Palm Springs, CA, is full of warm sunshine and scenic mountain views. But despite its charming shops and relaxing hot springs, the area still feels the overwhelming effects of prescription drug addiction. It is no secret that the nation is dealing with an epidemic of prescription painkiller abuse, and unfortunately, California is no exception. That is why our prescription drug rehab in California is taking extra measures to ensure that we are offering effective treatment options for those in the clutches of pain medication abuse.
What is Prescription Drug Rehab?
Prescription drug rehab involves a comprehensive treatment program designed to help individuals overcome addiction to prescription medications. These programs address the physical, emotional, and psychological aspects of addiction, providing a holistic approach to recovery. At Phoenix Rising Recovery, our prescription drug rehab program in Palm Springs, California, offers a structured and supportive environment where individuals can detox, address the root causes of their addiction, and develop the skills necessary for long-term sobriety.
Signs You May Need Our Prescription Drug Rehab in California
When you know the signs of prescription drug abuse and addiction, you can take the steps toward rehab before the problem intensifies. Common signs of prescription drug abuse include:
- Inability to stop using: You can’t seem to stop using prescription drugs despite wanting to cut back or stop altogether.
- Tolerance: You must take more drugs to achieve a similar effect.
- Loss of control: You can’t control how much you take or what happens when you take it.
- Withdrawal: If you abruptly stop taking prescription drugs, you experience painful symptoms like nausea, headaches, or even seizures.
- Focusing on the drug: Drugs take priority in your life over school, family, and work.
- Continued use with knowledge of consequences: Even though you know that abusing prescription medication is bad for you, you do it anyway. The high they produce becomes more important than your legal or financial troubles.
Veteran’s and Opioid Overdose
According to the VA, 1 out of 3 veterans are treated for chronic pain. Since 2012, the VA has decreased the number of opioid prescriptions by 67%, yet the overdose rate of veterans has increased by 53% (as of 2019). Opioid prescriptions are prescribed over 288k still and over 14k veterans are also prescribed benzodiazepines, known as the “deadly duo” due to their exponentially heightened risk of overdose when combined. Many people generally when they cannot receive prescription opioids for various reasons (costs, doctor refusals, supply, etc..) will turn to less predictable illegal drugs such as Heroin or Fentanyl, leading to increased overdose risk and mortality.
List of the Most Abused Prescription Drugs
The three classes of the most abused prescription drugs are opioids, depressants, and stimulants. Doctors closely observe these classes and try not to over-prescribe them due to their addictive qualities.
Opioids
Opioids and opiates are some of the most widely abused prescription drugs, and they’re responsible for the majority of overdose fatalities. Doctors prescribe opioids for chronic to severe pain, usually after an accident or injury. Opioids block pain receptors in the body, causing you to feel euphoria and pleasure, and in turn, can lead to dependency and addiction and cause withdrawal if stopped suddenly. The most commonly prescribed opioids include:
- Codeine – Used in cough syrups and for mild to moderate pain.
- Morphine – Used for acute pain and sometimes during labor.
- Oxycodone (OxyContin) – Treats moderate to severe pain and is often combined with acetaminophen (Percocet). OxyContin is a prescription widely known for it’s role in the opioid crisis of today.
- Hydrocodone – Similar to, but more mild than oxycodone; often combined with acetaminophen (Vicodin).
- Fentanyl – One of the most potent opioids, prescribed for cancer or chronic pain, available in various forms, including patches. Fentanyl is also synthesized illegally with varying potency, or pressed in pills/laced with other drugs, contributing to enhanced risk of overdose.
- Hydromorphone ( Dilaudid, Exalgo, Pelladone) – Prescribed for acute pain
- Buprenorphine (Subutex, Buprenenex, Butrans, Probuphine) – Prescribed for opioid withdrawal and pain management
- Tramadol (Ultram, Ultracet) – More mild than other opioids, prescribed for acute pain and injury
Opiates vs. Opioids
Though the two terms are often used interchangeably, they are in fact different. All opiates are technically opioids. This is because the definition of an opioid is essentially any drug compound that acts on the opioid receptors in the body—as both opioids and opiates do. While all opiates are opioids, not all opioids are opiates.
