Prescription Drug Abuse & Addiction Treatment

Learn more about prescription drug treatment at Riverview Behavioral Health Hospital in Texarkana, AR

Prescription drug abuse is a growing trend in the United States. Certain medications have mind-altering properties that make them a high potential for abuse. In fact, in the United States, prescription drugs follow only alcohol and marijuana as the most commonly abused drugs. Prescription drugs are abused in a number of ways. Many individuals take medications that were prescribed for another person. Unaware of the risks associated with sharing medications, many people unknowingly contribute to this problem by giving leftover medications to a loved one or friend. Other individuals take prescription medications in a higher quantity or in a manner different than what was prescribed, which can lead to serious risks for overdose and death. Still others take prescription drugs for a purpose other than what they were prescribed for, especially when these drugs are psychoactive and cause alterations in reality for the user.

There are three most common classes of prescription medications that are prone to misuse and abuse. These include opiate pain killers such as Vicodin or OxyContin, which are heavy duty painkillers used to manage pain for individuals who struggle with pain from cancer, burns, injuries, and chronic conditions. In addition to the analgesic properties, these drugs also provide the user with feelings of pleasure and wellbeing. Many abuse opiate painkillers by crushing the pills and snorting them, diluting the drugs in water and injecting them, or simply taking far more than the recommended dosage instruction. Stimulants, such as Ritalin or Adderall are used to treat ADHD and narcolepsy and can cause feelings of increased alertness and mental acuity for those who abuse these drugs. Sedative-hypnotic drugs such as Xanax and Valium provide individuals who have anxiety disorders a marked decrease in anxiety and panic attacks. In addition, these drugs also cause feelings of relaxation and emotional wellbeing. All three classes of drugs are dangerous when abused.

Individuals often believe erroneously that prescription medications are far safer than street drugs, however all medications carry a risk for side effects. When prescription medications are used for nonmedical purposes, they can provide equal – or greater – risks than street drugs. In addition, many prescription drugs are used at far higher dosages than recommended, which increases the chances for addiction as well as life-threatening overdoses. This is especially true when prescription drugs are mixed with other drugs or alcohol.

At Riverview Behavioral Health, we understand that what may have begun as a harmless experiment may have developed into full-blown addiction quickly. You may realize that your life is spiraling downward and out of control. At Riverview, we understand that prescription drug abuse is a dangerous addiction and our team of committed healthcare professionals are ready to help you overcome your addictions once and for all.

Why consider treatment for prescription drug addiction at Riverview Behavioral Health Hospital in Texarkana, AR

You may feel totally out of control, as though your once-normal life has taken on a brand-new and overwhelmingly scary turn. You may realize that your loved ones, tired of your addiction and behaviors have left you behind. Friends who always stood by you may have walked away, unable to watch you spiral downward. You may have had to resort to stealing to obtain the money necessary to feed your habit, leaving loved ones unable to trust you. You may find that you are lacking a job or have been kicked out of school due to poor performance. You may feel desperate and overwhelmed. At Riverview Behavioral Health, we’re here to help.

At Riverview, our staff is committed to providing unique care to each individual who comes to us for help, certain to provide dignity and respect to all. We’re not here to judge you or see you as anything other than what you are – a person who has lost their way. We’re ready to work alongside you as you begin your journey toward sobriety as you learn the coping skills and abilities necessary to maintain a happy, healthy, and sober lifestyle.

Philosophy and benefits of treatment at Riverview Behavioral Health Hospital

At Riverview Behavioral Health, we see you as more than the symptoms of your prescription drug abuse – you’re a person who deserves our compassion and understanding as we treat you. We’re focused on a holistic plan of care, one that treats your disorder in addition to treating all of you – mind, body, and soul. Our dedicated treatment team, comprised of doctors, nurses, psychiatrists, therapists, and supportive staff will get to know you as a person in order to form the best plan of care for your stay with us. At Riverview, we know how hard managing an addiction can be and we’re ready to fight with you to achieve the life you always wanted. A life full of happiness, joy, loved ones, and friends.

Types of Rx drug addiction treatment offered at Riverview Behavioral Health Hospital in Texarkana, AR

When you come to us, you’ll first undergo a series of medical and psychological evaluations to allow us to gain the full picture of your challenges. Our medical examination will allow us to determine how dependent your body has become on prescription drugs as well as any medical complications that may have arisen as the result of these challenges. Our psychiatric evaluation will allow us to determine how psychologically addicted you’ve become upon prescription drugs and allow us to see if you’re coping with untreated co-occurring disorders. Once we have gathered our information, we’ll work with you to create a plan of care for your stay with us.

Medication may be used at the beginning of your stay with us to help manage symptoms of co-occurring disorders or unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Medication may be slowly tapered down as you learn more effective coping mechanisms until it is discontinued. Other people may find that they need long term medication management in order to manage any co-occurring disorders. The decision to use medication will be based upon recommendations by your treatment team.

At Riverview we’ve found that the best way to work through some of the challenges that individuals recovering from prescription drug abuse cope with is through group therapy. Through bonding with individuals struggling with similar situations, you can best support and learn from one another so that you can both heal and grow.

Family therapy is vital for someone who has been struggling with an addiction which is why at Riverview, we work hard to incorporate your loved ones into your care. We’ll hold family sessions to allow you to discuss your emotions regarding your addiction and help to strengthen strained familial bonds. We’ll also allow your loved ones the opportunity to express the ways that your addiction has impacted them as well as provide them with local community resources such as Nar-Anon.

Continuing care and levels of treatment for prescription drug addiction

As your time with us draws to an end, we’ll work alongside you to address the ways in which we can best allow for continuity of care. Some people find that they’re more comfortable discharging to a similarly structured program such as a residential treatment center. Others may find that they’d slowly like to step back into their lives and will opt to join an intensive outpatient program such as a Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) or Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP). If you’re discharging to home, we’ll set you up with referrals to outpatient therapy centers as well as connections to community resources available to you.