Prescription Drug Addiction Rehab
Prescription medications work as intended when a person follows their doctor’s instructions. But when an individual starts taking them differently, such as in higher doses, more often, or for reasons beyond what they were prescribed for, problems can develop fast. The numbers are staggering: 13.8 million Americans aged 12 and older misused prescription drugs in 2023 alone.
Prescription drug addiction rehab combines medical support, therapy, and counseling to help you break free from compulsive medication use—whether it’s opioids, benzos, or stimulants. Treatment tackles both the physical withdrawal and the emotional triggers that keep you reaching for the bottle.
The path to recovery varies significantly from person to person. Some individuals benefit from intensive outpatient programs that allow them to maintain work and family responsibilities, while others may require more comprehensive care through partial hospitalization programs. Staying in treatment for 90 days or longer gives individuals the best chance at lasting recovery.
Prescription drug abuse occurs when a medication is used differently from the prescribing doctor’s instructions. This means taking more than prescribed, using someone else’s medication, or chasing a high instead of treating a medical condition.
- Misuse: Taking medication incorrectly, whether unintentionally or intentionally.
- Abuse: Using the medication specifically for its psychoactive effects, such as euphoria or sedation.
- Addiction: A chronic, relapsing disorder characterized by compulsive drug seeking despite adverse consequences.
Common patterns include taking medication differently than prescribed, using someone else’s prescription, taking medication for non-medical reasons, and mixing prescriptions with other substances.
What are the Signs of Prescription Drug Abuse?
Physical changes usually show up first, looking different depending on what drug someone’s misusing.
- Bloodshot eyes or unusual pupil size: Pinpoint pupils with opioids or dilated pupils with stimulants.
- Changes in sleep: Sleeping far more than usual, insomnia, or erratic schedules.
- Noticeable appetite or weight changes: Sudden weight loss or reduced interest in food.
- Poor coordination: Slurred speech, stumbling, or slowed reaction time.
- Neglected hygiene or appearance: A sudden drop in self-care habits.
When behavior starts shifting, it’s usually a sign that prescription use has moved beyond medical need.
- Withdrawing from loved ones: Communicating less, avoiding events, or spending more time alone.
- Declining performance: Missing deadlines or reduced grades at work or school.
- Secretive medication behavior: Hiding bottles or becoming defensive when asked about medication use.
- Running out early: Frequent stories about lost prescriptions or urgent refill requests.
- Doctor shopping: Seeking multiple prescribers to obtain additional medication.
As prescription drug abuse worsens, relationships fall apart, and money problems pile up.
- Relationship conflict: Increased arguments or broken trust around medication topics.
- Financial strain: Unexplained spending or borrowing money despite a stable income.
- Legal problems: DUI/DWI arrests or trouble tied to forged prescriptions.
- Isolation from enjoyable activities: Dropping hobbies or social routines.
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What are the Symptoms of Prescription Drug Abuse?
- Tolerance: The body requires higher doses to achieve the same effect.
- Withdrawal: Symptoms appear when medication use stops, including flu-like symptoms, nausea, sweating, or anxiety.
- Cravings: Strong urges to use the drug feel difficult to resist.
- Dependence: Feeling “normal” only when medicated or experiencing physical discomfort without the medication.
- Preoccupation: Frequently thinking about when to take the next dose.
- Fear of running out: Panic or anxiety when the supply runs low.
- Mood instability: Depression, emotional numbness, or sudden mood swings.
- Cognitive changes: Memory issues or difficulty concentrating.
What are Commonly Misused Prescriptions?
Prescription drugs get misused when they quickly change how you feel—whether that’s your mood, pain levels, energy, or sleep.
Common examples of opioid pain medications include oxycodone (OxyContin), hydrocodone (Vicodin), morphine, and fentanyl patches. Opioids are incredibly addictive because of how they rewire your brain’s chemistry. The biggest danger? Slowed breathing—especially when mixed with alcohol or benzos.
Common benzodiazepines include alprazolam (Xanax), lorazepam (Ativan), and clonazepam (Klonopin). Your body can become dependent on benzos fast—sometimes in just weeks of regular use. Benzo withdrawal can cause seizures, which is why you need medical supervision to detox safely.
Stimulant medications such as methylphenidate (Ritalin) and amphetamines (Adderall) are prescribed primarily for ADHD. Misuse can cause serious heart problems, anxiety, paranoia, and wrecked sleep patterns.
Sleep medications include zolpidem (Ambien) and eszopiclone (Lunesta). With regular use, your body builds tolerance—meaning you need more of the drug to get the same effect.
What Should I Expect During Prescription Drug Addiction Rehab?
Rehab starts with a comprehensive evaluation covering your drug use history, physical health, mental health, and what’s happening in your life. Based on the evaluation, the team determines what level of care you need—whether that’s partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient, or standard outpatient treatment.
Outpatient programs let you get treatment while still going to work, school, or taking care of your family. Intensive outpatient programs typically involve 9 to 15 hours of treatment weekly, while partial hospitalization programs offer 20 or more hours per week.
