Prescription Drug Addiction Treatment

Treatment and rehab can help you overcome an addiction to prescription drugs safely.

Addiction to prescription drugs will often take the same types and amount of treatment as any other drug addiction. Though every individual is different, there are specific treatments that are considered to be effective for most patients.

The NIDA states, “The two main categories of drug addiction treatment are behavioral [therapy] and pharmacological [medication].” While sometimes these treatments can be used separately, the use of various treatments together with one another is often the most effective means of healing. Individuals struggling with drug addiction need to find the treatment program and facility that best fits their needs which means considering many options and making an informed decision.

Once a patient decides on their treatment facility and program, they can begin to recover from addiction one day at a time. The common treatment options for each type of prescription drug addiction are:

• Depressants 
  • Medication: A slow tapering of the medication the individual was on in order to avoid intense withdrawal symptoms; no pharmacological treatment for the addiction to depressants themselves exists as of now
  • Therapy: cognitive behavioral therapy, contingency management, group therapy, etc.
• Opioids
  • Medication: Naltrexone (an opioid antagonist), methadone (a synthetic opioid agonist), and buprenorphine (a partial opioid agonist) are all used as treatment for opioid addiction. Buprenorphine and methadone can also be used in medically-assisted detox, and all three treat addiction to the drug in both the short and long-terms.
  • Therapy: similar to depressants
• Stimulants 
  • Medication: Anti-depressants and other medications may be used to curb withdrawal symptoms but, as of yet, there are no pharmacological treatments for stimulant addiction.
  • Therapy: cognitive behavioral therapy, the Matrix Model, contingency management

When a person attends treatment, it makes it much easier for them to learn ways to stop abusing drugs and to go through withdrawal without the traumatic or painful effects.

Prescription drug abuse can lead to addiction the same way illicit drug abuse does. It is important to recognize the signs of this disorder and to be able to help someone in need by seeking treatment for them.