Prescription Drug Detox in Illinois

In the U.S., more than 130 million people take prescription drugs. Over 16 million people misuse their medications, with almost 10 million abusing prescription opioids. Once a person develops a prescription drug addiction, they often need prescription drug detox to manage withdrawal symptoms and begin their recovery journey.

What is Prescription Pill Addiction?

While prescription drugs are vital to our healthcare industry, they are easily and often misused. Prescription drugs have a purpose and, when used correctly, can be beneficial. However, all drugs, including prescription drugs, change how the brain works.

The changes in the brain can affect decision-making, judgment, and self-control. Besides addiction, prescription drug misuse can lead to serious health problems and overdose. The more prescription drugs a person takes, the more they crave. Prescription drug detox centers are dedicated to easing a person’s withdrawal symptoms.

How Do People Become Addicted to Prescription Drugs?

Any person taking prescription opioids is at risk of addiction. Pain relievers such as opioids often create euphoria or a sense of heightened well-being. This feeling leads people to continue taking prescription drugs.

These euphoric feelings start to diminish the more a person continues to use prescription drugs. To achieve the same effects, a person must take prescription drugs more frequently or at higher doses. People may also start feeling withdrawal symptoms when they don’t take their drugs.

Taking prescription drugs like opioids regularly increases the risk of addiction. Whether or not a person develops an addiction varies, but it typically takes less than a few weeks. While taking prescription drugs for a day or two is generally safe, studies show just one dose can cause psychological changes in people vulnerable to addiction.

How Does the Detox Process Work?

When a person decides to enter a detox center, they need a facility specializing in prescription drug detox. Our detox program in Illinois starts with a complete evaluation by our medical team. This evaluation ensures people have the medications needed to minimize withdrawal symptoms and keep them comfortable.

While prescription drug detox helps rid the body of toxins, it is not a cure for addiction. Long-term recovery requires psychotherapy, group therapy, and a variety of behavioral therapies. Substance use disorder treatment programs address mental health issues and provide the tools and skills to manage triggers and prevent relapse.

Why is Prescription Drug Abuse Dangerous?

People who abuse prescription drugs are typically unaware of the long-term consequences. For example, a person may take a low dose of prescribed Oxycontin at night for pain. Over time, they start increasing their dose and are now taking it multiple times a day.

Eventually, a person becomes dependent on these drugs. Once dependence develops, a person who tries to lower their dose or stop using prescription drugs experiences withdrawal symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and tremors.

People with severe prescription drug addiction who try to stop often experience a crash or extreme withdrawal. They may feel irritable, anxious, and depressed. Without the help of a prescription drug detox center, a person’s mental health issues can worsen. They may also develop liver damage, kidney failure, a stroke, seizure, or coma. Medical detox also minimizes the risk of death when detoxing from prescription drugs.

What Makes Prescription Drug Detox Necessary?

An addiction to prescription drugs can be extremely hard to break. This is why seeking help at a prescription drug detox center is crucial. Detox is usually the first step in recovery. The detox process helps rid the body of toxins and varies depending on the type and severity of addiction.

Withdrawal symptoms from prescription drugs also vary depending on the substance and the individual. But common withdrawal symptoms include sweating, chills, headache, and body aches. Going through withdrawal from drugs also impacts a person mentally and can produce intense cravings.

FDA-approved medications are often used in prescription drug detox to manage withdrawal symptoms. However, some of these medications can be addictive. It is vital that the use of these drugs be monitored closely.

Prescription Drug Detox and the Importance of Support

When a person tries to detox from prescription drugs without professional help, it typically results in relapse. At a prescription drug detox center, people receive medical care to ease withdrawal symptoms and psychotherapy or individual therapy to manage the mental symptoms of withdrawal.

Psychological withdrawal symptoms during prescription drug detox can be severe and life-threatening if not treated. Some of these symptoms include severe depression, suicidal thoughts, and ideations.

What are the Signs of Prescription Drug Addiction?

The signs and symptoms of prescription drug addiction vary depending on the substance being abused, the frequency of abuse, the length of addiction, and other drug abuse. But, there are common signs of prescription drug addiction to look for.

