There are many different types of drugs and each one of them carries a different risk of addiction. Unfortunately for many people, this includes prescription pills. Just because a substance is prescribed as medication to treat a particular issue does not mean that it does not hold the potential to become addictive.
At Ocean Coast Recovery we know how difficult the struggle to deal with addiction can be. That is why it is important to understand how prescription pills affect the body and can become addicted so that it is possible to get the right kind of treatment to get on the path to sobriety and stay there for the long term.
What Are Prescription Pills?
It’s important to understand how prescription pills differ from other drugs and are addictive. Prescription pills are medications that a doctor prescribes to help with an ailment or issue, but they can also be addictive.
Some of the most common prescription drugs abused are opioids like OxyContin which is prescribed for dealing with chronic pain. The problem many people find with prescription pill addiction is that it’s not just limited to someone who has physical pains-many individuals begin taking medication as a form of coping and end up addicted because their body becomes dependent on them so quickly.
The reason prescription pills like opioids are so addictive is due to the way that they interact with the body and the effects they produce.
Opioids in particular are addictive because they attach to the opioid receptors of the central nervous system and over time they alter their chemistry so that the body becomes dependent on opioids in order to function normally.
Other prescription drugs have similar effects and can be addictive in the same fashion by altering a portion of the body to the point that it becomes dependent. Dependency ultimately leads to addiction and once a person becomes addicted, they may resort to new ways of using the drugs and even illicit means of attaining them.
Signs Of A Prescription Pill Addictio
It’s important to remember when you’re looking at signs of prescription pill addiction, there will be some things different than those in other types of addictions like alcohol or heroin. This type might have withdrawal symptoms which can occur as quickly as a week after the prescription has been stopped.
Some common symptoms may include:
- The person might start to feel anxious and irritable during this time, or they might have headaches, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea. They may also experience muscle pain and cramps while feeling overly tired throughout the day.
- Heart rates will rise which leads most people who are dependent on prescription pills to become depressed because of how it affects their body’s ability to function normally.
- Depression and similar symptoms can arise as a result of the physical side effects of withdrawal and in many cases the effects can be life threatening.
How to Get Help With a Prescription Pill Addiction
If you or someone you know is struggling with a prescription pill addiction, contact Ocean Coast Recovery for the help you need to get sober. Our treatment center in Huntington Beach California is here to provide you with the calm and tranquil atmosphere you need with caring expert staff dedicated to your recovery.
We offer inpatient treatment that is individualized to each client so that each case has the highest possible odds of success. Once treatment has concluded our aftercare services are there to provide the long term support you need to go back to a life without prescription pills and to remain sober for the long term.
Even though prescription pills are highly addictive, that doesn’t mean you have to fight addiction alone, Ocean Coast Recovery is here for you today.
