Treatment for Prescription Drug Addiction

Has the idea of treatment crossed your mind? Perhaps it has, but two things get in your way. One, you’re not even sure you like the idea. And two, you don’t really understand what treatment might involve. Perhaps the information that follows will be helpful. And, at the end of this page, you’ll find a link to treatment centers across the United States.

Treatment Can Work For You
The good news is that treatment is available. And, treatment works. Studies by the National Institute on Drug Abuse show that 40 to 50 percent of those entering treatment programs are able to remain drug free for three to five years; the study also shows that another 30 percent significantly reduced their use of drugs.

There is no “one-size-fits-all” approach to treating addictions. Treatment depends on individual needs and circumstances and the drug involved. But, for any type of treatment for chemical dependency, the goal is to help individuals make changes in their lives so that they need not continue to depend on drugs for coping. In turn, their lives are richer and more constructive. Treatment involves learning to make changes in thinking and behaving. Today, most forms of treatment will also involve the use of medications, to ease the transition into drug-free living.

Medical Detoxification
As you may know, it is dangerous to quit drugs cold turkey. Many individuals require medical detoxification before they can begin a program of treatment or rehabilitation. The purpose of detoxification, or “detox,” as it is commonly called, is to help individuals to withdraw from an addictive substance.

Detox is conducted under close medical supervision during the withdrawal phase. Withdrawal symptoms may range from mild irritability to seizures and even death. Other common withdrawal symptoms include anxiety, panic, depression, incoherent thoughts, muscle cramps, vomiting, or nausea.

When patients first enter a detox unit, they are given medications to ease the symptoms of withdrawal. They may be given tranquilizers, anti-hypertensive drugs, or other medications. Some patients may be given small doses of their drug to which they’re addicted with the intent of gradually tapering the doses. This detox process usually takes several days, perhaps longer, depending on the type of drug to which one is addicted.

In-Patient Treatment
In-patient treatment, in which an individuals stays in a residential treatment center, usually involves three to six weeks at a treatment facility. Treatment is usually followed by extended outpatient therapy in such support groups as Narcotics Anonymous or Alcoholics Anonymous.

Once admitted for inpatient treatment, individuals are usually assigned a primary counselor, who will oversee their treatment program. During the inpatient stay, individuals are also asked to participate in both individual and group therapy. Treatment programs also may include watching instructional video tapes, listening to lectures, writing assignments, reading materials on recovery, and attending twelve-step meetings. The goal is to teach individuals how to live without drugs and how to avoid situations that could lead to a relapse. For example, individuals may learn to carefully select the types of company they keep or the places they visit. Are they living in a drinking and drugging environment that they may not be appropriate for them? If so, plans need to be made to avoid these settings

In short, treatment serves as an education to help the patient answer several key questions: what am I doing to myself emotionally and physically with drugs? What will happen if I continue this habit? How can I stop using drugs? What can I do to stay stopped?

Choosing a Treatment Center
Just as it is important to choose a reputable hospital for any other illness, it is important to choose an addiction treatment center which operates at the hands of qualified personnel. Patients and families should ask treatment center staff the following questions when considering a treatment center for chemical dependency:

• Is there is a physician on staff who has been trained in addiction medicine?
• Do therapists have training and credentials in addictions treatment?
• Is auxiliary treatment available for family members? Recovery is much enhanced if family members understand the dynamics of addiction in a family.
• Does the treatment center teach about relapse? Addiction is prone to relapse and individuals can learn how to manage it.
• Does the treatment program teach new ways to manage stress? If drugs are no longer used to cope with stress, it’s important to develop new methods coping skills.
• Is there inclusion of 12-step programs? These programs are among the oldest and most successful recovery programs.
• Does the program help individuals incorporate spirituality into their lives. For some, the concept of spiritually may involve religion, but for others, spirituality refers to principles that enhance one’s sense of purpose and meaning in life.

Out-Patient Treatment
In an out-patient treatment program, the patient does not stay overnight at the treatment facility. In many cases, the patient may carry out routine activities during the day—going to work or to school—and then attend treatment programs in the evenings. Treatment may involve several hours once of twice a week; or it may require every night of the week.

