While prescription drugs are useful for a variety of physical and mental health conditions, some of them are habit-forming and addictive. Unfortunately, you could easily fall into a pattern of substance abuse if you begin taking your medications in a manner other than prescribed. This might involve taking higher doses, mixing your medication with alcohol, or snorting them instead of swallowing them.
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), 14.3 million people reported abusing prescription drugs in 2021.[1]
If you are addicted to a prescription drug, that means your brain and body depend on it to function properly. As a result, suddenly stopping the use of it will lead to withdrawal symptoms. Depending on which type of medication you are addicted to, withdrawal can be severe and life-threatening without medical assistance.
Medical detox programs offer the tools and services you need to overcome withdrawal safely. Detox involves in-depth assessments, medical stabilization, psychological support, medications to soothe your symptoms, and further treatment planning.
What you will learn:
- Which prescription medications are addictive
- What to expect during prescription drug detox in Memphis, Tennessee
- How each facet of detox helps you recover from addiction
Which Prescription Drugs Are Addictive?
While many medications do not pose a risk of addiction, some of them can lead to physical and mental dependence. For example, if you were given benzodiazepines to treat a mental health disorder like anxiety or insomnia, you might be at an increased risk of developing a substance use disorder. Another common example of addictive prescription medications is opioid pain relievers.
The main prescription drugs that pose a risk of addiction include:
- Stimulants and amphetamines
- Benzodiazepines
- Tranquilizers or sedatives
- Barbiturates
- Opioids
If you begin taking a higher dose than you are prescribed, mixing your medication with other substances like alcohol, or altering the form of the medication to snort, smoke, or inject it, you are abusing your prescription. Prescription drug abuse often leads to a full-blown substance use disorder, which requires professional addiction treatment. The first step in recovering from addiction is attending a detox center in Memphis, TN.
What to Expect During Prescription Drug Detox in Memphis
If you are considering attending a prescription drug detox in Memphis, you might be wondering what to expect. The withdrawal symptoms you experience will depend on what type of drug you are abusing. Detox programs use medications to prevent your symptoms from becoming uncomfortable or severe.
During a prescription medication detox center in Memphis, you can expect:
Assessment
When you arrive at a detox center you will undergo an in-depth assessment to determine your specific needs. Medical professionals will ask you questions about your physical and mental health as well as your history of prescription drug abuse. This helps the team create an individualized treatment plan based on the services you will need to recover.
Medical Stabilization
Once your treatment plan is created, you will begin the medical stabilization phase. Nurses and doctors will check your vital signs, provide IV fluids, and use other treatments to ensure you are healthy and stable. Your doctor might ask you questions about what withdrawal symptoms you are currently experiencing to get a better idea of which medications you’ll need.
Throughout your time in detox, your vitals will be checked to make sure you remain comfortable and safe.
Psychological Support
In addition to keeping you physically stable, you will be able to speak with mental health professionals around the clock. Detoxing from prescription drugs can be tough on your mental health, making this a vital step in the recovery process. Whether you need a quick one-on-one chat with a therapist, a full individual session, or group counseling, you will have access to the care you need.
Medication Management
You will be given medications to soothe the withdrawal symptoms and cravings you are experiencing. The type of medication you are provided with will depend on which prescription drug you are abusing. For example, opioid withdrawal is often treated with Suboxone or methadone while benzodiazepine withdrawal is managed with a long-acting benzodiazepine.
It is most common for medications to be offered on a tapering schedule. This means your dose will be slowly lowered until you no longer experience withdrawal symptoms. Tapering you off of your prescription drug will make the withdrawal process easier for you to overcome.
Long-Term Treatment Planning
Once you overcome withdrawal, you will begin working with your therapist to create a long-term treatment plan. After all, detox is only the first step in recovering from addiction. Depending on your needs, you might be transferred into an inpatient rehab center, an outpatient treatment center, or a dual diagnosis rehab.
Find Help for Prescription Drug Addiction
If you or a loved one suffers from prescription drug addiction, it’s time to consider attending detox. Detox programs will make the first hurdle of addiction recovery much easier to overcome.
PAX Memphis can connect you with a state-of-the-art detox program that hires highly qualified teams of professionals to help you recover. We will only refer you to programs that use an evidence-based detoxification process, ensuring you get the care you need.
Contact us today for more information on how we can connect you with a prescription drug detox program.
References:
- The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA): What is the scope of prescription drug misuse in the United States