Overcoming prescription drug addiction can feel like an impossible mountain to climb. When people try to quit cold turkey on their own, they’ll often experience the initial withdrawal stages, which can cause them to return to their old habits. According to the 2017 Needs Assessment by the state’s Council on Alcohol and Drugs to implement the Georgia Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention Initiative (GPDAPI), Georgia saw its drug overdose death rate rise from  11.1 deaths per 100,000 individuals in 2010 to 12.8 in 2015. More than 2/3 of those deaths were from opiates and sedatives. Prescription medications are also being counterfeited and made with the opiate fentanyl, which makes them much more deadly. The good news is that there’s a safer, more systematic approach to beating prescription drug addiction.

At Atlanta Detox Center, our comprehensive approach to prescription drug addiction often starts with our detox program. Our team recognizes that the fear of potentially painful withdrawal symptoms causes many people to delay or avoid seeking treatment. So, we ensure that each patient in our prescription drug detox in Atlanta is as safe and comfortable as possible throughout the entire process. If you’re interested in learning more about how our prescription drug detox center in Atlanta can help you overcome withdrawal, reach out to our friendly Atlanta Detox Center team today by calling 470-450-2355 or filling out our online contact form.

How Does Prescription Drug Addiction Happen?

There are two general ways people can become addicted to their prescribed medications over time. Doctors prescribe certain drugs for short-term solutions, such as painkillers following surgery. Some of these drugs, such as opioids, provide a euphoric effect and even cause physical dependency. So, while they might be useful in helping alleviate pain after surgery, once the person is fully recovered, they’ve become dependent on their prescription just to feel normal. Another way people become addicted is due to the diminishing returns of their medication.

Over time the recommended dosage won’t provide the same effect it used to, so people increase their dosage to get the original result. These individuals aren’t intentionally trying to abuse their prescription. They’re simply trying to attain the same positive effect that smaller dosages of the drug use produce. After increasing their dosage, the person can become dependent on that drug just to achieve their daily tasks. And through no fault of their own, the person in both of these scenarios has now developed an addiction. A person might switch from prescription drugs to heroin, a less expensive alternative in certain cases. Regardless of how someone finds themselves addicted to their prescription medication, all sufferers have one thing in common: they need help overcoming their addiction.

About Withdrawal Symptoms

By the time someone realizes their life is in turmoil due to their addiction issues, there’s a high likelihood their body has already built up a significant dependence on the drug user’s drug of choice. Once the body gets married to the need for a substance, it’s not going to be happy when that substance is suddenly being withheld. The only way it can register its objection to the cessation of getting the substance it craves is to revolt. The body’s way of revolting is via withdrawal symptoms.

The withdrawal symptoms an addiction sufferer will encounter depend on several factors, including:

  • The type of drug or drugs the individual is abusing
  • The duration of the drug abuse
  • The way the individual’s body metabolizes medications
  • The dosage the individual takes regularly
  • The frequency of the drug abuse

In the worst cases, these factors can create a scenario where the individual is subject to some significant and dangerous withdrawal symptoms. Since prescription painkillers are getting the most notoriety in the press these days, we thought it would be useful to point out what kind of withdrawal symptoms someone might encounter when they suddenly stop taking an opioid. Again, if the individual has a significant addiction, their detox process will likely expose them to some equally significant withdrawal symptoms.

Opioid Withdrawal

A few opioid withdrawal symptoms include:

  • Issues with the respiratory and circulatory systems
  • Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
  • Severe cramping in the stomach region -Inability to concentrate
  • Loss of body function
  • Body convulsions
  • Tremors in the extremities
  • Hallucination and nightmares that interrupt sleep processes
  • An onset of psychological issues like depression and anxiety

Surely you will agree this is quite a disturbing list of withdrawal symptoms. Someone with an addiction to benzos, amphetamines, or alcohol could expect to experience similar withdrawal symptoms. The point is this. It would be a big mistake if you were to believe detox is not a serious process. Without trying to scare you, we want you to know that sometimes, the body’s detox process is downright dangerous. With that in mind, we would like to move forward and discuss prescription drug detox programs and how they keep clients safe until the detox process has run its course.

The Good News

The good news is that there is a safe way to recover and avoid relapses moving forward. A heroin detox program backed by medical treatment, in a safe environment, supported by a caring community can help you get your life back on track. And with aftercare programs designed to mend relationships, rebuild finances, and feel whole again, it is possible to build a bright future. A full recovery is possible, and it’s never too soon to start a prescription drug detox program.

Our Prescription Drug Detox in Atlanta

At Atlanta Detox Center, our prescription drug detox program is designed to keep patients comfortable and cared for throughout the entire process.

The steps in our prescription drug detox in Atlanta include:

  • Step 1 — The patient gets a psychological and physical assessment, gets their lab work done, and receives a personalized treatment plan. The patient is then shown to their room which has a comfy Tempurpedic bed, a flatscreen television, and there will be plenty of meals and snacks available. They have everything to make sure they’re as comfortable as possible.
  • Step 2 — The patient is administered medical treatment by our certified professionals to alleviate their withdrawal symptoms. The medication helps reduce the typical stresses and pains that come with prescription drug detox, which also helps curb their urge to use again. The patient will have 24/7 access to staff who will regularly monitor and provide medication as needed.
  • Step 3 — Upon completing the initial prescription drug detox, the patient is then guided through a therapy program to help ensure ongoing recovery. Depending on the patient’s unique needs, they might need one or a combination of therapies. Some examples are recreational therapy, expressive, group, trauma, motivational, family, cognitive behavioral therapy, aftercare, and even case management for issues like bad credit, helping with a criminal record, or finding employment. The prescription drug detox, combined with the aftercare program, is all about setting the patient up for long-term recovery.

