Are you addicted to drugs prescribed by your doctor and cannot do with it? Well, long-term chronic medications have many disadvantages and can lead to drug dependency. This is especially seen in cases of mental illness and physical illness. Being addicted from painkillers to anti-depressants can cause a state of dependency on the drugs. In the long term, withdrawing these drugs can lead to aggravating problems because your body is used to them. 

Prescription drug abuse can alter your brain

Prescription drug abuse can change the way your brain works. This is the more severe form of addiction. Long-term conventional medication is not good for health. There are various drugs such as stimulants, opioids, Central nervous depressants, or sleeping pills that can lead to prescription drug abuse. Many people who take prescription drug medicines don’t intend to get addicted. However, they can fall prey to addiction leading to dependence if not taken care of at the initial stage. Overdose-related deaths are very common due to prescription-related drugs. 

How do you get addicted to prescribed drugs?

Seeking treatment if you’re addicted to prescribed drugs is the best solution. Prescription drug abuse can be very devastating and have a negative impact on health. It can affect your personal and professional life. Individuals who are addicted to drugs have a lot of problems like drug overdose, destructive behavior and are at high risk of mental health problems. Prescription drugs are designed to help people and patients across the globe but unfortunately, it is a tool that has led to drug abuse and destruction of lives. It is a growing problem among adults and young people. Storing Over the Counter (OTC) medicines and prescription drugs in your cabinets has become a trend and is on the high rise. It is very crucial to note the people who become addicted to prescribed drugs and know their reactions to prevent Prescription Drug abuse

Teens and addiction to prescribed drugs: check your cabinet of medicines

Teen have access to medicines online and also their parent’s medicine cabinets. Using drugs unknowingly can cause serious detrimental effects. Once the doctor prescribes a medicine for pain or a simple cough or cold, it is always seen in the medicine cabinet. The situation gets worse when the same medicines are taken without consulting a doctor for multiple episodes of pain, cough, or cold. The bottle just gets replaced in the medicine cabinet by the individuals. Consuming medicines in this fashion can cause detrimental effects on the body. One should take care of the kids and teens who indulge in self-medication. Understanding the importance of pain or an episode of fever means there is some underlying cause that needs to be treated. Popping a painkiller every day and not finding the cause can affect your gastric system, your kidney, and your brain health. Many people get scared to consult the doctor and start living with the prescribed drugs. This situation needs attention and must be rectified at the earliest. 

Dual diagnosis and addiction to prescribed drugs

Individuals who have dual diagnoses like mental illness or psychiatric disorder with addiction to drugs need special attention. Some of the drugs prescribed to relieve withdrawal symptoms of alcohol or drug addiction may have a high potential of being addicted to prescribed drugs. If you know someone who is using prescription drugs without a doctor’s consultation, you must immediately inform them that they are wrong and it needs early intervention. Comprehensive care with specialized treatments is needed in case of dual diagnosis. Continuing to be under the influence of alcohol and drug addiction along with prescribed drugs can take a toll on mental health. A proper systematic treatment with drug detox and counseling is very important to treat the case of dual diagnosis. 

Dual diagnosis care

Patients suffering from hypertension or blood pressure medicines need to take medicines all their life. Not to forget, that they should consult their doctors for every 3-month check-up to ensure that the Blood Pressure stays normal and the medicines are taken incorrect dosage. The tendency to drink alcohol, smoke or take drugs along with blood pressure medicines can have toxic effects on the brain. As age advances, the brain loses its mental capacity to think and memory power. So such a dual diagnosis needs special attention and should be brought to light by your family members. 

Complications of Prescription Drug Abuse

Legal problems 

Financial problems 

Divorce 

Relationships difficulty 

Accidental injuries 

Chemical dependence 

Suicide attempts 

Overdose 

Death

Addiction to prescribed drugs can be taken care of at the Drug rehab center

When to switch to a rehab center

  • If you are having a dual diagnosis where you are suffering from mental illness and co – co-occurring problems of addiction, the best solution is to go to a rehab center.
  • If you are addicted to prescribed drugs for mental illness or painkillers, a rehab center will definitely be of great help. 
  • Withdrawal symptoms due to addiction if prescribed drugs can also be taken care of at rehab centers.
  • Long-term addiction to anti-psychotic pills can be slowly tapered down under the care of the rehab center over a period of 90 days.  
  • Long-term prescribed medications may leave you sleepy and tired all the time. Energize and revitalize your life at a rehab center which can certainly be of great value. 

Thinking to switch to natural therapy and counseling sessions at the best drug rehab center can be a great idea to overcome the addiction to prescribed drugs