Prescription Medication Addiction Treatment | Aston Private

Prescription Medication Addiction Treatment

Conditions We Treat
Addiction & Dependencies

Understanding Prescription Medication Addiction

Prescription medication addiction often starts with a legitimate medical purpose, such as managing pain, ADHD, anxiety or sleep issues. Over time, a physical or psychological dependence can develop, producing increased tolerance and requiring a higher dosage to achieve the same effect.

Commonly abused prescription medications include stimulants such as Vyvanse, Adderall, and Ritalin, prescribed for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder; opioids such as oxycodone, hydrocodone, and morphine, prescribed for pain relief; and benzodiazepines such as diazepam and lorazepam, prescribed for anxiety or insomnia.

Signs and Symptoms of Dependence

Signs of prescription medication addiction include continuing to use the medication despite adverse effects on health, work, or relationships. Taking higher doses than prescribed or using the medication more frequently than directed by a doctor.

Withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety, sweating, nausea, insomnia, and irritability are clear signs of physical dependence. Seeking prescriptions from multiple doctors to obtain more medication is also common in prescription drug addiction.

You may also feel strong urges to take the medication, even if you no longer have the original symptoms. If you notice these signs, it is important to seek professional help to manage the dependency safely.

Safe, Medically-Supervised Treatment

The time required to safely detox from prescription medication varies depending on the type of drug, dosage, and duration of use. Often, a slow, medically supervised tapering of the medication is necessary to prevent dangerous withdrawal symptoms and ensure your safety throughout the process.

Following your pre-admission assessment, our clinical team will determine what is safely achievable during your stay and create a personalised tapering schedule. You’ll be under 24/7 medical supervision with our nursing team and on-call physicians monitoring your progress and comfort throughout the detox phase.

Medication-assisted treatment may be used to ease withdrawal symptoms and cravings. For example, buprenorphine may be used for opioid dependence, while carefully managed benzodiazepine tapers help those dependent on anxiety medications. Our psychiatrists work closely with you to ensure the safest, most comfortable detox possible.

Symptom management includes supportive medications, vitamin infusions, hydration therapy, and holistic treatments such as acupuncture and massage to ease physical discomfort during withdrawal. We make every effort to keep you as comfortable as possible during this challenging phase.

Addressing the Root Causes

Detox is only the beginning of recovery from prescription medication addiction. Our comprehensive treatment program addresses the psychological, emotional, and behavioural aspects of dependency to prevent relapse and support lasting recovery.

Daily one-on-one therapy helps you understand why the dependency developed, identify triggers, and develop healthier coping strategies. Many people struggling with prescription drug addiction have underlying conditions such as chronic pain, anxiety, insomnia, or ADHD that need proper treatment. Our psychiatrists and therapists work together to ensure these conditions are addressed appropriately with non-addictive alternatives.

Pain management alternatives are explored for those who became dependent on opioid pain medications. We can connect you with pain specialists and teach you complementary approaches including physical therapy, acupuncture, mindfulness-based pain management, and other evidence-based techniques.

Relapse prevention education helps you recognise warning signs, develop strategies for managing cravings, and navigate situations where you might be offered medication by well-meaning doctors unfamiliar with your history. You’ll learn how to advocate for yourself in medical settings and request non-addictive treatment alternatives.

Our Treatment Approach at Aston Private

Prescription medication addiction often requires ongoing vigilance and support after residential treatment. Your aftercare plan includes ongoing therapy connections, strategies for managing the conditions originally treated by the medications, and plans for handling medical situations that might arise.

Family education helps your loved ones understand prescription drug addiction and how they can support your recovery without enabling. We provide guidance on safely disposing of unused medications at home and creating an environment that supports your sobriety.

Medical coordination with your healthcare providers ensures everyone involved in your care understands your history and will avoid prescribing potentially addictive medications in the future.

With comprehensive treatment and ongoing support, recovery from prescription medication addiction is entirely achievable. At Aston Private, we provide the medical expertise, therapeutic support, and compassionate care needed to safely break free from prescription drug dependency and reclaim your health.

Other Addiction & Dependencies

Other conditions we treat