Prescription Drug Abuse

Prescription drug abuse and addiction is one of the fastest growing forms of addiction in the world. Statistics show more and more drug rehab treatment admissions for prescription drugs as their primary substance of abuse, while the numbers reporting prescription drug abuse along with their primary drug of abuse is reaching epidemic proportions. This is a wide category covering painkillers, anti-depressants, and many of the numerous ‘medications’ being prescribed to handle emotional and physical pain. The black market for these substances is huge and these are available on many street corners and campuses. The side effects of these substances, even after cessation of use can be almost intolerable and contributes to escalating rates of violence and suicide, especially among our young.

Addictions can be classified by a condition of repeated and compulsive seeking and use of drugs, alcohol, or other similar substances despite adverse social, mental, and physical consequences. Addictions is probably a more correct use of the term addiction as most individuals entering addiction treatment generally have more than one substance of abuse, beyond their primary one. The strength, potency, and wide types of drugs and substances on the scene today make these addictions the plague of the modern world. There are only three possible outcomes for these addictions; jail, death, or sobriety, ultimately the addict must choose.

Prescription drug addiction generally occurs with those medications which suppress pain of a physical or emotional nature. Painkillers suppress physical pain and many are taken at levels exceeding recommended dosages and tolerance builds up fast, abuse then continues in an attempt to handle the pain, or just out of fear of future pain. Medications such as anti-depressants are designed to suppress various forms of mental stress or duress. Abuse of these is similar to painkillers in that dosages are exceeded and tolerance builds leading to more and more of the drug needed in an attempt to maintain emotional balance. Prescription drug addiction in both these cases results from trying to mask the symptoms rather than treating and resolving the underlying causes of the physical or emotional pain.

When dealing with addiction treatment it is important to understand exactly what is meant by ‘treatment’. The Encarta dictionary defines treatment as; ‘Way of handling somebody or something – the particular way somebody or something is dealt with or handled’. When it comes to addiction treatment there are many different modalities or methodologies surrounding various forms of treatment. This can all be very confusing to loved ones under stress looking for effective solutions to addiction. Narconon Arrowhead is a long term and non-traditional form of addressing the problem. We deal with not only handling the cravings that come with addiction but also address the life skills needed to confront and handle the guilt and depression that so often accompanies addiction. The goal is a drug free and productive life free from the many traps that addiction presents, and not just cessation of drug use alone.

Attempting to detoxify self from Morphine can be extremely dangerous. Morphine addiction withdrawal can cause physical and emotional trauma including stroke, heart attack, and even death. To ease the pain from withdrawal from Morphine addiction Methadone is often used. The substitute use of methadone typically results in an addiction to methadone, and continued Morphine use with out detoxification from either substance. Inpatient withdrawal without the use of additional drugs or medications offers the most workable scenario for beating a morphine addiction and allowing for a drug free lifestyle with out the dangers and side effects of continual substitute drug use.