Prescription Addiction

Prescription drug addiction is a national epidemic and is slowly turning pandemic. Narcotic drugs are the most commonly abused prescription drugs but prescription drug addiction is at an all-time high. In 2007, there were 28,000 deaths from prescription drug overdoses — five times the number in 1990. Those deaths were driven largely by the abuse of prescription painkillers. Research indicates that in 2009, over 33 million Americans aged 12 and older used such a prescription pain killing drugs for non-medical purposes in 2007, up from 29 million people in 2002.

  • Narcotics (OxyContin, Vicodin, Percocet), also known as analgesics or opiods are drugs that are prescribed for moderate to severe physical pain. They are abused because of their euphoric, sedating, and numbing effects. Narcotic abuse causes tolerance and dependence and the withdrawal symptoms are severe.
  • Depressants (Xanax, Valium, Librium, Ambien) are drugs that are prescribed to treat anxiety and sleep disorders. They are abused because of their sedating properties. With abuse, depressants cause tolerance and dependence and the withdrawal symptoms can be severe.
  • Stimulants (Ritalin, Dexedrine, Meridia, Adderall) are prescribed to treat ADD/ADHD and other conditions such as asthma. They are abused because of their energizing and euphoric effects. Stimulants do not generally cause tolerance or dependence but abuse is associated with hostility and paranoia. There is also great risk for cardiovascular failure and seizures.

If someone you know is suffering from prescription drug addiction, contact the compassionate staff at Challenges Addiction Treatment Center. Our staff works diligently to make certain each of our clients is treated with dignity and respect. We want to give our clients the tools they need to help them identify their trigger mechanisms and personal signs the created and lead to their prescription addiction.

Challenges Addiction Treatment Center is a nationally recognized center for the treatment of substance abuse, addictions, dual diagnoses and relapse prevention. Our treatment programs are specifically designed with the needs of the individual patient in mind.