Rehab Centers for Prescription Drug Addiction

Prescription drug abuse and addiction are becoming increasingly common. Some of the most commonly abused drugs include opioids, benzodiazepines, stimulants and sedatives such as sleep medications. When misused, these substances can lead to tolerance and dependence, escalating the addiction process. Misuse patterns can vary depending on the medication and a person’s usage of it.

Prescription drug abuse risks can increase if you mix them with alcohol or other substances. Additionally, purchasing counterfeit pills can increase the risk of exposure to potentially hazardous additives or taking an unexpected substance, such as fentanyl, methamphetamine or xylazine.

If you or a loved one is struggling with a prescription substance use disorder, a structured, evidence-based treatment program can help you reclaim your life and break free from drugs.

A person struggling with substance abuse and addiction may show one or more signs that it might be time for a structured treatment plan. These signs might impact them physically or functionally and can include:

• Inability to reduce or stop use
• Intense cravings for the drug
• Continued abuse despite serious consequences
• Risky behavior like impaired driving
• Memory problems
• Workplace or school decline
• Relationship strain
• Legal or financial consequences

Addiction treatment services may also be a strong fit for people using multiple prescriptions, mixing pills with alcohol or other substances or taking medications in risky ways, such as crushing or snorting them. Additionally, those struggling with co-occurring mental health conditions, chronic pain or sleep disorders might also benefit from a professional substance use disorder treatment program.

Prescription drug addiction treatment involves several steps, beginning with the initial assessment and intake. During this phase, a medical professional or addiction specialist will gather your medication history, dosing and usage patterns, most-often used route of use and any overdose risk factors. They’ll also perform a mental health screening to determine if you have co-occurring mental health disorders, such as anxiety and depression, to include your personalized treatment plan.

Individualized treatment planning allows the facility to develop a course of recovery specific to your unique needs, triggers and usage. For example, they may take into account triggers such as access to medication or negative emotions and incorporate skills classes that teach you how to better cope with these triggers. Other factors included in your plan are your age, how long you’ve abused prescription drugs, environmental factors and specific relapse prevention that suits your situation.

Program Structure

A major benefit of an inpatient drug addiction rehab program is the structure it provides.

Common components of a typical day in addiction and mental health treatment may include:

• Individual therapy
• Group therapy
• Coping and relapse prevention skills training
• Prescription drug abuse education
• Long-term recovery planning
• Free time for activities such as using the gym or resting
• Meal breaks
• Integrated treatment for co-occurring mental health conditions with a focus on medication

The detoxification process is an early stabilization phase focused on helping you quit taking the medication you’re abusing in a safe, medically managed way. During this period, trained healthcare providers oversee you to help manage withdrawal symptoms carefully and comfortably.

Common withdrawal symptoms from addictive medications include:

• Opiates: Aches, nausea, diarrhea, insomnia, chills and sweating.
• Stimulants: Intense fatigue, agitation, mood swings, increased cravings and low mood.
• Sedatives: Rebound anxiety, insomnia and tremors.

In the case of benzodiazepines specifically, more severe and even life-threatening symptoms can arise, such as grand mal seizures.

It’s important to note that detox is just one component of your recovery journey, and it’s necessary to support the transition into an ongoing inpatient rehab program. Detox typically lasts from a few days to two weeks, depending on the prescription type, severity of the addiction and your symptoms.

The following are some of the most common, evidence-based prescription drug addiction treatment modalities implemented in an inpatient recovery program:

• Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT): CBT emphasizes changing a person’s thoughts related to addiction and drug use and replacing them with healthier, more appropriate thoughts. This change supports their feelings and ultimately their behaviors.
• Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT): DBT is a subset of CBT that emphasizes emotion regulation, mindfulness, distress tolerance and interpersonal relationships.
• Family Therapy: Family involvement is often a crucial component of a person’s recovery, even if only one family member attends therapy and supports them. Sessions include topics such as problem-solving and addiction education.
• Experiential Therapy: Many treatment facilities for opioid addiction and other prescription medication addictions incorporate experiential therapy, or treatment that offers a more hands-on approach. Examples include art therapy, equine therapy and adventure therapy.

Many prescription drug rehab programs last 30, 60 or 90 days, depending on your unique needs, level of addiction, the presence of polysubstance use or co-occurring disorders. However, how long your insurance plan covers rehab may also factor into your length of stay.

Other factors that may influence length of stay include:

• Withdrawal severity
• Medical stability
• Duration of abuse and addiction to prescription drugs
• Specific mental health needs
• Progress made in treatment

Partial hospitalization programs (PHPs) and outpatient treatment are alternative or step-down options you may choose to participate in either instead of or after completing an inpatient rehab. A PHP is the most structured and requires several hours a day, typically five to seven days a week. An outpatient program is less structured and usually involves three to four hours of treatment for a few days a week. These programs often last between 8 and 12 weeks.