Common signs of prescription drug abuse include:

• Making poor decisions
• Taking higher doses than prescribed
• Changes in sleeping patterns
• Hostility
• Appears intoxicated, overly energetic, or lethargic
• Mood swings depending on the availability of prescription drugs
• Irritability
• Doctor shopping
• Borrowing medications from others
• Crushing or breaking pills
• Lying about the amount of medication taken
• Stealing prescription drugs
• Cravings

Different Types of Prescription Drugs Abused

More than six out of 10 overdose deaths are due to opioids. However, opioids are not the only prescription drugs being abused. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, the following prescription drugs are also commonly abused:

• Opioids – prescribed to treat pain
• Central Nervous System (CNS) Depressants – treat anxiety and sleep disorders
• Stimulants – most commonly treat ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder)

Commonly Abused Opioids and Signs of Abuse

Although prescription opioids are crucial to treating chronic pain, they are one of the most abused drugs in America. If you or a family member are prescribed any of the following opioids, it is important to watch for signs of abuse.

• Fentanyl (Duragesic)
• Hydrocodone (Vicodin)
• Oxycodone (OxyContin)
• Oxymorphone (Darvon)
• Hydromorphone (Dilaudid)
• Meperidine (Demerol)
• Diphenoxylate (Lomotil)
• Morphine Sulfate

Common signs of prescription opioid abuse include:

• Depression
• Confusion
• Excessive sweating
• Constipation
• Hypotension
• Decreased respiratory rate
• Impaired coordination
• Impaired judgment
• Increased risk-taking behaviors

CNS Depressants Commonly Abused and the Signs

Central nervous system depressants slow brain activity, which is helpful in treating anxiety, panic, and sleep disorders. Abusing these prescription drugs can be life-threatening and even fatal. Common CNS depressants include:

• Pentobarbital sodium (Nembutal)
• Diazepam (Valium)
• Alprazolam (Xanax)
• Zolpidem Tartrate (Ambien)
• Sertraline (Zoloft)

Common signs of CNS depressant abuse include:

• Drowsiness and excessive sleepiness
• Unsteady gait
• Rapid eye movements
• Dizziness
• Confusion
• Appears intoxicated
• Involuntary movements or tics
• Memory issues
• Poor judgment
• Lowered inhibitions

Commonly Misused Prescription Stimulants and Signs of Abuse

Prescription stimulants are beneficial for treating attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. However, one-fifth of college students abuse stimulants for academic reasons. Unfortunately, young adults think prescription drugs are less dangerous than illicit drugs like heroin. This can lead to addiction and severe health risks.

Facts About Prescription Drug Abuse

Prescription drugs are highly beneficial, but when misused or taken without a prescription, they can be addictive, dangerous, and deadly. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, most people are unaware of the dangers of sharing their medications.

Prescription drug abuse is on the rise because more drugs are available, doctors are writing more scripts, and the internet makes it easy to obtain these prescription drugs. Furthermore, teens are stealing medications from their parents and grandparents.

Prescription Drug Abuse Statistics in the United States

• Around 16 million Americans abuse prescription drugs
• Over 1600 teens begin abusing prescription drugs every day
• People believe prescription drugs are safer than illicit or “street” drugs
• Approximately 1 in 4 teens report misusing prescription drugs
• Over 43 percent of first-time drug abusers use opioids, and 32 percent use sedatives or depressants

Prescription Drug Detox and Continuing Treatment

Inpatient prescription drug addiction treatment is different for everyone and requires personalized treatment plans for recovery. However, prescription drug detox is typically the first step in the recovery journey. Once a person completes detox, usually a week, they enter into inpatient or outpatient treatment.

Prescription drug detox is not a cure for addiction. People who do not continue into a treatment program are at an increased risk of relapse. Finding a comprehensive addiction treatment facility offers the best chance at lasting recovery.

Get Help Today at Northern Illinois Recovery

If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction, it is time to seek help. Our caring and compassionate therapists, doctors, and coordinators walk beside you through your recovery journey. Contact us today and start your journey to a new life.