When prescribed medications, you might assume they are safe to take and won’t cause any unwanted symptoms or side effects. But that’s not necessarily the case.
Prescription drug abuse in women is steadily increasing, and women should be aware of the risks and dangers associated with misusing medication. Prescriptions for pain medications like opioids are very addictive and can lead to serious addiction.
Recovery Ranch TN welcomes people from all walks of life who are prescribed opioid pain medication and have become addicted to it. Our team has experience in treating all types of addiction, including alcohol, cocaine, heroin, and opioid pain medication. Our prescription drug addiction program focuses on uncovering the reasons behind substance abuse, teaching you healthy coping skills to manage your symptoms and triggers.
Recognizing prescription drug abuse in women
When medication is prescribed to treat pain, illness, and other symptoms, you may feel confident taking the drug. However, there can be safety concerns, as doctors sometimes prescribe medicines that have addictive properties.
Some of the medications to treat pain, depression, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) come with a risk of developing an addiction. These include:
- Opioids: Opioids are very effective in treating pain and include oxycodone, hydrocodone, morphine, codeine, and fentanyl.
- Anti-anxiety drugs and depressants: These medications are used to treat depression, anxiety, and sleep disorders. Types of these medications include alprazolam, diazepam, zolpidem, and other selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs.
- Stimulants: This medication is used to treat ADHD and sleep conditions. They include methylphenidate, dextroamphetamine-amphetamine, and dextroamphetamine.
While these medications are generally safe to take when you follow the prescription and talk with your doctor when your symptoms change, they come with a risk of developing an addiction. It’s a common practice for people to double up on their prescriptions or take them with wine. Doing this will increase the euphoric effects and set a new baseline for how much you need to take to feel the same impact. If you try to stop suddenly, it can cause several withdrawal symptoms and intense cravings for more drugs.
Here are some tips for recognizing prescription drug abuse in women:
- Their prescription ends before the refill date.
- They have prescriptions for opioids or SSRIs from multiple doctors.
- They frequently take their medication with wine, cannabis, or other drugs.
- If they are unable to refill a prescription, they will experiment with harder drugs, like illegal opioids or heroin.
If you suspect a friend or loved one is abusing their medication, talk to them about enrolling in a drug treatment program. Clinicians and counselors can develop a comprehensive program that uses behavioral therapy, holistic therapy, and medication to ease any withdrawals and cravings.
Treating drug abuse in women
Reports show that 6%, nearly 16 million Americans, abuse their prescription medication. Ways they treat prescription drug abuse in women include:
Addiction education
Therapists will teach clients about how drug abuse can completely consume a person and change their behaviors. They will discuss therapies and answer questions about what to expect during treatment. Programs use a combination of therapies to treat the physical and psychological aspects of substance use disorder.
Medication-assisted treatment
Medication has long been used to treat several illnesses, and it can help reduce withdrawal symptoms, cravings, and other depressive or anxious symptoms. Medical staff will administer medications based on your treatment plan. They will monitor you for adverse side effects and change the dosage as necessary. As symptoms fade, they will taper you off until the medicine is no longer needed.
Behavioral therapy
One of the top methods for treating substance use disorder is cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). It can treat all types of addiction and focuses on identifying the original reasons behind substance abuse. Therapists use various techniques to identify personal triggers and find new behaviors to replace the negative ones. In addition to CBT, treatment centers utilize dialectical behavior therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, motivational interviewing, and other behavioral therapies.
Holistic therapy
In addition to behavioral therapy, therapists use holistic therapy practices to help people build life skills and show them a new way of living. Holistic treatment includes mindfulness practices, equine therapy, yoga, meditation, nutrition education, and other essential life skills.
Family therapy
Addiction affects everyone in the family. It can tear apart relationships and damage family dynamics. Loved ones can participate in family therapy sessions to work through any conflicts that may arise that prevent a safe recovery. They will learn all about the addiction and ways that they can support your recovery at home.
Start prescription drug addiction treatment at Recovery Ranch TN today
Recovery Ranch TN supports women who are struggling with their prescription medication and want help in breaking the addictive cycle once and for all. We have gender-specific rehab programs where women can discuss issues that matter to them. We will sit down with you and develop an effective treatment program to teach you how to overcome dependence on harmful substances.
If you or a loved one is struggling with prescription drug abuse, fill out our online contact form or call 1.844.876.7680 today to schedule a consultation and tour of our center.