Prescription drug addiction has become a serious epidemic because of how easy it has been to obtain legitimate prescriptions, and the rising popularity of benzos and opiates.

Drugs like Percocet, OxyContin, Valium, Adderall, and Xanex have been over-prescribed and thus the abuse of these drugs has risen, along with overdose rates. These drugs are legally prescribed to treat things like chronic pain, ADHD, and severe anxiety and can be an asset to some who suffer from these ailments. However, misuse can create short-lived feelings of “euphoria” and lead to tolerance. Once tolerance is reached, the user requires larger doses to achieve the same effect. They are now in the cycle of addiction.

Because these drugs don’t have the same stigma attached to them as street drugs like heroin or meth, the tendency to deny there is a problem is greater in prescription drug abusers. It starts with taking a little more than you’re prescribed, then a lot more, and ends with “doctor shopping”, substituting street drugs, and sometimes overdose.

Prescription Drug Addiction

Prescription drugs can be a healthy component of treatment for people experiencing chronic pain, severe anxiety, recovery from surgery, and other problems. However, due to their highly addictive nature it’s very easy to slip into misuse and addiction. Prescription drug users will find they hit a point of tolerance, meaning the dose of drugs they’re prescribed is no longer effective for their ailments. Users may find themselves taking more than prescribed, further increasing their tolerance and forcing them to make irrational decisions to acquire more. As dependence develops, users may find they can’t even feel normal or function without the drug.

Here are some warning signs that Prescription Drug Abuse has become a problem:

Attempting to fraudulently obtain prescriptions, “doctor shopping”, lying to doctors

Legal problems as a result of your use

Stealing pills from people who have prescriptions

The health problems you were prescribed the drug to address have worsened and are unmanageable when you can’t use

Constantly thinking about how to acquire more

Isolation and alienation from loved ones

Persistent fear of running out of your prescription

Lack of interest in activities you once enjoyed

You are missing work or not fulfilling obligations because you can’t function without the drug

A loved one has expressed concern about your use

Turning to street drugs or dealers to acquire more or find a comparable high

You have tried to stop using but continually relapse

You experience flu-like symptoms, hallucinations, seizures, fatigue, or physical pain when you do not use

Physical symptoms like severe muscle aches and pains, impaired motor skills, constipation, sleep problems, extreme weight fluctuation

How Can Pathways Recovery Center Help Me?

If you are experiencing prescription drug addiction, you have likely tried to stop and found the withdrawal to be unbearable. In fact, withdrawal from these drugs can be life-threatening and should be done under medical supervision. Withdrawal from opiates like OxyContin and Percocet can entail extreme agitation, sweating, muscle spasms and aches, severe nausea and vomiting, dehydration and abdominal pain. Withdrawal from benzodiazepenes like Xanex or Valium can cause dangerous symptoms like seizures, hallucinations, delerium, insomnia, and nausea. These symptoms combined with strong cravings are difficult to overcome on your own, and often lead to relapse.

Treatment for Prescription Drug addiction should start with Supervised Detoxification. It is very dangerous to do on your own, not to mention painful. At Pathways Recovery Center we’ll make sure you’re medically stable. You will be monitored by our on-site clinical and nursing staff who are experienced in implementing medication-assisted detox. This will ensure the safest and least painful withdrawal experience.

In our private, intimate facility designed for serenity and comfort, you’ll begin intensive therapy to not only address addiction, but the underlying factors that led to it. At Pathways Recovery Center, we believe that healing addiction means healing the whole person. You’ll undergo assessments to determine each of the contributing biological, social, and psychological factors that have kept you in the cycle of addiction. Using evidence-based therapies like CBT and DBT, we’ll help you learn new coping skills and positive thinking patterns that will help you overcome your cravings, master your emotions, and heal. At PRC, we’ll get you the social support you need to stay free from addiction with tools like 12 Step programs and group therapy. You are not alone!

Clinically reviewed by

Moses Nasser

Dr. Moses Nasser, a double board-certified physician in Family Medicine and Addiction Medicine, with expertise in holistic healing, addiction medicine, and psychiatric care, holds an X-waiver to prescribe buprenorphine and has extensive experience in mindfulness-based customer service and medication-assisted treatment.

