When people think of substance abuse disorders, they often imagine someone struggling with illegal drugs like methamphetamine or heroin. However, the reality is that a lot of perfectly legal medications can be just as addictive. Pill popping prescription drug abuse is becoming an increasingly common problem among people of all walks of life. Learning about the prescription pill abuse epidemic can help you better prepare for dealing with this dangerous issue.

The Concerning Rise of Pill Popping Prescription Drug Abuse

In 2017 alone, the National Institute on Drug Abuse found that roughly 18 million people were misusing prescription drugs. This represents a large jump in prescription pill abuse. For example, the number of adults abusing opioids increased from 4.9 million in 1992 to over 12 million in 2012.

People most frequently abuse opioids, like hydrocodone, codeine, and OxyContin, which doctors frequently prescribe for managing pain. Other drugs people commonly abuse are stimulants, such as Adderall. Doctors prescribe stimulants for ADHD, and they prescribe CNS depressants, like Valium, for anxiety treatment and insomnia.

How to Identify Prescription Drug Abuse

Just using prescription drugs alone is not a sign of an addiction. You only have a prescription drug abuse disorder if you are taking more medications than your doctor prescribed. This can include taking medications after your prescription expires or taking abnormally large dosages. Physical signs of popping pills vary depending on medications. Some drugs may cause jitteriness, paranoia, and insomnia while others may cause drowsiness, poor memory, and unsteady movements.

Those who develop a substance abuse disorder often display classic behavioral symptoms. They often lose interest in hobbies or responsibilities and obsess about pill popping. When their prescriptions are not available, they may be irritable or sad. Some may begin taking part in risky behavior, like stealing or prescription forging, to get their drugs.

In addition to the classic signs of addiction, there are also some unique symptoms that show up when a person is abusing prescription drugs. People may run out of their medication too soon and need frequent refills. They may regularly visit the doctor or switch doctors often. Some people may have actual health conditions that occur alongside their drug abuse while others may frequently have vague complaints of issues like pain or anxiety that they can neither prove nor disprove. If you live with someone who is abusing pills, you may notice other medications in the household disappearing.

Treatment Options for Those Dealing With Pill Popping Disorders

The very first thing to do when dealing with popping pill addictions is detox. It is important that you clear all traces of the drug from your system. Some types of prescription drugs, such as benzodiazepines, can cause fatal withdrawal symptoms if you stop taking them suddenly. Therefore, it is wise to seek a medical detox program for prescription drug addiction. A detox program can help you safely reduce dosages while providing non-addictive medications. The non-addictive medications will help you manage withdrawal symptoms.

To address the addiction itself, visiting a rehab center is typically the most effective treatment. When you visit an addiction treatment center in Portland, you get access to a variety of therapies that can help you overcome addiction. Programs like group counseling and motivational interviewing help you unpack the triggers behind your addiction. These activities help you find ways to cope with cravings. You can also get help managing the health conditions that may have led you to abuse prescription drugs in the first place.

Prescription drugs can be extremely addictive, so it is important to seek help as soon as you think you might have a problem. Liberty Bay Recovery provides both residential and outpatient rehab programs. We also provide community care and aftercare programs that continue to assist you after you leave our center. Take the first steps toward fighting prescription drug abuse by contacting Liberty Bay Recovery online or by giving us a call at (855) 607-8758.