Skokie Prescription Drug Addiction Treatment

3. Central Nervous System Depressants

Central nervous system (CNS) depressants include tranquilizers, sedatives and hypnotics that impede brain activity. Doctors often prescribe these medications to treat sleep and anxiety disorders. CNS depressants fall into the following categories.

• Barbiturates: These medications treat seizure disorders and are part of some surgical procedures. Examples include Meberal, Nembutal and Luminal. Doctors sometimes prescribe barbiturates for anxiety or sleep problems, but this doesn’t often happen due to their higher risk for overdose.
• Benzodiazepines: These prescriptions may treat insomnia, seizure disorders and short-term sleeping disorders. Examples of benzodiazepines include Valium, Xanax, Klonopin, Prosom and Halcion. Most providers do not prescribe benzodiazepines for long-term use because of their risk of dependence or addiction.
• Non-benzodiazepine sleep medications: These drugs work similarly to benzodiazepines, but have fewer side effects and less risk for dependence. Examples include Lunesta, Sonata and Ambien. Though these medications help people sleep and are less addictive, they can still cause problems for those who misuse them.

Most CNS depressants produce a calming or drowsy effect. With long-term use, an individual may need to take larger doses to feel the same results, which can lead to dependence and dangerous withdrawal symptoms.

4. Stimulants

Stimulants work to increase a user’s energy, attention and alertness, while elevating their heart rate, blood pressure and respiration. Providers typically prescribe these medications to treat narcolepsy, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder and treatment-resistant depression.

Examples of stimulants include:

• Adderall
• Dexedrine
• Concerta
• Ritalin

Stimulants mimic the body’s natural dopamine and norepinephrine to create a feeling of euphoria. They can also constrict blood vessels, open breathing passages and increase blood glucose. When misused, stimulants may cause psychosis, paranoia, hostility, high body temperature and an irregular heartbeat.

Necessary Steps for Overcoming Prescription Drug Addiction

Recovering from addiction may feel like an expensive or life-altering decision. But overcoming these barriers can provide the transformation and freedom you long for. There are a few simple steps you can take to begin your path to sobriety.

1. Recognize the Need for Treatment

Drugs and addiction can skew the brain in ways that make it difficult for a user to realize they need treatment. If you’re uncertain if you’d benefit from treatment, you can take a self-assessment to establish the scope of your substance use or misuse. It may also be beneficial to examine the ways prescription drug use has impacted your life and your loved ones’ lives. Ask a trusted friend or family member to explain the ways they believe your life could improve if you work through treatment and sobriety.

2. Find Your Motivation for Change

Keeping motivation throughout treatment can be hard, but it is crucial for reaching and maintaining recovery. When you battle challenging withdrawal symptoms and addiction cravings, motivation can make the difference between giving in and pushing through. Your motivation may come from family members, peers in the treatment program, personal faith or outside support groups. You may also draw motivation from the pros and cons you see in recovery versus continued addiction.

Wherever the motivation comes from, it can be invaluable to your success.

3. Look for a Treatment Facility

When you know you need help, you or a loved one can begin to research treatment facilities. Look for a few pivotal factors to find an effective treatment center.

• A variety of treatment programs: Each addiction case has unique elements that require an individualized approach. A facility that offers multiple treatment programs allows you to pick the type that may be most effective for your situation. At Gateway Foundation, we offer a variety of programs to target co-occurring disorders efficiently.
• Proximity to home: How you get to the facility is a crucial concern when you’re considering outpatient treatment. It may be best to choose a facility near home to ensure you have easy access to your treatment. Gateway Foundation has a convenient new outpatient location here in Skokie, Illinois, as well as many other locations around Illinois.
• Insurance acceptance: Addiction treatment can be costly at facilities that do not accept health insurance. Finding a treatment center that takes your insurance can help alleviate any financial barriers to receiving the care and treatment you need.
• Evidence-based treatment: Effective treatment is central to any addiction facility. Look for a center that provides the therapies, support groups and medically supervised withdrawal you need to achieve sobriety.

4. Enroll in a Facility That Addresses Your Needs

Once you’ve decided on a treatment facility, you can begin the admissions process. You may need to complete a variety of intake assessments to help the professionals determine how they can best serve you.