Contact our addiction specialists today to learn more about substance abuse treatment at:

Phone Number
Call: 1-888-711-0966

Email Address
[email protected]

Location
1033 N Soldano Ave. Azusa, CA 91702

Additional Resources on Alcoholism:

National Institute on Drug Abuse

Misuse of Prescription Drugs Research Report

Mayo Clinic

Prescription Drug Abuse

Alcoholism

Alcohol abuse and dependence affect over a quarter of Americans every year. Alcohol is the most widely available drug of abuse in our country. Treatment for alcohol requires medically assisted detoxification and an intensive program designed by Pathways to help each client learn to live a joyful life, free of alcohol.

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Methamphetamine Addiction

The United Nations recently put the number of people worldwide abusing Methamphetamine at approximately 24.7 million. The effects of meth abuse are quickly visible and often lead to incarceration, physical deterioration, and complete demoralization. Pathways provides a serene and quiet environment for the meth detoxification process, as well as intensive therapy to prepare clients to leave Meth behind for good.

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Heroin Addiction

Since 1999, heroin related overdose rates have multiplied more than seven times. Many heroin users were once legitimately prescribed opiate painkillers like OxyContin and found heroin a cheaper and easier to acquire substitute. Heroin use has become increasing dangerous due to the presence of Fentanyl, a substance that leads to fatal overdose with shockingly small quantities of the drug. Treatment for heroin addiction requires medically supervised detoxification.

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Opioid Addiction

The U.S. is currently experiencing an unprecedented Opioid epidemic. Due to the over-prescribing of painkiller like OxyContin and Vicodin, many people with legitimate pain management issues have become addicted to opiates. Dependence on opiates leads to tolerance of the drugs. Once the user has developed tolerance of opiates, they higher and higher doses to achieve the same effect. Some users find themselves turning to heroin to supplement the increased amount of the substance they need. Opiate addiction often leads to overdose and requires medically supervised detoxification.

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Cocaine Addiction

Cocaine is the most trafficked drug in the world and it is estimated that at least 5 million Americans use it. It is highly addictive and often ends in psychosis and financial ruin. Long term cocaine use can lead to heart disease, stroke, seizure disorders, chronic headaches, and many cognitive deficits. As the use of cocaine increases, you may feel stronger cravings as your brain changes to adapt. Once your mind and body begin to depend on the drug, you may have trouble functioning without it. Pathways can help you beat cocaine through intensive treatment that has been proven effective.

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Matt K.

"Traveled 1200 miles not knowing what to expect. My expectations were exceeded. All staff, counselors, etc. really cared about my well being and progression. Family owned. Food, lodging… everything was awesome. Was such a wonderful experience in a dark time for me"

Ashley A.

"So grateful for Pathways. I got the help and guidance I needed during my stay there. Every staff member showed how much they cared about their clients. I felt safe and cared for throughout my stay. The facility is super nice too. Excited for my new lease on life thanks to Pathways Recovery."

Brett J.

"I highly recommend Pathways Recovery Center for residential drug and alcohol treatment. I spent 4 weeks at Pathways and it was a great experience. I want to thank Madonna for help getting me into the program. Shout out to all the staff there for making my experience positive and for their help supplying me with the essential tools I needed for my road to recovery."

Sandra P.

"The process is simple and understandable. The counselor are willing and able to answer any question about the process. We are kept up to date on our son's progress. We are given suggestions on how to continue progressing forward. Madonna is the best at helping us understand what is happening on the inside of a patient mind. We are so happy with this facility. The best!"

Anna A.

"This place is awesome!! Words can not express how grateful our family is for them. The staff and counselors are kind, helpful, and knowledgeable, They saved my dad after 20+ years of drug addiction. It was their dedicated and caring staff that helped him to get and stay clean. His journey was hard but he was able to o reclaim his life just in time to rebuild relationships with his Adult children and young grandkids. Having him back sober is the best gift we could ever ask for."

Chad B.

"Literally saved my life. I was on a dark path of total destruction and had never been to a treatment center before I had no idea it was like this. The staff was extremely knowledgeable in all aspects of health and well being to each patience individual addiction recovery needs. The food was amazing. The kitchen staff accomidated individual food needs."

Supervised Detoxification

Our clinical staff at Pathways Recovery Center will ensure your detox process is safe and comfortable.

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Residential Treatment

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PRESCRIPTION DRUG ADDICTION REHAB

Prescription drug addiction has become a serious epidemic because of how easy it has been to obtain legitimate prescriptions, and the rising popularity of benzos and opiates.