Prescription Medication Addiction in Vermont
Prescription drug addiction in Vermont varies greatly. Individuals can become addicted to and dependent on drugs in three major categories:
In reference to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM), all of these drugs and many more fall under the umbrella of ‘prescription drug addiction.’ For many reasons, prescription drug addiction can be particularly hard to identify as many begin to use the medications under necessary circumstances. Furthermore individuals are obtaining the medication through a doctors prescription so they may feel validated in the abuse of prescription medications.
What does prescription drug addiction or a prescription drug abuse disorder look like? Many times, prescription drug dependents gradually make prescription drugs their main priority over everything else in their life. Prescription drug abusers will likely prioritize prescription drugs over other responsibilities like: work, children and even their own health. Prescription drug disorders will often continue to use prescription drugs beyond legal consequences as a result of their prescription drug abuse.
TREATMENT FOR ADDICTION TO PRESCRIPTION DRUGS
Treatment for prescription drug use disorder can manifest itself over a period of 3-12 months based on the individual. Many prescription drug abusers require a medical detox as their first step due to potential severe withdrawal symptoms that occur when using has stopped. Medical detox for prescription drug addiction ranges from 2-7 days. Detox’s sole purpose is to get the participant medically stable in preparation for treatment. Always seek medical attention and advice and/or medical detox when stopping the use of drugs such as Xanax, Klonopin and Valium. WARNING: Benzodiazepine withdrawal can be deadly.
After medical detox, many recovering people either enter a residential treatment facility for 28-60 days or an Intensive Outpatient or Partial Hospitalization program. The length of time in which someone suffering from Prescription Medication Dependence varies on the individual.