Whether it is to fight off an infection or alleviate a mental health disorder, individuals across the globe are prescribed prescription drugs by medical professionals at some point in their life.

Although perceived to be helpful and somewhat harmless, addictions can sadly arise from excessive consumption of prescription drugs.

According to NHS England, 1 in 4 people in England currently take prescription drugs on a daily basis. NHS England has further noted that at least 50% of individuals currently taking prescription drugs are believed to have been taking them for a minimum of twelve months.

Regrettably, the longer prescription drugs are prescribed, the greater the chance that an individual will develop a prescription drug addiction.

If you are concerned that you may have a prescription drug addiction, securing treatment from a drug or alcohol rehab is paramount.

Here at Ocean Recovery, we can provide you with the treatment that you need in a tranquil and homely environment.  If you are suffering in silence, please contact us today.

Failure to do so will see your addiction have adverse consequences on your physical and psychological health.

What Are The Various Types Of Prescription Drugs?

Whether you are suffering from chronic pain, fighting an infection or struggling with your mental health, there are a wealth of prescription drugs readily available to help you.

Many prescription drugs will be provided by your local GP, while some may be prescribed by other medical professionals such as psychiatrists.

In England, the most commonly prescribed prescription drugs include Antidepressants, Opioids, Gabapentinoids and Benzodiazepines.

Research determines that in England alone, 7.3 million people take Antidepressants, 5.6 million people take Opioids, 1.5 million people are prescribed Gabapentinoids and 1.4 million people have been prescribed Benzodiazepines.

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94 Queen's Promenade, Blackpool, FY2 9NS, Blackpool, FY2 9NS

Landline: 01253 847 553

Email: info@oceanrecoverycentre.com

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Dangers of Prescription Drugs addiction

Dangers surrounding prescription drug addiction are similar to those of most other addiction. There are physical dangers where they could have an irreversible effect on important body organs such as the liver and the heart along with psychological effects with how certain drugs interact with the day-to-day operation of the human brain. This could lead to further issues such as paranoia and schizophrenia.

The struggle with prescription drug addiction is that some individuals think these are safe due to the fact they have been prescribed by a doctor. However, despite this, these drugs are still very dangerous and should only be consumed as advised by a professional.

 

What Are The Signs and Symptoms Associated With Prescription Drug Addiction?

If you are attempting to determine whether you have developed a prescription drug addiction, it is worth considering the signs and symptoms that you experience.

If prescription drug addiction is present, you will encounter various physical, psychological and behavioural side effects.  These signs and symptoms will likely include the following;

  • Feeling sick
  • Drowsiness
  • Confusion
  • Decreased coordination levels
  • Slurred speech
  • Dizziness
  • Memory problems
  • Changes in your appetite
  • Feeling somewhat irritable and agitated
  • Insomnia
  • Irregular heartbeat
  • Paranoia
  • Increased levels of anxiety
  • Becoming increasingly secretive
  • Isolating yourself from others

If prescription drug addiction is present, you will also likely experience withdrawal symptoms when you stop taking the drug that has been prescribed to you.

Sadly, withdrawal symptoms can cause you to suffer from insomnia, nausea, persistent headaches and pessimistic thoughts and feelings.

Without professional support, withdrawing from prescription drugs such as antidepressants could also see you feeling suicidal.

How Do Prescription Drug Addictions Arise?

When considering prescription drug addictions, several causes lead to the development of prescription drug addiction.

As touched on above, many of the individuals that take prescription drugs such as antidepressants and opioids will often take them for an extended period.

Although prescription drugs will help relieve chronic pain and mental health disorders such as depression and anxiety, taking any substance for an extended period of time will see an individual more prone to developing an addiction.

This is because they will eventually become dependent on the drug, and they will believe that without the prescribed medication, they will be unable to cope.

Secondly, although some prescription drugs remain highly effective over a prolonged period of time, there may well come a point when the individual taking the prescription drug is no longer able to feel the effects that the drug has.  In turn, they are likely to consume a larger dose of medicine.

This again sees an individual gradually become dependent on prescription drugs.