Opiates are only opioids whose chemical compounds naturally come from the opium poppy plant. The other opioids that aren’t opiates are either synthetically made in a lab or partially natural and partially synthetic. There are numerous effects of opioid and opiate addiction with both physical and mental challenges brought on with continued use.
Depressants
Depressants slow down bodily functions and are extremely helpful in treating people with anxiety and panic disorders. However, patients can get used to their calming effects and abuse them. People who don’t have anxiety disorders also enjoy the effects of these medications for recreational use. Depressants carry a high-risk of addiction and increase the risk of overdose or other challenges in people using depressants in combination with other drugs.
- Benzodiazepines – Used to treat anxiety disorders, stress, and panic attacks. Includes:
- Alprazolam (Xanax)
- Diazepam (Valium)
- Clonazepam (Klonopin)
- Lorazepam (Ativan)
- Barbiturates and Sleep Aids – Occasionally used to treat seizures and migraines. Includes:
-
- Pentobarbital
- Phenobarbital
- Amobarbital
- Secobarbital
About Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines are prescription medications used to treat mental health conditions such as anxiety and panic disorders. They also assist in the treatment of insomnia, muscle spasms, seizures, and withdrawal symptoms associated with drug and alcohol addiction. Benzos provide a tranquilizing effect that helps alleviate feelings of anxiety and assists in relaxation and sleep.
While millions of people experience relief by using benzodiazepine medication as prescribed, they still have a high risk of developing an addiction. Due to their tranquilizing effects, many people abuse their prescriptions from the start or take benzos without having a prescription for them. Either way, it is important to seek a medical benzo addiction treatment center such as ours in California.
Quitting Benzos Cold Turkey
Sometimes people who are addicted to benzos may recognize their symptoms and attempt to quit ‘cold turkey’. However, this can be dangerous and even fatal, so it is not recommended. A qualified rehab program is staffed by addiction specialists and provides professional services that include round-the-clock supervision to monitor for withdrawal symptoms and ensure the client’s comfort and safety while detoxing.
Quitting benzos cold turkey is usually not successful because withdrawal symptoms are often uncomfortable, resulting in the desire to use again to relieve their symptoms. Furthermore, people who attempt to quit benzos on their own are more likely to relapse, compared to those who take advantage of a benzodiazepine rehab program.
Understanding Klonopin and Its Addictive Potential
Klonopin or is a benzodiazepine used to treat anxiety and panic disorders. It is highly addictive and can lead to dependency if used for extended periods. The withdrawal from Klonopin can be severe, highlighting the need for medical supervision during the benzo rehab process
Xanax Addiction Treatment: What You Need to Know
Xanax is another benzodiazepine that is highly addictive. People who develop a dependency on Xanax often require professional rehab services to safely detox and manage withdrawal symptoms. It’s essential to seek Xanax treatment early to avoid the severe consequences of prolonged abuse. Xanax withdrawal treatment from home can have dangerous outcomes, including death, which is why it is never recommended to detox from Xanax without medical supervision.
Stimulants
Stimulants speed up certain bodily functions. These release chemicals in your brain that produce feelings of reward and attention. Doctors prescribe stimulants to patients struggling with attention-deficit disorder or attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADD and ADHD)
- Amphetamine/dextroamphetamine (Adderall)
- Methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta)
- Lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse)
- Dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine)
Amphetamine Salts vs. Dextroamphetamine
Amphetamine salts and dextroamphetamine are both used to treat ADHD. Amphetamine salts are a combination of dextroamphetamine and levoamphetamine, providing a balanced effect. Dextroamphetamine is a more potent stimulant and is often used for more severe cases of ADHD.
Amphetamine vs. Methylphenidate
Amphetamine and methylphenidate are both stimulant medications but work in slightly different ways. Amphetamine increases the release of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain, while methylphenidate blocks their reuptake, increasing their levels. Both medications can be addictive and require careful monitoring by a healthcare professional.
Is Methylphenidate Addictive?
Methylphenidate, commonly found in medications like Concerta, is addictive and can lead to dependency if not used as prescribed. Addiction to methylphenidate can cause significant withdrawal symptoms, making it crucial for individuals to seek professional treatment if dependency develops.
Prescription Drug Addiction Statistics
California has faced tragedy as prescription opioid use has wreaked havoc on the state’s residents. In 2018, almost 2,500 Californians lost their lives to opioid-related overdoses. This accounted for 45% of the state’s drug overdose deaths.