Prescription drug addiction treatment is built on evidence-based therapies that research has proven effective.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Helps identify thought patterns that lead to drug use.
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): Focuses on building skills to regulate emotions.
- Group Therapy: Offers a chance to connect with peers and learn from shared experiences.
- Family Therapy: Addresses communication patterns and repairs damaged trust.
Before you finish rehab, your treatment team creates a detailed aftercare plan to help you stay sober. Relapse prevention planning helps you spot your triggers and build coping strategies that work for you.
What Treatment Options are Available for Prescription Drug Addiction?
Medication-assisted treatment uses FDA-approved drugs to ease cravings and withdrawal. Buprenorphine and methadone can cut illicit drug use by up to 90% after two years of treatment for opioid addiction.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Teaches practical skills for managing cravings.
- Motivational Interviewing: Strengthens internal motivation for change.
- Contingency Management: Uses positive reinforcement to encourage continued abstinence.
| Feature | Outpatient / IOP | Inpatient / Residential
|
| Living Arrangement | Live at home | Live at the facility |
| Time Commitment | 9-20+ hours/week | 24/7 supervision |
| Flexibility | High (work/school possible) | Low (focus solely on recovery) |
| Best For | Stable home environment | Severe addiction, medical needs |
Holistic approaches like nutrition counseling, exercise, and mindfulness support your recovery by improving overall health. These provide tools for managing discomfort without returning to prescription drug use.
How Long Does Prescription Drug Addiction Treatment Take?
How long you stay in treatment depends on what drug you’re misusing, how long you’ve been using it, and whether you’re dealing with mental health issues too. Research shows that staying in treatment for at least 90 days gives you better long-term results.
Several factors affect treatment length:
- Severity and duration of misuse: Long-term use often requires longer treatment.
- Type of medication: Opioids and benzodiazepines have specific tapering needs.
- Co-occurring conditions: Mental health issues require integrated care.
- Support system: A stable home environment can influence the level of care needed.
Why Choose Clear Direction Recovery for Prescription Drug Addiction Rehab?
Treating prescription drug addiction means tackling both the physical dependence and the deeper reasons you started misusing in the first place.
- Individualized Treatment Plans: We assess your specific situation and build a treatment plan that fits your needs.
- Experienced Clinical Support: Our licensed professionals specialize in prescription drug addiction.
- Evidence-Based Approaches: We use therapies that research has proven work, like CBT and Motivational Interviewing.
- Outpatient Flexibility: Keep going to work, school, or take care of your family while getting treatment.
- Comprehensive Support: Case managers help coordinate appointments, navigate insurance, and connect with resources.
- Whole-Person Focus: We treat co-occurring issues like anxiety, depression, or chronic pain as part of your care plan.
Clear Direction Recovery Offers Prescription Drug Addiction Rehab in Marlton, New Jersey
Clear Direction Recovery provides outpatient prescription drug addiction rehab in Marlton, New Jersey. We work with adults 18 and older who are struggling with substance use disorders, including alcohol, heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine, and prescription drugs like opioids, benzos, or stimulants.
Services include partial hospitalization programs, intensive outpatient programs, medication-assisted treatment, individual counseling, group therapy, and family therapy. Every treatment plan tackles both the physical side of dependency and the deeper reasons behind your misuse.
If you’re losing control over your prescription use, you don’t have to do this alone. To explore options, schedule an assessment, or ask questions about next steps, contact Clear Direction Recovery.
Frequently Asked Questions About Prescription Drug Addiction Treatment
You might need professional help if you’re taking more than prescribed, craving the medication when you miss a dose, or still using it after your medical issue is resolved. Getting prescriptions from multiple doctors or using someone else’s medication are major red flags.
Yes, federal law protects your privacy. HIPAA and 42 CFR Part 2 set strict confidentiality rules—your treatment provider can’t share information without your written permission, except in emergencies.
Most insurance plans cover prescription drug addiction treatment. Coverage usually includes outpatient programs, intensive outpatient, partial hospitalization, and medication-assisted treatment.
Outpatient programs are built around your work, school, and family schedule. Intensive outpatient programs usually require 9-15 hours weekly with flexible scheduling options.
Relapse occurs in 40-60% of individuals during the first year and indicates the need for plan modification rather than failure. Treatment teams adjust recovery plans by increasing therapy frequency or adding medication-assisted treatment.
Medical supervision during withdrawal reduces risks and improves comfort. Supervised tapering gradually reduces doses, and for opioid dependency, medication-assisted treatment with buprenorphine or methadone significantly reduces withdrawal severity.
https://www.samhsa.gov/medications-substance-use-disorders
https://nida.nih.gov/publications/research-reports/medications-to-treat-opioid-addiction
https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline
https://nida.nih.gov/research-topics/prescription-medicines
https://www.cdc.gov/overdose-prevention/prevention/preventing-opioid-use-disorder.html
