Recovering from Prescription Drug Addiction
For whatever reason a person began taking prescription drugs, once the addiction takes over it is hard to stop. According to the NIDA,” Recovery from drug addiction requires effective treatment, followed by management of the problem over time.”
Relapses
There are estimates of a 40% – 60% relapse rate for drug addictions after undergoing treatment because drugs alter the brain’s anatomy and chemistry and like any other chronic disease, it takes time to recover.
Relapse prevention treatments teach the addict:
- How to cope with cravings and reminders of drug use.
- How to avoid people, places, and things that may “trigger” a relapse.
- How to solve problems and make decisions that affect the probability of future use.
- How to apply strategies to prevent continued use should a relapse occur.
Many addicts discover that they are on the verge of relapsing from the most insignificant occurrence long after they have left a formal treatment program. Some will relapse multiple times no matter how hard they try to manage the problem. According to NIDA the chances of long term recovery improve after remaining abstinent for 1-3 years.
Finding Ways to Remain Abstinent
You can overcome an addiction to prescription drugs. Help and support is available!
Recovering from prescription drug addiction involves taking the right steps, remaining vigilant in your abstinence, and a continuous process of psychological, behavioral, and cognitive changes.
- Avoid old friends who are still using drugs. This may require breaking ties with people who have been in your life for years. You may need to move to a place where the environment is non-conducive to drug abuse, where drugs are not easily obtainable, and where your drug abusing friends find it hard to reach you.
- Leave the negative past behind. You are on your way to a better life, quit beating yourself up over the past. When those reminders come up, or something else reminds you of your relation with drugs, break away and use this time to reflect on how far you have come and what your goals for the future will be.
- Seek positive relationships. The greater your support network, the more positive influences you will have for your recovery plans. 12-Step support groups are effective in helping you to remain abstinent and also great for finding resources to help in other areas of recovery.
- Involve family and friends in your recovery. These are the most influential people in your life. Getting them involved in your recovery will have extended benefits. As they see you making positive changes and realize how difficult it is for you, they too, will be prompted to make positive recovery changes.
- Stay busy and seek other ways of finding pleasure. Fill your mind with good things that make you happy. The more you enjoy positive behaviors, the less you will be stimulated by the thoughts of drug use.