This epidemic does not end in California, it affects the entire nation. The most recent study showed in 2023 the US had over 100,000 overdose deaths, primarily involving opioids—which comprise the majority of all overdose fatalities.
Purchasing prescription drugs off the street has become increasingly difficult. According to the DEA, 7 out of 10 street-purchased prescription drugs tested contained a potentially lethal dose of fentanyl. These drugs are often illicitly pressed rather than pharmaceutically manufactured, resulting in unpredictable and hazardous compositions. Fentanyl, which is 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine, dramatically raises the risk of overdose and death, especially when mixed with other substances.
Prescription Drugs and Alcohol
People who abuse prescription drugs also tend to mix them with other harmful substances like alcohol, which is dangerous. This enhances the drug’s potency and can also put you at greater risk of overdose or death. If you already have an addiction to prescription drugs, adding alcohol to the mix can make this even worse.
You should never mix prescription drugs with alcohol. It’s easy to lose coordination, suffer from heart damage, and experience changes in behavior when you do this. You can also develop more severe health problems, including liver damage, internal bleeding, and brain damage.
Levels of Care at Prescription Drug Rehab Centers in California
Treatment at California prescription drug rehab centers starts with a client evaluation. The purpose of the evaluation is to give staff members a profile of the client’s addiction and circumstances. If necessary, a client will then undergo detox. Upon completing detox, the client will transition to a program that combines evidence-based and holistic therapies. These programs include:
- Inpatient/Residential Treatment (30-Day or 90-Day)
- Resilient Star Veterans Program (Tri-Care and Tri-West)
- Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP)
- Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)
- Outpatient Program (OP)
- Medication-Assisted Treatment
- Sober Living
Prescription Drug Rehab Aftercare
In the early days of recovery, many individuals are reluctant to trust their instincts. As they navigate everyday life, they sometimes feel they need extra support to avoid relapsing. Due to this, our prescription drug rehab center will ensure clients leave with access to aftercare resources.
Aftercare programs can encompass several options. In a pinch, the client will always have the option to participate in outpatient counseling. For the longer term, the individual might want to participate in some form of support group/program. If the individual is not ready to fully integrate into society, a sober living arrangement might be necessary. Types of aftercare include:
- 12-Step Meetings such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA)
- Smart Recovery Meetings
- Refuge Recovery
- Celebrate Recovery
- Recovery Dharma
- Ongoing Therapy
- Medication Management (Psychiatry)
Contact Our Prescription Drug Rehab Centers in Palm Springs, California
Now is the time to stop struggling and start living the life you deserve. Let today be the first in a new and fulfilling chapter. At Phoenix Rising in Palm Springs, CA, we are dedicated to helping you heal from the addiction dragging you down. With comprehensive therapies and extensive programs, our prescription drug rehab center is ready to help. To get started, call or visit our contact form today.
FAQs About Prescription Drug Addiction
What Is The Difference Between Meth and Amphetamine?
Methamphetamine is more potent and addictive than amphetamine, Methamphetamine does have a prescription form called Desoxyn, but is primarily illegally manufactured and used. Amphatemines are less potent and are frequently prescribed to treat ADD and ADHD, but both carry a very high risk of dependency and addiction.
Are Amphetamines Addictive?
Yes, amphetamines are highly addictive and can lead to dependency if misused.
Is Methylphenidate Addictive?
Methylphenidate is addictive and can cause dependency if not taken as prescribed.
What Are The Signs of Klonopin Addiction?
Signs of Klonopin addiction include increased tolerance, withdrawal symptoms, and an inability to stop using despite adverse consequences.
Can You Get Addicted to Xanax?
Yes, Xanax is highly addictive, and prolonged use can lead to severe dependency and withdrawal symptoms which can be fatal. Xanax and other benzodiazepines should only be taken when needed and never as a daily anxiety treatment.
What Is The Best Treatment for Prescription Drug Addiction?
The best treatment includes a combination of medical detox, evidence-based therapies, and holistic approaches, tailored to the individual’s needs.
Can You Overdose On Codeine?
While codeine is considered a mild opiate, it’s still possible to overdose on it and it can even be deadly. This is because opiates depress the central nervous system which can cause issues with the heart and respiratory system.