Prescription drug abuse is one of the leading addictions facing people countrywide. For many, what begins as routine use of painkillers for surgery or injury can easily escalate into painkiller abuse. Prescription drug addiction can take a physical, psychological, and emotional toll on users and their family and friends. Often those struggling with addiction hide their habits from loved ones, making it more difficult to ask for help.
If you or someone you know is struggling with prescription drug abuse or detox, our Baltimore Detox Center team is ready to help. We offer a prescription drug detox program that can help you get through the challenging initial stage of recovery. Perhaps you are concerned that a loved one engages in prescription drug abuse. If so, it is helpful to be able to recognize signs of painkiller abuse.
Signs of Painkiller Abuse
Painkiller abuse is a slippery slope. The way painkillers affect pain receptors in the brain allows the body to build tolerance, meaning that a dose becomes less effective over time. Long-term use requires increased dosages. For many struggling with chronic pain and life stress, prescription drug abuse happens gradually over time.
If you suspect someone you know is struggling with prescription drug addiction, look for signs, such as:
- Changes in energy and behavior
- Hostility and aggression, especially relating to their medication
- Mood swings and erratic behavior
- Increased alcohol consumption
- Changes in appetite
- Changes in sleep patterns
- Taking higher doses of a medication than prescribed
- Drug-seeking behavior and lying about prescriptions
Those who have developed a dependency on painkillers and prescription drugs behave like any person battling addiction. Lying, manipulation, financial trouble, and behavioral changes are all potentials signs someone may be struggling with substance abuse. When confronted, they may deny abusing painkillers, give excuses for why they need a higher dose, or be unwilling to reason with friends and loved ones who notice these behavior changes.
Detoxing from Prescription Drugs
For many, the effects of prescription drugs are too intense to detox and recover from on their own at home. The painful withdrawal symptoms cause many people to go back to prescription drug abuse. Also, people who attempt to detox at home do not have the knowledge and medication to get through withdrawal. Often, the only way for people with prescription drug addiction to overcome withdrawal is with the support of addiction specialists in a safe environment.
Inpatient and residential detox programs offer various levels of support for physical, psychological, and emotional health as patients recover from dependency. Many programs also offer medically assisted support which replaces the dependent substance with another drug. These drugs are monitored, and their dose is reduced slowly to gradually ween off of prescription drugs. Methods like these are often the safest choice for those detoxing and reduce the risk of relapse.
Choose Baltimore Detox Center for Your Prescription Drug Detox
If you or someone you know is abusing painkillers or attempting to detox from prescription drugs on their own, consider contacting Baltimore Detox Center. We are one of the first free-standing detox centers serving the greater Baltimore area. Our unique programs lead with compassion, combing medical assistance with individual, group, and family therapy to rebuild relationships as patients recover. We offer a host of treatment programs for men and women dealing with substance abuse, depression, and anxiety disorders.
Our team is committed to treating each person in our care with the respect and dignity they deserve throughout the treatment process. Learn more about our programs by calling us at [Direct] or completing our confidential online form today. The first step in recovery starts as soon as you reach out to Baltimore Detox Center.
