Prescription Drug Addiction Treatment
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adam swanson, lmft
Prescription Drug Addiction Treatment
Prescription drug addiction can often be described as a slow, creeping process. For many people, it starts when they have an accident or major surgery. To manage the intense pain often associated with these circumstances, doctors may prescribe pain medications that are a little stronger than pure acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Opioids like Vicodin, Percocet, OxyContin, and fentanyl are some of the most common prescription pain medications. Regardless of how you or a loved one comes into contact with prescription drugs, their impact on quality of life can be severe. Seeking prescription drug addiction treatment sooner rather than later can save lives.
If you’re living with a substance use disorder, we’re here to tell you that it’s not your fault. Addiction is a brain disease, not a moral failing. Getting treatment from a residential addiction treatment facility populated with compassionate staff members can help you get things back on track. If you want to get started with the process as soon as possible, give Buddy’s Ranch a call at (530) 561-6034.
How Prescription Drug Addiction Treatment at Buddy’s Ranch Works
Step One: Detox
If you need to undergo detoxification, you must do that before anything else. Detoxification, or detox, is the process of ridding your body of the prescription drug so you are no longer feeling its acute effects. Those with SUD almost always need some type of detox, whether inpatient or outpatient.
The safest way to detox from prescription medications is in a residential facility under the close supervision of doctors, nurses, and other medical experts. Most people undergoing detox experience a variety of unpleasant symptoms (more on that a little later), and some people are at risk of having seizures, psychotic episodes, or thoughts of harming themselves. Because detox can occasionally produce life-threatening symptoms, we always recommend going through the process in a residential setting.
If you are experiencing thoughts of suicide or self-harm, we urge you to speak to someone right away. You can reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988 any time of day or night.
Step Two: Inpatient Care
After detox, clients are in a good place to begin talk therapy and other treatment modalities to confront their SUD and any co-occurring mental health conditions. In inpatient care, clients have the benefit of living in a therapeutic environment that is optimized for SUD recovery. Having a structured schedule and easy access to healthcare personnel is invaluable in the early stages of recovery. Living in the same house with others who are in similar situations can also help foster accountability and camaraderie.
The natural beauty of Northern California, where our facilities are located, is also a key component in prescription drug addiction treatment. Clients report positive things about the tranquility surrounding the treatment houses. We also regularly allow clients to engage in adventure therapy, which can involve kayaking, hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing, and other fulfilling outdoor activities.
Now that you have a better understanding of Buddy’s Ranch and the levels of care we offer, you might be asking yourself whether or not you actually have a substance use disorder (SUD). A few common signs of SUD include:
- Spending a large portion of each day using, obtaining, or thinking about particular substances
- A decreased ability to perform well at school or work
- Strained relationships with friends, family members, coworkers, and loved ones
- An inability to quit the substance despite spirited attempts to do so
- Personality changes
- Financial difficulties
These are all common behaviors of SUD. Side effects of actually using substances depend on the type of drug being used. Prescription drugs that carry higher risks of addiction may cause drowsiness or euphoria.
Many people who try to get off prescription drugs on their own may stop because of potential withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms occur because your body has developed a tolerance to the medication; in other words, your brain has become dependent on the substance to operate normally. When you try to disrupt what the body and brain have become accustomed to by trying to stop using a substance, chances are high that you’ll experience withdrawal symptoms.
Withdrawal symptoms of prescription drugs may include:
- Intense sweating
- Nausea and vomiting
- Tremors
- Depression or anxiety
- Insomnia
- Loss of appetite
- Irritability
- Paranoia
Withdrawal symptoms are uncomfortable at best. The most severe symptoms can be life-threatening. Coming off of certain prescription drugs too quickly can occasionally cause confusion or seizures. The risk of severe withdrawal complications goes down significantly if you are under the supervision of experienced medical personnel.
Types of Therapy Buddy’s Ranch Uses
During your stay at Buddy’s Ranch for prescription drug addiction treatment, you’ll get access to therapists with experience in delivering many types of talk therapy. Many clients receive several different types of therapy, as SUD and any co-occurring mental health conditions are complex and require multi-pronged approaches.
A few types of therapy our staff uses in SUD treatment include:
- Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT). Clients receiving ACT are encouraged to accept the things they’re feeling instead of trying to escape them. The other significant piece of ACT is committing to actions that align with your core values.
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). One of the most-used types of talk therapy, CBT, centers around recognizing unhelpful thought patterns and their connection to negative behaviors. Along with its close relative dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), clients can start to work on emotional regulation and distress tolerance.
- Family system therapy (FST). Long-lasting sobriety is often connected to healthy relationships with your loved ones. FST can help you achieve harmony and understanding with close family members.
- Motivational interviewing (MI). Sustained recovery can be tricky to obtain without sufficient motivation. Through MI, clients can gain the internal resolve necessary to engage in healthy behaviors.
- Rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT). This type of talk therapy digs deeper into principles learned in CBT. Clients can gain further insights into unhelpful and irrational thought patterns that influence their behaviors.
Our staff isn’t here to simply throw the kitchen sink at you and see if anything helps. Your treatment plan gets formulated after you receive a comprehensive initial assessment. Buddy’s Ranch will put you, your needs, and your goals first.
Find Your Way Back with Compassionate Prescription Drug Addiction Treatment
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