Drug Rehab for Prescription Painkiller Addiction

Drug Rehab for Prescription Painkiller Addiction One of the fastest growing drug problems in the United States involves prescription painkillers such as OxyContin and Vicodin. These powerful opiates are used by physicians to help individuals cope with pain associated with illness or injury. The Dangers of Prescription Drug Addiction When taken as directed, prescription painkillers pose little or no threat to the health of the individual. However, when these drugs are taken illicitly or abused, the results can be harmful and even deadly. Specifically, abuse of painkillers can lead to addiction, liver disorders, heart disease and overdose. OxyContin represents a particular overdose risk, as individuals tend to snort or sniff the drug, thereby receiving all of the active ingredients at once. This is an intense dosage of opiates which many people cannot handle. Many actually end up overdosing as a result. There are also a number of social problems associated with painkiller addiction as individuals will steal from friends and family in order to support their habit, or may engage in "doctor shopping" - falsifying illnesses to obtain more of the drug. Overcoming the Physical Addiction to Prescription Painkillers through Drug Rehab The first step in drug rehab is detox. Drug detox is the process of overcoming one's physical addiction to drugs by allowing the toxins to leave the bloodstream. Detox from opiate-based prescription painkillers such as Vicodin and OxyContin can be a difficult process. The individual is likely to endure a series of withdrawal symptoms as their body adjusts to life without the drug. These withdrawal symptoms are not life-threatening but may include: • Depression • Anxiety • Strong drug cravings • Mood swings • Sleeplessness • Chills or fever

Withdrawal symptoms during detox generally last for 4-6 days, depending upon the severity of the individual's addiction.

The Challenges of Prescription Painkiller Drug Rehab In addition to overcoming the physical addiction to prescription pain killers, drug rehab forces the individual to confront their psychological connection to drugs. In many cases, the mind is doing such a good job of "fooling" the body into thinking it needs opiates in order to function that the psychological component of addiction is a much higher hurdle to clear. That's why counselors working with those who have a Vicodin addiction or OxyContin addiction place such a strong emphasis on helping the individuals change their behaviors, finding positive activities to replace drug use. There are several hallmark elements of drug rehab counseling, including: • Examining the root causes of the painkiller use. In order to get a person to stop using drugs, it is important to first learn why they started taking them in the first place. • Teaching better decision-making skills. By helping the individual make better decisions, the counselor is lessening the chance that they will relapse once treatment is over. • Teaching more effective methods of coping with stress. Many people turn to opiate-based drugs as a means of escaping the pain they are experiencing their lives. Counseling at drug rehab facilities help the individual cope with stress in a healthier, more positive manner that does not include the use of Vicodin or Heroin.
by Scott Bernberg