Determining the Type of Addiction
Some individuals with prescription drug addiction stick to a particular drug in their addiction. For such people, they will continuously take the medications without mixing them with other drugs or medication. On the other hand, some individuals tend to mix prescription drugs with alcohol or other drugs that are contraindicated at the time of therapy. Through blending, they get unique cocktails that allow them to operate.
Continuous use of the drugs often leads to a shift from recreation use of medications to severe poly-drug addiction. Upon admission into our facilities, our medical specialists will determine the drugs you have been using and their respective doses. The physicians will gather the information through various techniques, including history taking. Besides, the physicians may also order laboratory investigations such as urine tests for certain drugs.
We understand that the inquiry step may appear invasive or pushy. However, the specialists need to understand the drugs you have been abusing to help you choose the most suitable detox program that will be instrumental towards addiction recovery. Note that we tailor the detoxification process to suit every patient’s needs based on the substance of abuse and the severity of the addiction for effective management.
In detoxifying prescription medication, we recommend an inpatient setup because the outpatient program is associated with high chances of relapse. Mental and physical illnesses may cause distress. These are risk factors that could also lead to relapse.
Isolation from friends and family members is also a risk factor for relapse. Some addictions require full-care to overcome. In the inpatient setup, the alcohol and drugs of abuse will be out of reach so that complete focus is on recovery with limited chances of relapse.
Prescription Drug Detox Initial Assessment
After having an accurate picture of the specific drug you have been abusing and the duration of addiction, our professionals may recommend an exam. In the examination, the team aims at determining your feelings and body reactions with the start of the program. Individuals with an opiate addiction may experience withdrawal symptoms such as nausea and little sweating.
On the other hand, sedative and hypnotic addicts may remain normal, having no observable withdrawal symptoms. Our medical experts will periodically carry out the examination, and in the inpatient setup, it could be hourly and daily for those in the outpatient program. In the presence of uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms, the physicians will; prescribe some medications to relieve the symptoms.
Medications Used in Prescription Drug Detox
Not everyone in the detoxification program needs medication to be comfortable. For some addicts, the process of detoxification could be too challenging to complete in the absence of some medicines that help in easing the unpleasant withdrawal symptoms.
In severe addiction like opiates, medication is very crucial for the patient’s comfort. Individuals addicted to oxycodone and a combination of hydrocodone and acetaminophen experience various symptoms. The symptoms include anxiety, cravings, sleep problems, and pain as withdrawal symptoms.
There are prescription drugs without replacement counterparts, and discontinuation of these substances over a short period may lead to severe medical problems. Sedatives and anxiolytics are such medications. It would be best if individuals addicted to prescription drugs taper off the dosages bit by bit. Medically assisted detoxification eases the withdrawal symptoms and helps your body to get rid of any drug-related toxin.
Gradual reduction of the dosages allows the human body to get used to smaller quantities of the substance. For some individuals, tapering may require several years. However, at Design for Change, our medical experts are ready to help you overcome prescription drug addiction by shortening the tapering period.
Relieving Distress During Prescription Drug Detox
The addiction withdrawal symptoms accompanying detoxification could be so distressing to specific individuals. Besides, it is hard to manage and treat mental distress. Addicts may have to handle memories they had while using prescription drugs. In some cases, there are fears that they may not contain the sobriety when detoxification is complete. At our facility, we assist the patients in soothing such fears by enlightening them on the addiction process.
The patients should understand that such feelings are normal and are part of the recovery. Our therapists will assist you in meditating, jogging, reading, and walking to focus on positive things in your lives. It would help if you began practicing such skills because they will help you attain prolonged sobriety.
Detoxification of prescription drugs alone is not enough to assist you in recovering fully from addiction. However, when the process is complete, there won’t be any drug traces in your system. The behaviors and habits that led to the abuse of prescription drugs could still be in place, leading to a relapse.
Hence, for effective recovery from prescription drug addiction, comprehensive care is necessary. Comprehensive care ensures holistic management of prescription drug addiction. It includes group therapies, counseling sessions, and more. It is essential to embrace these programs, and our specialists will enroll the patients in the subsequent sessions after completing the detoxification phase.
Detox Programs at Design for Change
At Design for Change Recovery, Lancaster, California, we offer medically supervised detoxification programs for prescription medication addiction. Besides, we provide intensive follow-up care that ensures that our patients change their thinking and adopt new habits necessary for living a drug-free life.
Apart from handling prescription drug addiction, our specialists also provide care to individuals with mental illness. We understand the role that mental illness plays in prescription drug addiction. Mental health challenges and drug abuse disorder may co-occur, necessitating dual diagnosis and treatment plan.
Our specialists carry out detoxification in a controlled and safe environment. We also provide much-needed psychological care to our patients. Contact us at our Lancaster, CA facility to learn more about our program. We are ready to walk with you in your recovery journey. Reach out to us for the enrollment process.