Prescription Drug Addictions Are On The Rise

Prescription drug abuse has become a major health concern in America during the past few years. More and more people are falling victim to these deadly drugs. One of the most addictive prescription drugs available is called Vicodin. Vicodin addiction affects millions of people every year and takes a very serious toll on the people who abuse it. If you or someone you know has developed an addiction to Vicodin, it may be necessary for them to undergo a Vicodin detox to get all of the harmful toxins out of their bodies. Once they successfully complete a detox, they will be ready to enter into a rehabilitation facility.

Problem

Vicodin is a very serious drug that hooks millions of users each year. It is comprised of a combination of hydrocodone and acetaminophen. Hydrocodone is an opioid that is used primarily as a pain killer. Opioids are some of the most addictive substances known to man. Acetaminophen is a slightly less powerful pain reliever, however, when it is combined with hydrocodone, it can have very powerful side effects.

Health Effects

There are many side effects that result from taking Vicodin. The most common effects include, upset stomach, nausea, altered mental status which includes light headedness as well as dizziness. Other more severe side effects include allergic reactions, clammy skin, seizures, paranoia, hallucinations, as well as severe weakness, unconsciousness, jaundice, fatigue, bleeding, bruising, stomach back, and the list continues. Because Vicodin has a depressant effect on the central nervous system it may cause irritability as well. Long term use of Vicodin as well as abuse can severely damage the liver. The damage to the liver can even lead to an eventual need for a liver transplant to avoid death.

Addiction

When an individual uses Vicodin for a long period of time it can eventually lead to an addiction. Because it is strong acting pain reliever and can create a sense of euphoria, it does become a desired high. However, once a chemical dependency is formed, it becomes harder and harder to eventually wean off of Vicodin. This is how people develop addictions and why they are so difficult to overcome.

Symptoms Of Withdrawal

Symptoms of withdrawal can be very serious and can include abdominal pain, diarrhea, dilated pupils, nausea and vomiting. Detoxing from Vicodin should be done under medical supervision. This is due to some dangerous complications. One complication may be aspiration due to the inhaling of stomach contents after vomiting, intense vomiting and diarrhea can also cause dehydration. The biggest risk associated with detox is when someone decides to take the pain reliever again. Once the body has detoxed from the drug, the drug cannot be ingested at original doses, because the body can no longer handle it. This leads to overdose and may even lead to death. This is why it's so important to seek medically supervised detox treatment.

If you know someone who is struggling with a Vicodin addiction, you should implore them to seek medical intervention as soon as possible. If an addiction to Vicodin goes on too long it could be lethal. The person may need to go through a Vicodin detox in order to get all of the toxins out of their bodies. This kind of detox should only take place under the watch of medical professionals that can administer medication during the painful detox process.

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Prescription Addiction Can Be a Problem for Troubled Teens

Xanax addiction is a subject that's near and dear to my heart. Alprazolam, which is the chemical name for Xanax (which is the brand name of the drug produced by Pfizer), is a prescription I've had off-and-on for years. It's a sedative from the benzodiazapene class of drugs, that is often prescribed to treat panic attacks.

And I've suffered some panic attacks in my day. Ironically, it's because I've abused alcohol regularly, and alcohol depletes your body's stores of vitamin B. Vitamin B is, of course, a mood stabilizer. Remove it from your body, and suddenly the walls start closing in and everything is going wrong. And that's where the xanax addiction comes in.

You see, xanax cures what's ailing you. Take half a milligram (a relatively low dose) and suddenly you won't be paralyzed with fear or depression. You might not be singing and dancing, but you'll be in control of yourself enough to put your anxieties aside and get on with your work.

Take a full milligram and you'll be completely chillface. Take more than that, and you'll either be asleep or you'll have yourself a full blown xanax addiction.

You see, sedatives work by calming you. They make it so that you'll be able to completely relax and face whatever is troubling you. A xanax addiction means that you can't do that without the help of the drug. You don't want to get to that point, but unfortunately, many people are already there.

My current prescription, for example, is to take a two milligram "bar" (called "zany bars" among the cool kids) three times a day. Which is absolutely ridiculous. No one could take that much xanax in a day and not become a complete zombie. Plus, I don't think anyone could take that much xanax or other benzodiazapene drugs (valium and klonopin being two that come to mind) without developing a xanax addiction.

Instead, I'll take a bar and break it into quarters. If I'm feeling wired before bedtime, I'll take half a milligram to help me relax when my head hits the pillow. If I'm feeling something beyond wired - depressed, anxious, whatever - I'll take a whole milligram. Only when I'm feeling a full-blown panic attack will I take a full two milligrams, and most nights I'll take nothing at all.

So beware of a xanax addiction. It's a wonderful drug, but just like everything else, it needs to be used in moderation.

