Taking prescription drugs is generally safe when taken according to your doctor’s advice. However, the non-medical use of these medications is becoming a public health concern, and for a good reason: prescription drug abuse can lead to potentially dangerous health consequences.

At Sierra Recovery, we support individuals struggling with prescription drug misuse to overcome addiction and help them achieve a drug-free life.

What are Prescription Drugs?

Medications are substances that are utilised for their curative and preventive properties. They can be over-the-counter or prescription drugs; the former can be dispensed by the pharmacy without a prescription and bought off-the-shelf from the stores, and the latter warrant a prescription. You can only get a prescription from a doctor’s visit or through an online consultation, and this is usually intended to be used only by one person. This process ensures that your doctor thoroughly evaluates your condition and carefully determines the best medicine for you.

These drugs are regulated for the following reasons: they may have serious side effects, require special instructions to take them, and have a high potential for misuse or addiction. Prescription medications also include those that treat medical conditions that need regular assessment to ensure consistent health benefits. These conditions may include high blood pressure or hypertension, diabetes, and psychiatric conditions.

Understanding Prescription Drug Abuse

From 2017 to 2018, five classifications of medications were subjected to analysis due to their high potential for non-medical use in the UK; these included antidepressants, opioid pain medications, gabapentinoids (gabapentin/pregabalin), benzodiazepines and Z-drugs (for insomnia treatment). The study found that 1 in 4 adults in the UK received and was dispensed one or more prescriptions for these drugs. While these medications are essential for managing certain conditions effectively, with the high levels of prescriptions, the risk for dependence and addiction to drugs with abuse potential is also increased.

Prescription drug abuse occurs when individuals take these medications outside of their intended use. These individuals usually self-medicate and take the drugs more than prescribed to achieve either the “high,” calming, or euphoric effects associated with them. Such misuse will most likely lead to addiction, which negatively impacts one’s quality of life. Aside from health complications and possible fatality, drug dependence has significant societal consequences -strain on relationships, work issues, legal problems, etc.

Signs and Symptoms of Prescription Drug Abuse

Individuals struggling with prescription drug abuse may exhibit behavioural signs such as stealing “drug” money and lying to a healthcare provider to acquire prescription drugs. They may even neglect responsibilities at home, school, or work. It is also equally important to recognise physical and psychological symptoms, which include issues with sleep patterns, irritability, weight changes, dishevelled appearance, mood swings, and increased anxiety or depression.

Risk Factors

Clinical guidelines are in place by the NHS to use prescription medications to prevent misuse. For instance, benzodiazepines should only be prescribed for 2-4 weeks. However, long-term prescription is a common practice in the UK and poses risks for dependence and abuse. Another risk factor is previous addiction; studies show that being addicted to prescription drugs is more common in people who have had substance abuse in the past, such as alcohol or heroin addiction. Moreover, a coexisting psychiatric condition can also increase the chances of medication misuse, such as in depression or anxiety disorders.

Complications

Over time, health complications may arise with prescription drug addiction. These drugs are processed by either the liver or kidneys, and long-term abuse can result in multiple organ damage. In addition to this, taking high doses of a drug may lead to fatal overdose, especially for opioids and other depressants. These substances cause respiratory depression, which is slow, ineffective breathing and can even result in death. Individuals engaged in such are also at increased risk for developing other mental health disorders, worsening the vicious cycle of addiction.

The Most Commonly Misused Prescription Drugs

In a study in 2014, Great Britain had the highest incidence of non-medical use of prescription drugs among the five EU countries studied. The commonly abused prescription drugs have not changed much over the past decade, and more often than not, these drugs are taken in combination with other substances such as alcohol, heroin, or others.

Gabapentinoids

Pregabalin and Gabapentin are termed gabapentinoids and are primarily prescribed for seizure and nerve pain. There has been a steady number of cases of gabapentinoid misuse over the recent years. Though it can cause depressive symptoms, the danger does not lie in overdosing, as this may not be as serious, but gabapentinoids can be lethal when mixed with other substances such as alcohol and opioids. Heroin users have been reported to take these substances due to the heightened effects of heroin, even with intake of small amounts. As heroin and gabapentinoids are both depressants, death can result from respiratory depression and coma.

