One of the most significant medical myths is that people can’t develop a prescription drug addiction. The reality is that many prescription drugs are highly addictive. Even patients carefully following their doctor’s orders can end up becoming a victim of addiction. The good news is that comprehensive treatment programs can help, like the programs at Memphis Recovery Centers.

How Prescription Drug Addiction DevelopsA man with a beard and mustache wearing a tie.

Addiction is an illness that can impact all ages and all walks of life. In fact, many of the people currently struggling with addiction are ordinary people who tried to follow doctor’s orders. People usually develop a prescription drug addiction through one of two avenues: long-term use and recreational use.

Doctors in the United States write millions of prescriptions every year for potentially addictive substances. This includes opioid painkillers, stimulants, and benzodiazepines. Many patients receiving these prescriptions hope to find a medical solution for problems like anxiety, chronic pain, or ADHD.

Unfortunately, even with a prescription, taking addictive medications can lead to a dangerous dependence. When patients try to cut back after their prescription runs out, they might face serious withdrawal symptoms. Often, these individuals will try to find another source for the medication instead of suffering through these symptoms.

Other people knowingly take prescription medications in an illegal or improper way. They might take them from friends and family, buy them illegally or lie to a doctor about symptoms to get a valid prescription. Either way, long-term and unsupervised use of certain prescription medications can definitely lead to an addiction.

Timeline and Stages of Treating an Addiction

Once you or someone you love identifies a prescription drug addiction, it’s time to seek treatment at Memphis Recovery Centers. All patients have unique histories, so each will follow their own unique paths to recovery. However, treatment usually has a general timeline. Recovery often starts with inpatient drug rehab, then steps down to a partial hospitalization program or intensive outpatient program.

As the name implies, inpatient or residential treatment requires patients to be full-time residents at the facility. Medical experts widely recognize inpatient as the best addiction treatment approachbecause it offers round-the-clock medical attention and support while promoting accountability.

After several weeks or months of substance abuse treatment in a residential program, adult patients may be ready to transition to partial hospitalization. Also known as PHP, partial hospitalization programs are a great way to transition to independent living. Patients get the same treatment during the day as well as a regular schedule to help stick with a routine.

An IOP program may be another option after residential care. This program may include treatment and therapy a few times each week. The final stage is aftercare, which helps ensure that patients can avoid relapse and maintain their sobriety. When you are in a prescription drug addiction program at Memphis Recovery Centers, you receive selected programs according to your individualized treatment plan.

Treatment Methods for Addiction Recovery

Although an adult treatment program might follow an approximate timeline, all patients need a unique approach to recovery. At Memphis Recovery Centers, our professional staff takes the time to learn about patients, making it easier to tailor the therapies toward patients’ needs and interests.

Some of the therapies we use at our non-profit addiction treatment center include:

Overcoming prescription drug addiction can be overwhelming, but you don’t have to deal with it alone. At Memphis Recovery in Memphis, Tennessee, you’ll have access to caring, personalized care as you work toward sobriety. Call 901-272-7751, or contact us online to begin your customized recovery journey today.