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What to Expect During Prescription Drug Rehab

In the US, about 16.1 million people reported they had misused a prescription drug. While this doesn’t automatically mean addiction, it can be the path to addiction. 

Problems with prescription drug abuse are soaring across the country. The numbers are startling for those prescription drugs, including psychotherapeutic drugs, prescription stimulants, prescription tranquilizers, prescription pain medication, and benzodiazepines.

It’s also the reason so many users and their loved ones are looking for prescription drug rehab options. 

If you or someone you love needs help for prescription drug abuse, you might wonder what prescription drug rehab will be like. What should you expect when you decide to commit to an inpatient drug rehab program?

Read on to learn more about the prescription drug abuse epidemic and what to expect when you seek rehab help.

Startling Statistics for Prescription Drug Addiction

The statistics for prescription drug addiction in the US are startling. Let’s take a closer look:

  • 9.3 million people reported misusing prescription pain medication in the past year
  • 4.8 million people reported misusing benzodiazepines in the past year
  • 6.2 million people) reported misusing prescription sedatives or tranquilizers in the past year

As many as 6% of the U.S. population have used prescription drugs for nonmedical reasons in the last year. 

Misuse of prescription drug medication can change the way your brain works. It’s often the reason that those abusing prescription drugs need an inpatient treatment program to break the addiction cycle. 

Signs of Prescription Drug Addiction

If you’re worried about a loved one and their prescription drug use, you might wonder if they really do have a problem. 

Here are some of the signs to watch for with prescription drug abuse, including:

  • Forging prescriptions
  • Stealing or selling prescriptions
  • Taking more medication than is prescribed
  • Excessive hostility and mood swings
  • Change in sleep patterns, either much more or much less sleeping
  • Impaired decision-making ability
  • Lost prescriptions or asking for early refills so more prescriptions will be written
  • Doctor shopping or getting prescriptions from more than one doctor 

It’s important to watch the behavior of the drug user. They might appear high, sedated, or extremely energetic.

Diagnosis

If you work with trusted medical professionals, they can often begin the process of addressing the issue of addiction. 

They can look at the user’s medical history and drug use. Of course, this only works if the user is honest with the doctor about where they’re getting drugs and how much they’re using. 

Often sharing with medical professionals the signs displayed by the drug user will help to work towards addressing the issue of getting help. 

Doctors can also run blood and urine tests to assess drug usage to better consider the right treatment options.

Inpatient Rehab Treatment

Many prescription drug abusers find they need to have a complete break from the outside world. In fact, sometimes, the temptations and routines of outside life are too hard to break away from. 

It’s for this reason that many opt for inpatient rehab treatment. This type of treatment plan means the user is getting individualized 24-hour-a-day support away from the temptations of everyday life. 

An inpatient program provides a safe and supportive environment to work towards a drug-free life.

Evaluation for Treatment

Before you begin an inpatient drug rehab program, you’ll likely go through an evaluation by the staff of the facility. 

They want to consider your medical health as well as your mental health. It’s important for them to have a strong gauge of your health and your needs so they can tailor a program that’s best for you. 

Knowing the goal is to set up a long-term program for you, it’s important to be forthcoming about your overall health and drug use. 

Medical Detoxification

This might be the part of rehab that scares many users the most. You need to go through the detoxification process before you can begin the healing process. 

How you get through the withdrawal process will vary greatly depending on the drugs you’re using and the volume of drugs, too. 

The inpatient medical staff should create an individualized program that will likely include prescription medication to get through the stage of detoxification.

Preparing for Treatment

Once the patient has worked through withdrawal and detox, they are more ready to learn about the best options for treatment. 

It’s at this point, the staff of the drug rehab center should discuss with more depth the treatment program. It’s important for the user to know what to expect as you work through the process. 

They should be able to outline their treatment plan for you so you can be prepared for the process. 

Individualized Therapy

Often one part of the rehab process is therapy. You will likely be a part of the one-on-one therapy process. This means you’re paired with a licensed therapist who will work with you on your issues related to addiction. 

They are going to help you consider what led to your addiction and how to break the cycle. 

For success, the patient must feel safe and secure and know that their therapy is confidential. The therapy can help them to set goals for their recovery and how to avoid the pitfalls of their addiction. 

Group Therapy

Another important part of many treatment programs is group therapy. In this type of therapy, the patient is grouped with others in the recovery process. 

The therapist works with the group, typically with a recovery program. They can address many things in this type of therapy, including:

  • Alcohol and drug education
  • Dietary counseling
  • Family education
  • Coping strategies
  • Goal setting

Group therapy sessions are often important because the group offers support and accountability for each other and a deeper understanding of what the process of getting clean is really like. 

Get the Help You Need in Prescription Drug Rehab

Based on the data showing the misuse of prescription drugs, it’s not surprising the need for prescription drug rehab. Finding a program to work through drug addiction can be life-changing. 

If you’re looking for help for yourself or a loved one, we are here for you. Let’s talk about how we can help you face your drug addiction and work toward recovery.