Prescription drugs

What is a prescription drug addiction?

Prescription drug addiction is a type of substance use disorder that involves the compulsive use of prescription drugs, despite the negative consequences. It occurs when a person becomes dependent on prescription medications that have been prescribed by a healthcare provider to manage pain, anxiety, or other medical conditions.

Prescription drug addiction can occur with many types of prescription medications, including opiods, benzodiazepines, stimulants, and other medications. Prescriptive drug addiction can be dangerous and knows several negative consequences, including overdosing, dependence, and physical and mental health problems.

Young adults and prescription drugs abuse

Young adults can experience pressure when transferring to adulthood. Finding a career path, making your own home. Growing up means getting a lot of new responsibilities. For some young adults it is tempting to use certain substances to perform better or relax more during these challenging times. Xanax, Adderall or other likewise medication seem innocent, despite they need to be prescribed by doctors. However, using them without prescription can have serious consequences and lead to psychological problems, dependence, and addiction.

How to recognize a prescription drug addiction?

It’s important to recognize prescription drug addiction early stage and take action when abuse of medication is identified. Below we'll discuss signs of prescription drug abuse.

Symptoms of prescription drug abuse

Prescription drug abusage can be recognized by several signs and symptoms, including:

• Taking higher doses of the medication than prescribed or taking it more frequently than recommended.
• Continuing to use the medication even after the medical condition for which it was prescribed has improved.
• Feeling a compulsive need to use the medication, even when it’s not necessary or appropriate.
• Neglecting personal responsibilities or relationships due to prescription drug use.
• Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when attempting to reduce or stop the use of medication.

Dangers of prescription drug use

When you’re using prescription drugs without prescription or the advised dose, you’re putting your physical and mental health at risk. It depends on the type of medication what dangerous consequences can be identified.

Many types of prescription are misused, but the most common are:

• Opiods as codeine, Vicodin and OxyContin. Mainly prescribed for pain relief.
• Depressants as Valium and Xanax. Mainly prescribed for people with anxiety or sleeping problems.
• Stimulants as Adderall and Ritalin. Mainly prescribed for people with ADHD.

When do you need professional help?

It's important to communicate with your health care provider when you or a loved one experiences problems with prescription drug use.

How can we help?

The Grange Youth Clinic offers a unique 8-week program for individuals, and their families. Our professional team of psychologists and other therapists helps them deal with mental health issues, such as prescription drug addiction. Teaching young adults how to cope with this type of addiction hands them vital tools for a better future and helps them build healthier family dynamics.

We help young adults identify and break free from struggles that are holding them back in daily life and future possibilities. Empowering their talents and qualities within the treatment gives them – and their family – an honest opportunity and chance to change their course, heading towards an honest, balanced future.

Parents or caregivers are closely involved in the treatment as you’ll join the clinic one week as well. Following a special program where we’ll work on family dynamics and communication. Read more about the program.

Schedule intake interview

The Grange Youth Clinic can help young adults who are struggling with social media addiction. Learn more about our treatment here or register for an intake interview below.