Furthermore, many of the prescription drugs that are prescribed are often stimulants.  Sadly, stimulants can lead to prescription drug addictions due to the euphoria that an individual will feel when prescription drugs are consumed.

For example, when a mental health condition is present, prescription drugs such as antidepressants will work to enhance an individual’s mood.

When the side effects of the drugs wear off, the feeling of euphoria will be craved.  This will regrettably see an individual increase their prescription drug consumption and struggle to cope without it.

Prescription Drug Addiction Support

If you find yourself in the unfortunate position that requires you to seek support for prescription drug addiction, you may be unsure of where to start.

You are likely to be unaware of the treatment that is available to you.  You may even be under the impression that there is no support available at all.

However, at Ocean Recovery, we can provide you with prescription drug addiction treatment.

Through the employment of our prescription drug addiction treatment programmes, you will withdraw from the drug that you have become addicted to in a safe environment.  You will be surrounded by medical professionals and recovery specialists that will provide you with around the clock care.

As you withdraw from the drug that you have become addicted to, you will be introduced to a wealth of therapies.

Although the thought of therapy may seem somewhat daunting, our psychological and well-being therapies will help you address the cause of your prescription drug addiction and will also further help you understand how your addiction has impaired your health.

In doing, you will have the ability to devise coping strategies that will help you to manage any triggers in the future.

As you complete treatment at our rehab centre, we will ensure that you are provided with 12-months of free aftercare support.  This aftercare support will see you attend weekly group therapy sessions in order to address and express any concerns or worries you have.

Contact Ocean Recovery Today for Prescription Drug Addiction Support

If you find yourself battling prescription drug addiction, seeking support from a suitable drug and alcohol rehab is vital.

At Ocean Recovery, we are hand on to provide you with prescription drug addiction support and treatment.

Contact Us

94 Queen's Promenade, Blackpool, FY2 9NS, Blackpool, FY2 9NS

Landline: 01253 847 553

Email: info@oceanrecoverycentre.com

Start your Recovery - Call us now

 

John Gillen - Director at Ocean Recovery

John Gillen - Author - Last updated: March 17, 2022

John is one UK’s leading professionals in the addiction recovery industry. Pioneering new treatment techniques such as NAD+ and ongoing research into new therapy techniques such as systematic laser therapy, John is committed to providing the very best treatment for people throughout the UK and Europe. During his extremely busy schedule, John likes to regularly update our blog section with the latest news and trends in the industry to keep visitors to our site as well informed as possible on everything related to addiction treatment.

Dr Alexander Lapa - Clinical Reviewer at Ocean Recovery

    Dr Alexander Lapa (Psychiatrist) - Clinical Reviewer - Last reviewed:

    MBBS, PG Dip Clin Ed, OA Dip CBT, OA Dip Psychology, SCOPE Certified

    Dr Lapa graduated in Medicine in 2000 and since this time has accrued much experience working in the widest range of psychiatric settings with differing illness presentations and backgrounds in inpatient, community and secure settings. This has been aligned to continuation of professional development at postgraduate level in clinical research which has been very closely related to the everyday clinical practice conducted by this practitioner as a NHS and Private Psychiatrist.
    He is fully indemnified by the Medical and Dental Defence Union of Scotland (MDDUS) and MIAB Expert Insurance for Psychiatric and Private Medical practice. He is fully registered with the General Medical Council (GMC) in the UK with a licence to practice.

    Dr Lapa is approved under Section 12(2) of the Mental Health Act (1983)

    Member of Independent Doctors Federation (IDF), British Association for Psychopharmacology (BMA) and The Association for the Study of Obesity (ASO)

    Dr Lapa’s extensive experience has also concentrated on the following areas of clinical practice:
    – Assessment, Diagnosis and Pharmacological Treatment for Adults with ADHD.
    – Drug and Alcohol Dependency and maintaining abstinence and continued recovery
    – Intravenous and Intramuscular Vitamin and Mineral Infusion Therapy
    – Dietary and Weight Management and thorough care from assessment to treatment to end goals and maintenance
    – Aesthetic Practice and Procedures