or addicted to prescription drugs will benefit from attending a treatment program. It doesn’t take long for your body to become used to functioning with medication in its system. Once that happens, it may feel like the prescribed dosage is no longer working effectively because you are building a tolerance to the medication. Often times, that leads to taking more medication, or taking it more often, to achieve the same amount of relief. This is how the cycle of addiction begins.

If you are in this situation, it may be time to seek help at a prescription drug rehab. Only you can decide whether you need help to stop using prescription drugs. If you believe you do, whether it’s a physical dependence that you cannot seem to overcome or a full-blown addiction that is taking over your life, rehab can help and recovery is possible.

What to Look for in a Prescription Drug Rehab in Arizona?

Finding the right prescription drug rehab for your individual needs can be challenging. There are many treatment centers and types of addiction programs available. To start narrowing down your search, there are some factors you should consider. Some are specific to you and what you are looking for, while others are specific to the treatment facility and its program.

Consider the following:

What level of care do you need? Is outpatient enough, or should you consider inpatient?
Do you want to attend a local program, or is traveling for treatment an option?
What are the costs of treatment, and which programs align with your insurance and budget?
Is there family participation in the program?
Is the treatment center accredited and licensed? What about the qualifications of the staff?
Does the program address co-occurring disorders if you need that?
What type of aftercare does the program offer?
These are just a handful of concerns that you need to address before you make your choice. You may find that you have other that are also important to you. Just remember, don’t be afraid ask questions. Be sure that you choose based on the type of program you want and that meets your needs.

How Can Stonewall Help with Prescription Drug Addiction?

Prescription drug addiction can be devastating for those who are addicted, their families, and other loved ones. However, recovery is possible for those who are willing to take the first step by seeking treatment in a prescription drug rehab. Withdrawal from these medications can be very uncomfortable, even painful, and it should be medically supervised. This allows them to receive medical attention should they need it, and it makes detoxing as comfortable as possible.

The next step treatment program where patients receive therapy, education, and support for their beginning recovery. Lastly, it’s essential that people who have attended addiction treatment continue with aftercare. An aftercare drug treatment program is typically offered by rehab centers for those who have completed rehab.

If you or a loved one is suffering with prescription drug addiction, Stonewall Institute is here to help. We have programs that are designed for people who have addictions to prescription medications and experience to help you get started with recovery right away. Please contact us at (602)-535-6468 and a member of our intake team will be happy to answer your questions.