Prescription Drug Detox

Prescription pain killer addiction is a growing problem in our world today.  These drugs are so easy to get and they are legal.  People keep taking their medication too long or to help them “get through the day”, and they may find themselves addicted to a strong narcotic.

Cycle Of Prescription Drug Addiction and Withdrawal Symptoms

Oxycontin, Vicodin, and Percocet are just a few examples of commonly prescribed narcotic pain medication.  They are so addictive that a person trying to wean themselves may become trapped in a cycle of taking pills to avoid very uncomfortable symptoms.  So then they are faced with two choices - do they try to endure pain and emotional distress from not taking the pills or do they keep taking them and create a monster?

Just admitting you need professional help for an addiction is a huge step.  And many people addicted to prescription medication had begun with a fully legitimate reason to take the medication.  It can be  embarassing and humbling to ask for help, especially for someone who never expected to end up with an addiction.

Prescription drug detox is a necessary part of drug rehab.  Thankfully, many rehabs already have a drug detox set-up in their facility.  However long it takes for a person to endure the symptoms, the detox staff is there to see it through with the addict.

Prescription Drug Detox Medications Have Controversy

Sometimes, substitution drugs like methadone or Suboxone are used to make withdrawal easier.  This can be tricky since a person may be in recovery but still technically not sober from all drugs.  The benefit of these medication is there chemical similarity to the addictive drugs and their relative lack of withdrawal side effects.  So instead of coming right off Vicodin, a person may be prescribed Suboxone in gradually reduced amounts.

Some controversy has developed over the use of these medications.  Despite their usefulness for many people, some recovering addicts have developed addictions to these medications.  Buprenorphine is a fairly new drug being developed as an effective but safer alternative to Methadone and Suboxone.  Time will tell if science can come up with a completely non-addictive detox medication for prescription pain killers.

Prescription Drug Detox and Drug Rehab Combination

Prescription drug detox is the first step towards addiction recovery.  It may be hard for a person to even believe they are truly addicted to painkillers.  They may have even thought they could stop taking the drugs on their own with no guidance.  The excruciating symptoms make it so difficult for anyone taking a narcotic pain killer to stop on their own.  A professional drug detox and drug rehab can get you or someone you love on the road to sobriety.

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This entry was posted on Tuesday, November 17th, 2009 at 11:35 pm in Drug Addiction, Drug Addiction Treatment

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