While people of all ages are prescribed prescription pills like opioids, it doesn’t mean they’re entirely safe. Our addiction treatment center in Palm Springs offers a prescription drug addiction treatment that doesn’t shame people with this condition but rather offers them a safe and effective way to heal and recover. Our Banyan team is here to help as many people as they possibly can achieve an addiction-free life.

What Is an Example of Prescription Drug Addiction?

An example of prescription drug addiction is an individual who becomes dependent on and misuses prescription medications, leading to negative consequences for their health, relationships, and overall well-being. One common type of prescription drug that is associated with addiction is opioid pain medications. Here's a hypothetical example:

Let's say a man experienced chronic back pain following a workplace injury. His doctor prescribed him opioid pain relievers, such as oxycodone, to manage the pain. Initially, the man took the medication as prescribed and found relief from his discomfort. However, over time, he noticed that he needed higher doses to achieve the same pain relief.

As he continued to use the medication, he developed a tolerance to its effects, and the desire for pain relief turned into a psychological and physical dependence on the opioids. Even when his back pain improved, John found it difficult to stop taking the medication. He began to experience withdrawal symptoms, such as anxiety, nausea, and restlessness, when he tried to reduce the dosage or stop using the opioids.

Despite the negative consequences, including strained relationships with family and friends, diminished work performance, and concerns about his health, the man found himself preoccupied with obtaining and using the prescription medication. He began "doctor shopping" to get multiple prescriptions from different healthcare providers, and he occasionally resorted to buying opioids illegally when his prescriptions ran out.

In this example, the man's dependence on prescription opioids has escalated to a state of addiction. He is unable to control his use of the medication, despite negative consequences, and his behavior reflects the compulsive and harmful patterns associated with substance addiction.

It's important to note that prescription drug addiction can involve medications beyond opioids, including benzodiazepines, stimulants, and other psychoactive drugs. Addiction to prescription medications is a serious and complex issue that requires professional intervention, support, and treatment to address the underlying causes and facilitate recovery.

Signs of Prescription Drug Abuse

The early stages of drug abuse aren’t always evident. An individual who has become addicted to a medication they’ve been prescribed may not send off any red flags to others because it’s their medication. As a loved one, you may not think twice about someone’s prescription pill use. However, as their dependence worsens, their addiction will become more evident.

The most common signs and symptoms of prescription pill addiction include:

• Neglecting responsibilities at work or school
• Decrease in performance at work or school
• Change in friend groups
• Sudden mood swings
• Odd or obvious change in character or behavior towards others
• Separating themselves from others
• Secretive behavior
• Unwillingness to talk about their drug use
• Doctor shopping, constantly changing doctors for more prescriptions
• Sleeping difficulties or changes in sleep pattern
• Decrease in or lack of personal hygiene
• Severe changes in weight

If someone you know is exhibiting any signs of a prescription pill addiction, do not wait to get them help. Before beginning prescription pill addiction treatment, patients will undergo a prescription pill detox. Our detox programs incorporate medical assistance (as needed) and offer patients 24-hour care and support. This process helps mitigate withdrawal symptoms and addiction cravings while safely weaning patients off of drugs.

Our Prescription Drug Addiction Treatment Center in Palm Springs

Prescription drug addiction treatment centers that utilize safe and effective modalities are hard to come by. At Banyan Treatment Centers Palm Springs, we pride ourselves on providing patients with safe and effective addiction care that’s designed to make sobriety a possibility. In order to ensure that our clients are following an addiction treatment plan that’s catered to their needs, we perform a clinical assessment upon their arrival at our facility. With this assessment, we can determine which forms of treatment will be most beneficial for them.

There is no “one-size-fits-all” addiction treatment for prescription drugs. We believe in incorporating as many comprehensive approaches as possible to ensure that patients receive the care they need. In addition to medically monitored detox, we also utilize various addiction programs and therapies to create a well-rounded treatment experience.

If you or someone you know is struggling with drug or alcohol abuse, Banyan Palm Springs can help. Contact us now to learn more about our substance abuse treatment in Palm Springs.