Prescription Drug Abuse Rehab

The rise in prescription drug abuse has meant that more and more people seeking addiction treatment do not use illegal drugs. They get their fix from their doctor.  They have become addicted to pain medications or anti-anxiety pills. They have also had to resort to other ways to meet their increased tolerance for the drugs. Maybe they have doctor-shopped or forged prescriptions or scoured the medicine cabinets of friends and family.  Maybe they have resorted to buying their OxyContin or Xanax from drug dealers or from illegal pharmacies on the Internet.

Prescription Drug Abuse Epidemic

As if the current state of prescription drug abuse in this country isn’t bad enough, it’s about to get a lot worse. That’s the warning from Dr. David M. Martin, chairman of the Drug and Alcohol Testing Industry Association (DTIA).

In his opening remarks to the DTIA’s Annual Conference, Dr. Martin cited a report that will be released this month in the Journal of Health Affairs on a seven-year study tracking broadband Internet access and hospital admissions for substance abuse.

The results showed that for every increase in broadband access there was a corresponding spike in hospital admissions for prescription drug abuse, while admissions for alcohol, cocaine and heroin either remained the same or decreased.

What’s Causing the Prescription Drug Abuse Epidemic?

What could account for this phenomenon? According to Dr. Martin, it’s the instant access through the Internet that’s primarily to blame. And the threat is very real. “What this means is that America is facing an exponential epidemic of drug abuse never before seen in the recorded history of human addictions,” said Dr. Martin.

Dr. Martin went on to say that those looking for powerful prescription drugs can just go on the Internet and get them overnight. They don’t have to go to the street corner and deal with an unsavory thug to get their pills. It all seems so safe and easy. Prescription drugs are also relatively easy to get through “pain clinics.”

Another aspect of the explosion in drug abuse is the medical marijuana and drug legalization lobby. Dr. Martin pointed out that this lobbing is creating a dangerous endorsement of drug abuse that’s starting in America, but it won’t end here. Expect it to spread to Europe, China and worldwide within the next year.

As a result, the cost to society – and the economy — will be enormous. In addition, there will be a corresponding increase in accidents, sick time, hospital admissions and absenteeism as well as a dramatic decrease in global productivity.

Specialized Prescription Drug Rehab Treatment Is Necessary

Most drug rehabs today have seen the rise in prescription drug abuse. Many clients present with complex issues and multiple addictions. They might be addicted to benzodiazepines such as Klonopin for their anxiety, sleeping pills for their insomnia, and opiates such as Vicodin or OxyContin for their chronic pain. These are dangerous combinations and require a carefully planned, medically monitored detox.  A good residential rehab program will have you examined by a physician and do an assessment. A nurse specializing in detox will be on-site to help you through the process.  The rehab can also make withdrawal more comfortable by using replacement medications for the detox period, such as Suboxone, which is used to help you detox from opiate-based pain medications.