Antidepressants

In general, antidepressants are not considered highly addictive at all. However, long-term use can lead to physical dependence. In the UK, patients with depression face the challenge of increased risk of dependence on these medications due to long waiting times for behavioural therapies that could take months before an appointment. This highlights multiple factors surrounding drug abuse and addiction.

Opioid Pain Medications

Usually prescribed for pain relief from cancer pain, these potent medications are often abused because of their high addictive potential. The prolonged use of opioids can lead to dependence because of the euphoric effects and tolerance, requiring higher doses to achieve the same effect. Among the usually prescribed opioids are codeine, oxycodone, morphine, and fentanyl.

Benzodiazepines

This class of medications is usually abused because of their calming effects. They are prescribed for the treatment of anxiety disorders, seizures, and insomnia. These drugs should only be prescribed for 2 to 4 weeks, but studies show that they are taken for at least 12 times longer than the recommended duration. Its increased use in heroin users is alarming due to the increased incidence of fatal drug overdose that can lead to death.

Why Choose Sierra Recovery?

Here at Sierra Recovery, we are dedicated to providing the best care you deserve. We offer a wide range of services to ensure you get the optimum care and support in your recovery journey.

Personalised Treatment Programmes

We carefully assess every individual’s needs, taking into consideration the severity of addiction, coexisting psychiatric disorders, and, most importantly, personal circumstances. These programmes leverage the individual’s strengths, focusing on their resilience and personal goals. We believe empowering individuals to participate in their recovery actively enhances recovery outcomes.

Cost-Effective Treatment

We provide reasonable addiction treatment options depending on your needs and the duration of your treatment, ensuring that the programme is tailored specifically for you. Our residential treatment programme is designed to maximise the use of resources while delivering effective care. We are committed to providing value and ensuring the treatment remains affordable without compromising quality.

Competent Medical Team

Our treatment centre consists of a team of healthcare professionals specialised in the realm of addiction and mental health. It is dedicated to providing evidence-based care for prescription drug addiction. A multi-faceted approach is crucial in the management of any form of addiction, and that’s what our medical team aims to ensure: a comprehensive and personalised treatment.

Luxury Amenities

Sierra Recovery is a rustic, luxury facility nestled in a lush mountainous area surrounded by mountains, boasting modern amenities that provide a safe and comfortable space for healing and recovery. You can find solace and comfort, experiencing the best of what nature offers in our first-rate centre with warm, sunny weather all year round.

Holistic Approach

Our facility offers programmes designed to address the mind, body, and spirit through various activities supporting recovery, like yoga, meditation, and equine therapy. These programmes complement the main therapies for addiction by enhancing overall well-being and supporting a balanced recovery.

Prescription Drug Abuse Treatment at Sierra Recovery

Detoxification

Detoxification is the process of eliminating the byproducts of drugs from the body. It is considered a safe and effective way to rid the body of these addictive substances. You may be subjected to detox if you are experiencing withdrawal symptoms since there is an increased risk of relapse during the withdrawal period. The whole process is done under medical supervision to ensure safety and efficacy.

Behavioural Therapies

Behavioural therapies focus on identifying problematic behaviours and triggers for prescription drug addiction and help the individual develop effective coping strategies. It is heavily action-oriented, aiming to change harmful behaviours and unhealthy thought patterns, preventing relapse. It involves techniques such as talk therapy to help regain control of one’s own life and rebuild healthier versions of themselves.

Counselling

We offer counselling that is centred around the individual’s needs and helps address underlying emotional and psychological issues that fuel the addiction and strengthen support networks. Counselling can be done individually or with a group. Individual counselling helps build effective and healthier coping strategies, and group counselling fosters connection and shared experiences.

Medication-Assisted Therapies (MAT)

This combines the utilisation of medications with other therapies, such as counselling and behavioural therapies, to manage prescription drug addiction. Dependence and addiction to prescription opioids can be treated with buprenorphine and naltrexone. Both medications can block the effects of opioids in the brain, alleviate symptoms of withdrawal, and help curb cravings.

Seeking Help for Prescription Drug Addiction

Coping with high levels of stress can be overwhelming, and some people may turn to prescription drug abuse. Here at Sierra Recovery, we can ensure a stress-free recovery away from the city’s noise. With our world-class amenities in the charming coastal city of Malaga, Spain, we will help you recover and improve your quality of life.

Do you need someone to talk to? Our helpline is open anytime, 24/7, for any concerns. We are here to listen.