Prescription Drug Rehab

Among all the different types of addictions people suffer from in the UK, the one that is overlooked the most is the addiction to prescription drugs. It is a problem that does not discriminate – an addiction that can strike just about anyone, anywhere in the UK.

The disconcerting thing about prescription drug addiction is the fact that so many legally prescribed medications can easily lead to addiction. From painkillers to sleeping pills, almost every UK household has at least one potentially addictive substance sitting in the medicine cabinet.

The increased use of legally prescribed prescription drugs over the years has led to an increase in addiction. Prescription drug rehab programmes are admitting more and more patients every year, with no end in sight. If you find yourself addicted to prescription drugs, you need to take action right now.

The Addiction Process

The process of becoming addicted to prescription drugs is similar to illicit drug addiction in some ways, yet remarkably different in others. The biggest difference comes by way of how the addiction begins. Where illicit drugs are concerned, there is never a valid reason for taking the first hit. However, prescription drug addiction begins when an individual takes a medication legally prescribed by a doctor.

Prescription drugs can create two types of addictions, otherwise known as ‘dependencies’:

• Psychological Dependence – Many prescription drugs, especially painkillers, can create feelings of euphoria when used. These euphoric feelings can result in a psychological dependence in which the addict craves those feelings. The addict often feels like he or she cannot cope with life without their drugs.

• Physical Dependence – Prescription drugs capable of creating addiction do so by initiating chemical and physical changes within the body. The drug user will experience definite withdrawal symptoms if he/she does not continue using the drug. This is known as physical dependence.

Potentially addictive prescription drugs come with very strong warning labels. Any individual using these types of drugs should heed the warnings and follow instructions to the letter. Failing to do so could be your ticket to addiction.

Breaking the Addiction

Prescription drug rehab programmes exist to help drug users break their addictions. The good news is that any addiction can be conquered. All it takes is a willingness to seek treatment and a determination to follow through. Here’s how the process works:

• Identification – Addictions to illicit drugs are easily recognised by the average person who knows what to look for. However, an addiction to prescription drugs might be more difficult to identify. Therefore, the first step in breaking a prescription drug addiction is to identify it. That can be accomplished by learning the signs and symptoms of addiction.

• Stabilisation – Because prescription drugs are being used for a medically legitimate purpose, it is not always wise to apply a detox strategy based on the cold turkey method. Prescription drug abusers need to be stabilised in order to treat their addictions without otherwise compromising their health. Whatever condition resulted in the original prescription must be handled appropriately.

• Rehab – Once the addiction has been identified and stabilised, the rehab process can begin. Rehab consists of a period of detox followed by weeks or months of counselling, support, and skills training. Depending on the severity of the addiction and the drug used, rehab could be as short as a few weeks and as long as 4 to 6 months.

Private Rehab

Addicts from all walks of life can choose between private rehab programmes and public services. We usually recommend private rehab as the best option if the client can afford it. Why? Because private rehab programmes tend to have higher success rates than public services.

Private prescription drug rehab offers addicts a residential treatment programme that completely isolates them from their circumstance and deals with their addictions 24 hours a day, every day. This concentrated approach prevents the addict from being distracted by other things that could lead him or her to relapse. The combination of separation and a 12-step recovery programme has proven successful for millions of addicts around the world.

When a client truly cannot afford private rehab, there still is help available through the NHS, drug rehab charities, and professional counselling services. We recommend these public programmes if, and when, they are appropriate for an individual client.

We want to be clear that public services are helpful to the extent they can be. Nevertheless, they are limited in what they can accomplish. Public services include things like:

• Outpatient Programmes – The typical outpatient programme involves the addict visiting a facility several times a week. While there, he/she may undergo one-on-one or group counselling, followed by participation in a group support meeting.

• Independent Support Groups – There are a number of independent support groups across the UK offering addicts the opportunity to be part of a group for mutual accountability and encouragement. These support groups typically welcome anyone with an addiction who wants to join.

• Counselling Services – The NHS does offer limited counselling services to drug addicts. Counselling can be offered both individually and in a group setting.

Choosing the Right Option

Prescription drug addicts have plenty of options to choose from when seeking treatment. So many in fact, that making the right choice is often a very difficult task. It requires knowing what is out there in relation to the unique circumstances of the individual addiction. As an independent referral service, we exist to help make the choice easier.

Our main task is to assist drug addicts and their families in accessing appropriate help and treatment options. We do this mainly by researching and maintaining information on private clinics and public programmes both domestically and abroad. When a client contacts us, we walk him or her through their treatment options before recommending a course of action.

If you need help choosing the right option for you, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us. All of our services are confidential and free. Furthermore, our staff are fully trained and more than competent to answer your questions about treatment options. Whatever we can do to help is what we are willing to do.