The step-down approach is common and often encouraged by medical professionals after completing an inpatient program, as it provides additional, ongoing support for your recovery journey.

After prescription drug rehab, you begin re-integrating yourself into your regular life, whether that’s returning to work, school, family life or other prior responsibilities you had before treatment. If you opt to pursue a more structured option, such as a PHP or outpatient program, this is also part of the reintegration process.

Another option is to reside in a sober living residence for an extended period after rehab. This type of environment provides structure and support as well as stringent rules that you must follow to maintain residency. Sober living can help ensure accountability and stability during early recovery, especially as you learn to navigate old triggers in new ways. It may be a good fit for those with an unstable or unsupportive home environment.

Other continuing care options that provide support after exiting a rehab program include:

• Ongoing individual or group therapy
• Check-ins with an addiction professional or a trusted individual
• Participating in support groups

Peer support groups like 12-step and non-12-step recovery programs reinforce relapse prevention skills and provide a sense of community in sobriety.

Another important component of successfully maintaining sobriety after a treatment program is to create new routines that no longer involve drug use. New routines can include healthy sleep habits, stress management strategies and finding safer, drug-free communities to build an identity outside of addiction.

Maintaining long-term sobriety relies heavily on relapse prevention, which teaches you how to manage triggers and respond quickly and effectively to potential warning signs. This approach begins by identifying your unique triggers to create an action plan that offers a healthier way to cope with them.

Relapse triggers vary based on the prescription used, but examples include:

• Pain flare-ups
• Insomnia
• Fatigue
• Increased anxiety
• Negative emotions
• Positive emotions
• Physical access to medications
• Social environments that normalize sharing pills
• Old friends with whom you’d use drugs
• Enabling healthcare providers

Some commonly used strategies in relapse prevention include:

• Planning ahead for predictable triggers
• Learning safe, healthy coping skills to replace previous drug use when facing triggers
• Creating an escape plan for exiting a triggering situation without using
• Building supportive accountability with others in recovery
• Setting safe medication boundaries with yourself and others
• Reducing the time or energy spent in high-risk situations or with triggering individuals

Slip-ups or relapses are a common part of the recovery process and aren’t something to be ashamed of. However, always remember that a slip-up doesn’t have to result in returning to your previous level of drug use. Instead, it provides an opportunity to learn how to take swift action to address the relapse and identify what led to it. This knowledge helps prevent similar situations in the future.

According to the National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics, residential addiction treatment in the United States costs an estimated $43,446. However, this doesn’t include a breakdown of what your insurance might cover. Primary cost drivers for treatment include the level of care provided, program features, how long a person stays and location.

Insurance may help offset rehab costs. Every insurance plan is different, but many cover some drug and alcohol addiction services. Insurance plans may cover more of the cost for in-network treatment programs than outpatient facilities, but often generally cover the same type of services for both. Copays, coinsurance and deductibles vary depending on your plan. Always speak with a representative before attending a rehab program, so you understand your out-of-pocket costs.

Some programs offer payment plans or financial assistance. Reach out to the rehab facility’s financial department to see what it offers and if you’re eligible. However, cost shouldn’t be the only deciding factor in attending a program, and there are multiple options available.

Rehab doesn’t cure prescription drug addiction, but it provides a structured environment in which you can begin rebuilding your life in sobriety by learning skills that promote stability. These programs emphasize sustained behavior change versus simply quitting using a drug, which ultimately affects your decisions once you complete rehab.

To benefit most from a prescription drug rehab program, it should provide:

• A structured environment that reduces access to misused medications while strengthening recovery routines and allowing time to heal physically and mentally.
• Peer support and accountability to reduce relapse risk following the program.
• The opportunity to learn skills for managing cravings, stress, triggers and high-risk situations without misusing prescriptions.
• Support for co-occurring pain, anxiety, depression or sleep issues that may contribute to misuse through either natural or medication-assisted treatment that’s safer and less addictive.
• The chance to get out of your usual environment and focus solely on your recovery without distractions.

Reaching out to a treatment facility can feel scary and intimidating, especially if you started out taking a legally prescribed medication for a legitimate issue like anxiety or insomnia, and it progressed to misuse. If you’ve noticed yourself or a loved one taking more than prescribed or you’re unable to stop despite trying or experiencing intense withdrawal symptoms, professional help may be the right option for you. Seeking help is a sign of bravery, not weakness.

Help.org is a free and confidential online resource you can use to search addiction treatment facilities for prescription substance use disorder. Researching facilities allows you to compare options based on your unique needs, insurance carrier, preferences and location in a discreet way.

Addiction can happen to anyone, so it’s important to remember you aren’t alone in this. Choosing to seek help is the best thing you can do for your health and future.