Prescription drug abuse is a growing epidemic. It’s estimated that nearly 52 million people use prescription drugs for nonmedical purposes at least once in their lifetime. This number includes those ages 12 and older, and this number is growing. With more teens and adults abusing prescription drugs year after year, this problem can significantly impact an individual’s physical and mental well-being and lead to prescription drug addiction.
SEE Purpose is a drug and alcohol rehab center in Indiana that provides clients with personalized care to effectively treat and recover from substance abuse. SEE Purpose’s mission is to provide essential support and resources to live a life of sobriety and rediscover your life’s purpose. That’s why in this article, you’ll learn more about why is prescription drug abuse on the rise, how to treat prescription drug abuse, and where you can go to find prescription drug treatment options right for you. If you are a loved one is struggling with prescription drug abuse, contact us to learn more about how we can help you on your road to recovery.
Why is Prescription Drug Abuse an Issue Today?
Prescription drug abuse is when you use a medication that is not prescribed to you or use a medication in a way it is not intended to be used. There are various reasons why prescription drug abuse is an issue today. Prescription drug abuse is an issue today for three main reasons: availability, ability to hide prescription drug use, and rising rates of young people contributing to the rise of abuse of prescription drugs.
While millions of people who are prescribed medications by their doctors use their medications as intended, many teens and adults are using nonprescribed medications, from opioids to depressants, stimulants, and more.
Why is Prescription Drug Abuse On the Rise?
As briefly introduced above, prescription drug abuse is on the rise for primarily three reasons: increased rates of abuse in young people, availability, and the ability to easily hide your prescription drug abuse. Read on to learn more about why is prescription drug abuse on the rise below.
More Teens Abusing Prescription Drugs
Teens and young adults are one of the reasons why prescription drug abuse is on the rise. While there are several reasons for this increasing rate of abuse in teens, a lack of education and curiosity are some of the main reasons. Teens need more education surrounding the implications of misusing prescription drugs not prescribed to them to learn the negative effects of prescription drug abuse.
Availability to Get Prescription Drugs
Doctors are more readily prescribing prescription painkillers than they were ten years ago. This, combined with the relative ease for individuals to simply take or steal a friend’s or family member’s prescription, increases the accessibility factor for individuals to use and abuse nonprescribed medications.
Ability to Easily Hide Your Prescription Drug Abuse
Unlike some other addicting substances, prescription drug use is fairly easy to hide. This is because most prescriptions are small and odorless, making it relatively easy to take and abuse prescriptions without others suspecting you have a prescription drug abuse problem.
How to Treat Prescription Drug Abuse
Depending on what type of prescription you were abusing may impact what types of treatment options may be best to effectively treat your prescription drug abuse.
Here are four common treatment options for prescription drug abuse:
Counseling
Counseling, whether it be one-on-one, family, or group therapy can be an effective treatment option for prescription drug abuse. Counseling can help potentially diagnose any mental health problems contributing to the abuse, learn healthy coping strategies to resist cravings, and discover ways to successfully maintain a sober life.
Detox
Depending on the types of prescription drug abuse, detox may be necessary as withdrawal symptoms without proper guidance can be dangerous and life-threatening. Detoxification includes tapering off the use of the prescription drug in a controlled, safe manner.
Support
Support is critical in treating prescription drug abuse. Whether it be support from friends, family members, organizations, support groups, or whomever, it’s important to lean on others to help you along the way, rather than distancing yourself and battling your prescription drug abuse all on your own.
Prescription Drug Treatment in Indiana
Now that you know more about why is prescription drug abuse on the rise, it’s important to understand there are countless treatment programs available to break free of prescription drug abuse.
SEE Purpose is an Indiana drug and alcohol rehab center providing clients personalized care to break free of addiction and live a happy, healthy life. We understand how difficult it can be to quit abusing drugs all on your own. That’s why we offer a detoxification program so clients can effectively stop and adjust their brains and body to function without the use of prescription drugs or any other substance. Contact us to learn more about how you or someone you know can take the first steps toward recovering from prescription drug abuse.
