If someone you know is addicted to one or more types of prescription drugs, they should attend formal drug rehab. You may not be sure whether or not your friend or family member is truly addicted, but by making some careful observations, you can usually see if they have a severe problem. If they do, you may need to seek out prescription drug rehab on their behalf.
Behavioral Signs of Prescription Drug Addiction
Prescription drugs can be deadly. Get the help you need today.
Someone who is addicted to prescription drugs will exhibit many types of strange behaviors. They will often not act like themselves and, according to the NLM, they will have “a strong urge to use the substance and [will not be able to] stop, even if they want to.” This lack of control is a definite sign of addiction, and noticing it in your loved one will mean that they need prescription drug rehab. Other signs that they will exhibit if they need this type of treatment are:
Neglecting their responsibilities, “missing work or school, or a decrease in performance”
Becoming violent or hostile (especially if the individual is abusing prescription stimulants as this kind of behavior can cause “intense anger and paranoia” to the point of full-blown psychosis) (NIDA Teen)
Abusing prescription drugs every day and while alone
Making excuses in order to abuse drugs
Building of a high tolerance for the drug and the continued abuse of it, especially when the dosage abused becomes higher and higher
“Hostility when confronted about drug dependence”
Activities that they once cared about no longer mattering
Spending time only with others who abuse drugs and neglecting old friends
“Continuing the use of drugs even when health, work, or family are being harmed”
Those who are severely abusing prescription drugs also have a tendency to do illegal things in order to get more. Prescription drug addicts might steal prescriptions or fake them, buy drugs that are only available by prescription, or do dangerous things in order to get more of the drug. If they crave one or more prescription drugs to this point, rehab is necessary.
Physical Signs of Prescription Drug Addiction
Someone who abuses prescription drugs will likely encounter many physical problems as a result of their abuse. If your loved one has overdosed on depressants, stimulants, or opioids (or another type of prescription drug), they may be addicted and could benefit from rehab, especially if they were in extreme danger. The NIDA states that prescription opioid and depressant overdoses can cause death, especially when combined with alcohol, and prescription stimulants in high doses can cause cardiovascular failure.
Other physical signs of prescription drug addiction are:
Withdrawal symptoms
Not necessarily a sign of addiction, but if the individual is already abusing prescription drugs and experiences withdrawal, it means that they are dependent which occurs along with addiction in drug abusers over time
Chronic physical issues
Like all other drugs, prescription medications can cause severe physical problems in those who do not use them properly. Each type of drug causes its own physical issues.
If you see these behavioral or physical symptoms in your loved one, they may need prescription drug rehab in order to stop, especially if they are unable or unwilling to stop on their own.
What is Dual Diagnosis? According to the US National Library of Medicine and National Institutes of Health, dual diagnosis is when a person has both a drug or alcohol problem and a mental illness. These conditions often occur together. For example, with alcohol, it is common in a dual diagnosis for the person to also….
Recently, the National Institute of Health announced that it will not pursue the proposed development of a single entity or institute that is devoted solely to addiction and substance abuse. This decision has many believing that the NIH is just not committed to making change and to stopping addiction in its tracks and this worries….
The process of addiction rehabilitation and getting sober differs from one patient to the next but there are always some similarities involved with each. For instance, everyone who decides to get sober will have to take steps to overcome physical dependence on drugs and to overcome psychological implications of the drug abuse. The steps of….
One of the most difficult things to do is watch a loved one kill themselves with drugs or alcohol. You beg and plead with them, asking them to seek treatment but they always go back to their addiction. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, treatment does not have to be voluntary to work…..
As alcohol and drug addiction rates continue to rise, the demand for quality drug rehab centers has become all the more pressing. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, while addiction can cause considerable harm to vital brain functions, it’s nonetheless a treatable disease. The addictions field has well established treatment models from which….
Opiate addictions have seemingly taken the United States by storm, with an estimated two million Americans reportedly abusing opiates in 2009, according to the National Center for Biotechnology Information. The common practice of prescribing opiates to treat pain-related conditions has left those most vulnerable to addiction to fend for themselves. Recreational users also soon discover….
Meth addiction is a very dangerous and damaging condition that affects thousands of individuals and their families each and every day. When you know that a loved one is addicted to crystal meth, getting them to go to rehab can save their life but how you will get them to accept help is another story. Many meth….
There are many ways that exercise benefits us naturally and during drug rehab exercise becomes just as important as ever in assuring the health and healing of an individual. Many drug rehab centers now offer exercise programs as a way of helping addicts to heal physically and build their strength while working toward their own….
Palm Partners of Delray Beach, Florida provides the most private luxury rehab center in the country offering exclusive help for business executives, professional athletes and celebrities. (Delray Beach, Florida: 8/11/2011): Palm Partners introduces a private, ultra confidential, ultra luxury rehab center that provides the most effective addiction treatment services in the industry. Located in Delray….
Local rehabilitation centers are the natural choice for many individuals. But while there are beneficial aspects to choosing a facility that is close to home, there are also drawbacks to this type of facility. Knowing the pros and cons of local rehab centers can help you make a more informed choice and find the facility….
Calls to numbers on a specific treatment center listing will be routed to that treatment center. Additional calls will also be forwarded and returned by a quality treatment center within the USA.
Calls to any general helpline (non-facility specific 1-8XX numbers) for your visit will be answered by a licensed drug and alcohol rehab facility, a paid advertiser on RehabCenters.com.