 Prescription Pill addiction is a serious problem that many people are completely unaware of. With the advent of websites that make it possible to order pills over the internet it has become increasingly possible to obtain highly scheduled medication. Highly addictive pills such as valium or oxycontin are relatively easy to acquire and abuse. Another common way for people to get prescription medication is to lie to doctors. Some addicts will see several doctors in order to obtain multiple scripts.
The reason that prescription pills are scheduled is because they can be dangerous. It requires a trained medical professional to assess a patient and make the prescription. When used as directed by a doctor these pills have valid medicinal uses. It is when the patient abuses the medication by using too much of it that they become dangerous. Some side effects, such as drowsiness, may actually be desirable to the person abusing prescription pills.
Long term or heavy abuse of prescription pills can result in addiction. The person abusing the pills may become dependent on them and find themselves unable to stop without a proper medical detoxification ("detox"). Other consquences can include memory loss, damage to the body, as well as social problems such as loss of relationships.
Prescription pill addiction rehab at Minnesota House starts with a careful medical assessment by a nursing sister and medical doctor. This important assessment lets the treatment team ascertain when the patient is ready to join program. A typical program for prescription pill abuse will last about 6-12 weeks. During this time the patient will receive individual counseling, attend regular group therapy, and participate in lectures lead by psychologists, social workers, and other professionals.
Minnesota House also offers gym sessions three times a week. These are led by a Virgin Active instructor and help the patient to rebuild confidence while improving their general physical condition. Additionally a pastor visits the centre once a week to lead a spiritual discussion group (non-religious). This holistic approach to wellness is based on an internationally accepted model of treatment. |
