Doctors often prescribe medications to treat various symptoms, illnesses, and conditions. When used as intended, they can be a safe and effective form of treatment. However, they can easily be misused. Unfortunately, a large number of people struggle with prescription drug abuse. If left unchecked, prescription drug abuse can quickly turn into an addiction and cause significant harm to your health and well-being. Preventing prescription drug addiction is possible, and not everyone who takes prescription medications will become addicted. However, for others, they can be highly addictive and seriously impact their life.
If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, it is critical to seek professional treatment. At Northpoint Nebraska, our team can help you or your loved one through treatment and recovery. We provide many addiction treatment programs, including prescription drug addiction treatment. To learn more about our facility and programs, contact us at 888.351.3834.
Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention
Prescription drug abuse involves using a prescription medication in a way not intended by the doctor or health care provider. This can include purposefully consuming more of the drug than you are supposed to or using prescription medication not prescribed to you. The most commonly abused prescription drugs are opioids, depressants, stimulants, and benzodiazepines. One of the best ways of preventing prescription drug addiction is identifying the signs and early intervention.
Some of the common signs of prescription drug abuse are:
- Taking higher doses of the medication than prescribed
- Changes in sleeping pattern
- Irritability or hostility
- Mood swings
- Drowsiness
- Forging, stealing, or selling prescriptions
- Poor decision making
- Requesting more prescriptions or pretending to lose prescriptions to get more
- Seeking prescriptions from multiple doctors
If you recognize a combination of these signs in a loved one, encourage them to seek professional help. Not acknowledging substance abuse can lead to more severe drug use and addiction. Quitting substances on your own and without professional care is ineffective and unsafe. In addition, prescription drug abuse prevention is critical for using medications safely and effectively and preventing further damage to your physical and mental health.
Learning Tips For Preventing Prescription Drug Addiction
If you are concerned you have a problem with your prescription drug use, our team can help you. Once someone begins misusing a medication, preventing prescription drug addiction can become more challenging. However, an individual can alter their mindset and behavior with the right resources and support.
Below are some tips for preventing prescription drug addiction:
- Following your doctor’s instructions and the directions provided by the pharmacist
- Never take another person’s prescriptions
- Do not give out your prescriptions to someone else
- Be aware of potential interactions with other medications and alcohol
- Never change your dose or stop taking your prescription without discussing it with your doctor
- Store your prescription medications safely
If drug abuse does become an addiction, Northpoint Nebraska can provide treatment and support. We offer prescription drug addiction treatment that helps patients through detox, inpatient treatment, and aftercare. Our staff is dedicated to ensuring that those in treatment heal physically, mentally, and emotionally and prepare them for a healthier lifestyle.
Prescription Drug Addiction Prevention at Northpoint Nebraska
Struggling with drug abuse or addiction can be scary and overwhelming, but you do not have to feel hopeless or alone. Through our various programs and services, our team can help you achieve lasting recovery. Some of the addiction treatment programs and therapies we offer are:
- Drug detox and rehab
- Medical detox program
- Vivitrol treatment
- Relapse prevention program
- Family therapy program
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy
- Group therapy program
Do not wait for your prescription drug abuse to get worse. To learn more about prescription drug addiction prevention, contact Northpoint Nebraska at 888.351.3834 or reach out online.