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Residential Prescription Drug Rehab Centers

Considering the idea of going to a residential prescription drug rehab center can be a hard choice for many people. It can also be confusing for some individuals, since there are often a number of different programs, facilities and methods to choose from these days. Even so, many find that this type of approach can be the ideal way to get back on track again, so that they're better able to fight their addiction in general.

A Hard Fight

People commonly have a hard time fighting their addiction, regardless of what it might be. However, those who suffer from an addiction regarding medically prescribed products often have a more difficult time in most cases. Sometimes, this is due to the easy access they have, for the most part, and because it is technically legal.

Easier Access

Oftentimes, the difficulty that people have when it comes to working on their addiction with prescription-based medication, along with it being so legally accessible, is the fact there are fewer things to stop them. Granted, the person prescribing such medications may often limit their patient on how often they can get a new one but it's not always possible for professionals to recognize when a situation may be headed in the wrong direction for someone. In the end, it's up to the individual, their willingness to accept their addiction, as well their ability to fight against it.

A Good Fit

Although there are several types of programs available, it's important to make sure that you choose something you can feel comfortable with. If you don't feel comfortable or pleased with the approach that you choose to use then you may not have the ideal results. Either way, many find that there are flexible options, depending on what one might prefer in general.

Choose A Center

Despite the different programs you can decide on, many people have found that treatment centers can generally provide the most success, depending on one's circumstances. These centers tend to vary in nature when in regards to the type of treatment that they provide. Most, however, tend to focus between group and individual care, so it's key to choose what may be more appealing to you.

Different Approaches

Even though some programs may focus on certain beliefs and religion, many centers use a psychological approach. This is usually something that is based on cognitive behavior. Cognitive behavioral therapy can be ideal for those who not only want to work toward their recovery, but also to be able to survive the temptation that can be involved when in regards to everyday life.

The Right Tools

Many individuals find that they can gain the most success when they're able to gain the right tools to be able to do so on their own. This generally involves being able to dig deep into their own mindset so they're able to assess their life, choices, and behavior more effectively. This is because many addictions tend to be based around such factors.

Since one prescription drug rehab may vary from another, it's important to do your research before deciding on one. This is because it's important to find one that will suit your needs and personality so you're able to find use and comfort with that particular environment,especially when going through drug detox. Some may provide a strict or structured environment for those who feel they need it while others may offer male or female-only living situations, which some people may prefer as well.

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Facts About Prescription Drug Addiction

1) Oxycontin is a prescription painkiller first introduced to the market in 1995. Within just a couple of years since it first came out, it spread like wildfire and gained a reputation for being highly addictive and even deadly.

2) The drug's reported side effects include shallow breathing, slowed heartbeat, muscle weakness, dizziness, and cold, clammy skin. Some patients taking oxycontin may also experience sweating, itchy, constipation, and nausea.

3) The majority of Oxycontin-related deaths have come from individuals ingesting Oxycontin with other central nervous system suppressants like alcohol or benzodiazepines.

4) Oxycontin is designed to have a controlled release, but people who abuse it will either chew or crush the tablets, then snort them for a quick high. Users can also inject the drug intravenously with a syringe.

5) People who inject oxycodone or any other drug intravenously are at high risk for contracting Hepatitis and HIV because of sharing needles.

6) Approximately 1 million U.S. residents 12 years old and up have used Oxycontin at least once in their lifetime for non-medicinal purposes

7) People who frequently use the drug and abuse it will develop a tolerance to it, meaning they will have to consume larger quantities to get the same high as before. This is one of the tell-tale signs of dependence.

8) People that develop an addiction to Oxycontin will go around and partake in "doctor shopping," meaning they'll visit multiple doctors for the same prescription. Many of these doctors knowingly enable their patients to get ahold of these drugs without helping them.

9) In the last few years, several Florida laws have been passed designed to curtail prescription drug abuse, including busting doctors operating "pill mills," limiting the number of prescriptions that doctors can write for the drug, and limiting the number of prescriptions pharmacies can fill.

10) Chronic use of opiates like Oxycodone can interfere with the body's ability to produce hormones such as testosterone and estrogen.

11) People who are attempting to detox from opiates like Oxycodone often have to seek medical detox treatment because the physical effects of drug withdrawal can be very difficult to deal with. They can also be dangerous. If you are attempting to detox from opiates, especially substances like morphine, you should contact a medical doctor who specializes in treating addiction.

12) Think those using prescription drugs are purchasing drugs out on street corners? Think again. In a recent survey of people age 12 and older who reported using painkillers for non-medicinal purposes, the most common way of obtaining Oxycontin or Oxycodone was through a friend or relative for free.

Do you or does a loved one need Tampa Prescription Drug Abuse treatment? True Path Recovery offers Tampa Residential Drug Treatment and an outpatient treatment program.

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