IS IT SAFE TO ATTEMPT A DETOX ON YOUR OWN?

There is a reason why doctors and addiction treatment professionals try to discourage people from stopping their drug abuse “cold turkey.” Depending on the circumstances surrounding an addiction, withdrawal symptoms can start within hours of the individual taking their last injection, swallowing their last pill, or drinking their last shot. This is relevant because the onset of the detox process is when the danger begins. It’s a far better idea for an addiction sufferer to reach out for help from a detox facility or an addiction treatment facility that maintains an in-house detox program. Like most other addiction facilities, our first interaction with clients usually involves getting them into our prescription drug addiction detox program. Prescription drug addiction presents a unique problem. If the prescription drug that sits at the core of the individual’s addiction is necessary for the individual’s survival, the intake staffer has to know that right up front.

No one should ever underestimate the importance of the intake process. This is the only way a facility’s staffers can get a handle on the client’s exact circumstances. If you are going through the intake process, we implore you to be as honest as you can. The information you provide will ultimately determine your course of treatment. It would be fair to say that a great majority of the time, people entering rehab with prescription drug addiction are going to need time in a medically monitored detox program.

Medically Monitored Detox Program

The goal of such a program is to keep clients as safe and comfortable as possible while their body detoxes. If a client is able to go through withdrawal without medical intervention, that’s an excellent thing. In our facility, that’s our preferred detox option. However, we don’t encounter many situations when clients can complete their detox treatment by focusing on nothing more than better nutrition, relaxation, and getting exercise. That leaves the medical detox option. Under the watchful eye of medical staffers, clients are monitored as they encounter their withdrawal symptoms.

The moment any client exhibits any level of pain or discomfort, there will be a physician standing by to prescribe prescription drug relief medications. Yes, it’s tenuous to offer prescription drugs to clients with prescription drug addiction. However, it’s only done when no other solutions are apparent. It’s crucial for you to know that the number one reason people abort going through treatment is because of the pain they encounter while they go through the detox process. That’s not good for anyone. That’s precisely why the number one goal of any detox program is to keep the client safe and comfortable at all times.

3 Things to Look for in a Prescription Drug Detox Program

THREE OF THE MOST SIGNIFICANT CHALLENGES TO RECOVERY ARE:

  • Many people struggling with addiction fear the pain and discomfort during the withdrawal period of prescription drug detox.
  • The anticipation of being judged or looked down upon keeps them from reaching out for help.
  • The thought of repairing all the damage that has been done, such as bruised relationships, damaged credit, or tarnished public records, can make people feel as though there’s no way to face these consequences.

If the person doesn’t feel confident they can actually recover, they’re not likely to try to beat their addiction. And if they do try, if the person is feeling discomfort, either from the aches and pains of the withdrawal, or the perceived shame and guilt from their peers, they’re setting themselves up for failure.

Prescription Drug Detox Program

A successful prescription drug detox program should be supervised by dedicated professionals at every step, monitoring vital signs, administering medication as needed, and guiding you through the first steps to recovery. Positive community Nobody wants to be surrounded by people who are constantly trying to “fix” them. You want to be around people who are just like you, who understand you and what you’re going through. One of the keys to a successful recovery is being part of a community of people who’ve been in your shoes and come out clean on the other side. These people can show you the exact steps you need to take to get back on track and stay there.

The problem with one-size-fits-all detox programs is that each person is unique. People have different backgrounds, emotional hurdles, and financial situations. They also have different tolerances, triggers, and physical and psychological needs. According to The National Alliance on Mental Illness, roughly half of all people struggling with addiction also have unique mental circumstances that can affect the treatment methods and the duration they need for recovery.

When choosing a prescription drug detox program, you should look for one that takes the time to assess your personal circumstances. Make sure the program asks about and takes into consideration the substances you’ve been using, the dosage and duration of use, and your full medical history, and use that information to create a personal plan designed only for you. With these three things, you can feel confident that your prescription drug detox program will get you where you’re going. And you’ll know that you will get there comfortably with the proper medical treatment and with the support of people who genuinely care about you.

How to Know When Someone Needs Help with Addiction

Prescription drug addiction is more prevalent than you may think. According to The National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), over 16 million Americans abuse prescription drugs. If you’re not sure if you or a loved one is struggling with prescription drug addiction, here are some questions to consider:

  • Do you find yourself upping your dosage just to produce the same effect it used to?
  • Do you spend time contemplating how you can get more of the drug?
  • Are you losing interest in your hobbies?
  • Are you talking less with family and friends?
  • Is your job performance or schoolwork suffering?
  • Have you considered acquiring the drug through any other means than a prescription, such as through relatives or acquaintances?
  • Do you put yourself in dangerous situations by taking the drug, for example, before getting behind the wheel?

If the answer to any of those questions is yes, there’s a strong chance you, or the person in question, are either addicted or on the verge of addiction. A prescription drug detox program at Atlanta Detox Center backed by a caring community and medical assistance will help ensure there are no relapses.

Begin Recovery with Prescription Drug Detox at Atlanta Detox Center

If you are stuck in the endless cycle of prescription drug addiction, our Atlanta Detox Center team can help. Our prescription drug detox program can give you the support you need as you begin your recovery. Learn more about how our team can help you overcome prescription drug withdrawal by calling 470-450-2355 or completing our online form.

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