Prescription Drug Abuse Treatment in Knoxville

Tennessee Prescription Drug Abuse Rehab Center

When used correctly, prescription drugs effectively treat and manage a wide range of physical and mental health conditions. Unfortunately, many of these medications also have a high potential for abuse. Prescription medication misuse is one of the most common types of drug abuse in the United States—and for those struggling with it, the future can seem hopeless.

At Tennessee Wellness Center, we are here to tell you that there is hope. At our Knoxville prescription drug treatment center, we provide a personalized, family-oriented approach to recovery. We understand the immense toll prescription drug abuse can take on individuals and their families.

Continue reading to learn more about prescription drug misuse and addiction, as well as how our family can help you on the road to recovery. Call us at (865) 205-2770 today.

On This Page:

• What Is Prescription Drug Abuse?
• Commonly Abused Prescription Medications
• Treating Prescription Drug Abuse & Addiction
• How to Help a Loved One Get Treatment for Prescription Drug Abuse
• Take the First Step Toward Healing

What Is Prescription Drug Abuse?

Many prescription medications are specifically designed to alter the way the brain works. Painkillers, anti-depressants, sleep aids, and other prescription drugs have powerful effects that can quickly lead to increased tolerance and abuse. Often, people who are prescribed medications by their doctors do not realize that they have begun misusing the medication or they do not think it is a big deal. However, misuse often spirals into abuse and addiction. Once the cycle has begun, it can be incredibly difficult—nearly impossible—for people to quit on their own.

Prescription drug misuse and abuse can take many forms, including but not limited to:

• Taking a medication without a prescription
• “Losing” a prescription and requesting another
• Requesting early refills or refills on a non-refillable prescription
• Taking or “borrowing” someone else’s prescription medication
• Visiting multiple doctors to obtain several prescriptions
• Taking a prescription drug for longer than instructed
• Stockpiling a “backup” supply of a medication
• Taking more than the prescribed amount/dosage
• Buying a prescription drug illegally from someone else

Commonly Abused Prescription Medications

Any type of prescription medication has some potential for misuse. However, certain medications are more commonly abused due to their brain-altering properties. Prescription drugs that produce a euphoric high are most likely to be misused and lead to addiction.

Some of the most commonly abused prescription medications in the United States include:

• Benzodiazepines: Collectively referred to as tranquilizers, benzodiazepines are a type of sedative used to treat numerous anxiety and sleep disorders. Examples of benzodiazepines include Ambien®, Ativan®, Klonopin®, Xanax®, and Valium®.
• Opioids: Opioids are powerful medications used to treat and manage pain. Unfortunately, they also have a very high risk of abuse. Examples of common prescription opioids include codeine, fentanyl, morphine, Norco®, OxyContin®, Percocet®, tramadol, and Vicodin®.
• Stimulants: Prescription stimulants—such as Adderall®, Dexedrine®, and Ritalin®—are used to treat a variety of conditions, including attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), sleep disorders, and more.

Unfortunately, because of the way these medications affect brain chemistry, people can easily build tolerance, meaning they must take more of the drug to achieve the same effects. They may ultimately develop a dependence on the drug which can easily spiral into addiction.

Treating Prescription Drug Abuse & Addiction

For those struggling with prescription drug abuse and addiction, acknowledging the need for professional help can be embarrassing, overwhelming, and immensely challenging. But it is a critical first step in the healing process. Remember prescription drug addiction is a disease like any other; there is no shame in seeking and accepting help.

Professional drug abuse treatment programs have proven extremely effective in helping those struggling to overcome prescription drug addiction. At Tennessee Wellness Center, we provide a range of clinically backed treatments and therapies designed to help you heal your relationship with yourself and others. We believe in a whole-person approach that takes into account the underlying factors, including behavioral and/or mental health conditions that may have led to the initial use of the medication, that play a role in prescription drug abuse.

At Tennessee Wellness Center, we provide you with the tools you need to develop critical skills that allow you to identify triggers, avoid relapse, and manage underlying mental health issues that can affect your recovery.

Our Knoxville prescription drug addiction treatment programs include:

• Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHP): Our PHP is designed to support those who need intensive treatment for moderate to advanced prescription drug abuse and addiction. With our PHP, you still sleep at home and travel to our center daily or weekly for a variety of treatments and therapies. These treatments are tailored to your specific needs and are designed to provide the personalized support you need to move forward in your recovery.
• Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP): Like our PHP, our IOP allows you to continue living at home while attending our facility consistently to receive treatment and support. This allows you to maintain employment, develop healthy relationships, and continue taking care of important responsibilities during your recovery.

Throughout the process, our family of addiction specialists will be there to provide the support you need, including aftercare designed to help you achieve long-term sobriety.

How to Help a Loved One Get Treatment for Prescription Drug Abuse

There are few things more heartbreaking than seeing a son, daughter, parent, relative, or friend struggle with prescription drug addiction. You may be feeling frustrated, angry, stressed, confused, and unsure of how to approach the subject. You may be fearful to say anything and make things worse with your relationship with them. While it may be uncomfortable, know that you could be saving their life by speaking up.

If someone you know is abusing prescription drugs:

• Educate yourself about addiction so you can better understand exactly what they are experiencing and empathize with their situation. Addiction is a complex disease, and you need to learn as much as you can about their challenges.
• Do not delay. You do not have to wait for them to hit "rock bottom" to speak up. The earlier an addiction is treated, the better.
• Approach them from a place of compassion, not judgment. Do not shame them for their struggles.
• Be prepared to encounter resistance as it is possible that they may be unaware or in denial of their addiction.
• If they agree to seek treatment, stay involved throughout the process and check in on their progress. This is the time they will need your support the most.
• If your loved one refuses to acknowledge an obvious problem after being approached multiple times, consider enlisting the help of a trained intervention specialist.

Take the First Step Toward Healing

Seeking help or information for yourself or a loved one struggling with addiction is not easy—but you do not have to navigate this process alone. At Tennessee Wellness Center, we are there for you every step of the way. Our team offers a family-oriented approach with an emphasis on healing relationships and helping our clients live meaningful, happy, sober lives.

If you’re ready to take the first step in your recovery, or if you would like more information, please call us at (865) 205-2770 or contact us online today.