Drug Rehab Centers
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1-866-726-3478Drug Rehab Centers
Need Help Finding a Drug Rehab Center? Just Call:
1-866-726-3478Just Call:
1-866-726-3478According to several national surveys, prescription medications such as those used to treat pain, attention deficit disorders and anxiety are being abused at a rate second only to marijuana among illicit drug users. This holds true for the state of Connecticut.
The consequences of this form of substance abuse have been steadily worsening, as reflected in increased treatment admissions, emergency room visits, and overdose deaths.
Taking prescription drugs in a way that hasn't been recommended by a doctor can be more dangerous than people think. In fact, it's drug abuse. And it's illegal, just like taking street drugs.
Why do people abuse prescription drugs? Some people abuse prescription drugs because they think they will help them have more fun, lose weight, fit in, and even study more effectively.
Prescription drugs can be easier to get than street drugs: Family members or friends may have them. However, these drugs are also sometimes sold on the street like other illegal drugs. In 2017, 1 in 7 teens surveyed in Connecticut said they have taken a prescription drug without a doctor's prescription.
But prescription drugs are only safe for the people who have prescriptions for them. That's because a doctor has examined these people and prescribed the right dose of medicine for their medical condition.
The doctor has also told them exactly how they should take the medicine, including things to avoid while taking the drug. They also are aware of side effects and can watch patients closely for these.
Which drugs are abused the most in Connecticut? The most commonly used prescription drugs fall into three classes: opioids, stimulants, and central nervous system depressant drugs.
The likelihood that someone will commit a crime, be a victim of a crime, or have an accident is higher when that person is abusing drugs — no matter whether those drugs are medicines or street drugs.
Like all drug abuse, using prescription drugs for the wrong reasons has serious risks for a person's health. Opioid abuse can lead to vomiting, mood changes, decrease in ability to think (cognitive function), and even decreased respiratory function, coma, or death. This risk is higher when prescription drugs like opioids are taken with other substances like alcohol, antihistamines, and CNS depressants.
CNS depressant abuse is risky too. Abruptly stopping or reducing them too quickly can lead to seizures. Taking CNS depressants with other medicines, such as prescription painkillers, some over-the-counter cold and allergy medicines, or alcohol can slow a person's heartbeat and breathing — and even kill.
Stimulant abuse (like with some ADHD drugs) may cause heart failure or seizures. These risks are increased when stimulants are mixed with other medicines — even OTC ones like cold medicines.
Taking too much of a stimulant can lead to a dangerously high body temperature or an irregular heartbeat. High doses over a short period may make someone aggressive or paranoid. Stimulant abuse might not lead to physical dependence and withdrawal, but users might take the drugs so often that they become a hard habit to break.
The dangers of prescription drug abuse can be made even worse if people take drugs in a way they weren't intended to be used. Ritalin may seem harmless because it's prescribed even for little kids with ADHD. But when a person takes it either unnecessarily or in a way it wasn't intended (such as snorting or injection), Ritalin toxicity can be serious.
Probably the most common risk of prescription drug abuse is addiction. People who abuse medicines can become addicted as easily as if they were taking street drugs. That's one reason most doctors won't renew a prescription unless they see the patient — they want to examine the patient to make sure he or she isn't getting addicted.
If a doctor prescribes a pain medicine, stimulant, or CNS depressant, follow the directions exactly. Also be sure to keep all of the doctor's appointments. This is because your doctor might want you to visit on a regular basis so he or she can see how well the medicine is working for you and adjust the dose or change the medication as needed.
You should also make a note of the effects the drug has on your body and emotions, especially in the first few days as your body gets used to it. Tell your doctor about these. Keep any information your pharmacist gives you about any drugs or activities you should steer clear of while taking your prescription.
Further, it is advised that you never increase or decrease the dose of your medicine without checking with your doctor's office first. Finally, you should never use someone else's prescription. And don't allow anyone to use yours.
If you do this, you will put others at risk, while increasing the risk that you will also suffer. Pharmacists may be stopped from refilling a prescription if a medicine has been used up before it should be. If you're found giving medicine to someone else, it's considered a crime and you could find yourself in court.
Fortunately, the state of Connecticut has numerous types of rehab in place. There are many types of treatment centers such as long term addiction treatment facilities, short term drug abuse treatment, outpatient detoxification programs, outpatient substance abuse treatment services, inpatient drug abuse treatment and others.
There is a vast range of drug and alcohol rehab facilities available. They include individual psychotherapy, dialectical behavior therapy, couple/family therapy, trauma therapy, trauma-related counseling, cognitive/behavior therapy and others, to name a few. If you need rehab in Connecticut, place a call to any of the available rehab centers.
CITATIONS
https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/sites/default/files/docs/state_profile-connecticut.pdf
https://overdose.trendct.org/
https://portal.ct.gov/DCP/Drug-Control-Division/Drug-Control/Local-Drug-Collection-Boxes
https://www.aacap.org/AACAP/Families_and_Youth/Facts_for_Families/FFF-Guide/Preventing-Misuse-and-Diversion-of-Medication-113.aspx
https://www.drugabuse.gov/drugs-abuse/opioids/opioid-summaries-by-state/connecticut-opioid-summary
https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/atod
If you are addicted to alcohol or drugs, it is imperative that you look for professional help as soon as you possibly can. However, you might not know where to start or the options that are open to you. Similarly, you may have little to no idea about the differences between the different treatment facilities and the programs they have in store for their patients.
Do you need help finding the right drug or alcohol rehab facility in your area?
Fill out the form below or call 1-866-726-3478 to get the help you need.