The treatment regimen usually involves sessions similar to those of an inpatient program—therapy sessions a primary counselor, participating in group counseling sessions, listening to lectures and tapes, and attending 12-step meetings. Individuals who are very motivated are often considered better candidates for out-patient treatment since out-patient treatment provides more “opportunities” for the patient to relapse.

Partial Day Hospital
As insurance companies have tightened guidelines on the amount of payment they’ll provide for in-patient treatment, an increasing number of treatment centers have developed “partial day hospital” programs. In such programs, patients participate in a treatment program throughout the day, returning home at night.

For example, some centers run programs in which patients arrive at the facility Monday through Friday at 8:30 a.m. and stay until 9:00 p.m. The length of treatment plans vary, with some lasting two to three weeks. During this time patients are involved in such activities as individual and group counseling, 12-step meetings, and a variety of lectures which might cover such topics as: nutrition, how addiction affects the mind and body, intimacy, sexuality, spirituality, stress, and relapse prevention.

Follow Up Care
Many treatment centers offer follow up care, often called, “after care.” These programs are designed to help prevent relapse in patients who have completed their primary treatment program. After care typically involves individual or group counseling, or both, to provide emotional and spiritual support once of twice a week. The length of after care programs range from several months to one or two years.

Virtually all treatment programs advocate participation in twelve-Step programs, both during after care and once after care has ended. Twelve-step groups include such organizations as Narcotics Anonymous (NA) and Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). The success of such groups is attributed, in part, to the power of the “group dynamic,” or the emotional and spiritual support that the members give each other. Consistent participation in these groups also helps individuals from isolating themselves, and also nourishes them emotionally and spiritually, by helping them “get outside” of themselves by helping others. Both these dynamics are considered helpful in preventing relapse.

Rapid Detox Treatment for Opiate Addiction
Rapid detox centers began appearing in the United States in the mid 1990s. As the name implies, the purpose of the treatment is to do detoxification rapidly, ridding the patient of cravings and withdrawal symptoms within a matter of hours rather than over a period of days in a conventional treatment center. Done while the patient is under general anesthesia, this rapid detox treatment is only for opiate addiction. Opiates include such prescription drugs as Demerol, OxyContin, Vicodin, Percodan, Dilaudid, and Darvocet. The cost of the treatment may range from $4,000 to $10,000.

Although thousands of successful rapid detox procedures have been performed in the United States , the treatment is still the subject of some controversy. Some medical and addiction specialists consider the procedure risky, saying there is a risk—however small—of death anytime general anesthesia is used. The American Society of Addiction Medicine states that additional research should be completed to confirm both the procedure’s efficacy and safety. The Society also says most of the procedure’s risk is related to the experience and expertise of the anesthesiologist and other medical personnel carrying out the procedure; they further state that anyone who is considering a rapid detox procedure, should choose a treatment center carefully, making sure the center employs a highly trained, experienced team of professionals.

Does Insurance Pay for Treatment?
Some insurance companies do pay for addiction treatment; however, over the past decade they have become more restrictive for both in-patient and out-patient treatment. The costs for a 28-day in-patient treatment program vary widely, ranging from $14,000 to $30,000.

Treatment Is Cost Effective
Treating substance abuse not only saves lives, but saves dollars. It is estimated that untreated addiction in the United States costs about $276 billion a year, or an average of $1,050 per person annually. This cost includes such things as medical treatment for injuries, traffic accidents, crime, and days lost in the workplace. Yet, every person is the country could be treated for $45 per year.

A study by the National Institute on Drug Abuse found that each dollar spent on addiction treatment saves $4 to $7 in reduced medical and social costs, and returned $3 in increased worker productivity. The study concluded that each $1 invested in treatment returns $7 to $10 to society.

Find a Treatment Center
Looking for drug treatment programs and alcohol abuse treatment programs? Find the right drug abuse treatment program or alcohol abuse treatment program:

This searchable directory of drug and alcohol treatment programs shows the location of facilities around the country that treat alcoholism, alcohol abuse and drug abuse problems. The Locator includes more than 11,000 addiction treatment programs, including residential treatment centers, outpatient treatment programs, and hospital inpatient programs for drug addiction and alcoholism. Listings include treatment programs for marijuana, cocaine, and heroin addiction, as well as drug and alcohol treatment programs for adolescents, and adults.

* Sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)