Prescription Drug Addiction
There are many people who unwittingly become addicted to drugs simply because they have suffered an injury or condition that required medication.
While most doctors do a very good job of keeping track of narcotic pain medications, there are some who are too freely giving out prescriptions. In fact, there are people who never had an injury and have still become addicted to prescription drugs.
For those addicted to pain medication, this is often just a prescription bottle and a glass of water or other liquid.
* Prescription drug addiction progresses much the same as any addiction.
A person can start out doing the drug occasionally and then as the body builds up tolerance, the person needs more and more of the drug. Loved ones begin to notice changes in the addict’s personality and attitude, because they become more and more severe.
The only thing that is important to the addict is getting and having the drug, if they don’t have it is when they become more aggressive, depressed and irritable. Depending on the drug and if they have it on already, chances are they will be serene, content and happy.
Most drug addicts keep a “kit” near their bed so they can have their fix when they first wake up. For those addicted to pain medication, this is often just a prescription bottle and a glass of water or other liquid. Some addictions get so bad that the addict begins taking the medication with alcohol which causes a whole new set of problems. It often doesn’t take much to discover someone who is addicted to prescription medication.
* As with any other addictions, the only way to beat the addiction is to stop the drug.
For most (but not all) this means rehabilitation. Detoxification of the body is usually necessary first but there are many new techniques which make this easier than it used to be. A residential treatment facility is deemed best for many reasons. With a residential program there is support available 24 hours a day. The addict is also not tempted by old faces and places which may lead them back into drug use.
