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What Is Prescription Drug Abuse?
Prescription drug abuse occurs when an individual uses medication in ways not intended by a prescribing doctor.
This change from prescribed use can manifest in various ways, such as taking higher doses than recommended, taking another person's prescription, or combining medications with alcohol or other drugs.
People often turn to prescription drug abuse for varying reasons, including unmanaged physical pain, coping with emotional stress or trauma, enhancing focus for academic tasks, or simply seeking the subjective effects of certain medications.
The Specifics of Drug Abuse in Kansas
In Kansas, prescription drug abuse has become a growing concern. Reports show a staggering 754 overdose deaths in 2022, translating to 26 deaths per 100,000 people – the highest rate ever recorded for the state.1
Despite these alarming figures, the crucial message remains: prescription drug abuse is treatable, and you don’t have to go through the healing process alone.
Our team at Arista Recovery is here to help you love your life again. Recovery happens in community, and we cultivate a culture of safety, support, and non-judgment catered to your needs.
Common Prescription Drug Types
There are several types of prescription drugs that individuals are given for anything from lingering pain to more intensive symptoms. However, there are some common types of prescription drugs that are more misused than others, including:
Opioids: The Most Dangerous Category
Opioids are powerful pain medications. Common examples include oxycodone (OxyContin), hydrocodone (Vicodin), and morphine. Doctors prescribe these medications after surgery or for chronic pain conditions.
These medications work by blocking pain signals in the brain. They also create feelings of relaxation and euphoria, which makes them highly addictive, even when they are taken as prescribed.2
Opioid prescription drug abuse carries serious risks, such as difficulty breathing, overdose, and more.
Benzodiazepines: Anti-Anxiety Medications
These drugs work by slowing down brain activity and creating a calming effect.3
Benzodiazepines are utilized to manage anxiety or stress, but if people struggle with dual diagnosis symptoms as well, they may combine them with alcohol to increase the relaxing effects. This combination is particularly dangerous and can cause breathing problems or death.4
Additionally, it’s important to know that quitting benzodiazepine use suddenly can cause seizures, which makes professional medical supervision essential during withdrawal.5
Stimulants: ADHD and Focus Medications
Common types of stimulant medications include Adderall (amphetamine) and Ritalin (methylphenidate). These drugs increase alertness and energy levels.
Students and professionals often utilize stimulants to improve performance before big tests or important work projects. On the other hand, some people turn to stimulants to lose weight or stay awake for long periods of time.6
Stimulant prescription drug abuse can cause heart problems, high blood pressure, and seizures.7
The Kansas Perspective: Local Trends and Challenges
Kansas faces distinct challenges in combating prescription drug abuse, as access to treatment facilities often remains limited, particularly within rural communities, necessitating long-distance travel for many seeking appropriate care.
The state has also recently observed concerning trends, with fentanyl emerging as a significant threat. This potent synthetic opioid, far stronger than other opioids, is a primary driver of fatal overdoses.8
Barriers to Treatment
While prescription drug abuse impacts both urban and rural areas across Kansas, the latter confronts additional barriers to treatment. These include significant transportation challenges, a scarcity of healthcare providers, and the pervasive social stigma surrounding addiction.
In response, Kansas has increased funding for treatment programs and actively distributes naloxone (Narcan), a life-saving medication used to reverse opioid overdoses. Community organizations also play a vital role by providing essential education and support services.9
Despite these concerted efforts, a gap in comprehensive addiction treatment still exists for many Kansas residents. This is precisely where Arista Recovery comes in, as we work hard to ensure that everyone who needs help gets the care they need.
Treating Prescription Drug Abuse at Arista Recovery
Arista Recovery offers comprehensive treatment for prescription drug abuse throughout Kansas. Located in Paola and Overland Park, our treatment centers provide evidence-based care with a compassionate approach.
Our levels of care include:
Medical Detox: Safe Withdrawal Support
Medical detox is often the first step in treating prescription drug abuse. This process allows the body to eliminate drugs while managing withdrawal symptoms safely. At Arista Recovery, medical professionals monitor patients 24/7 during detox.
Our detox team uses medications to ease withdrawal symptoms when appropriate. For opioid addiction, medications like buprenorphine or methadone can help reduce cravings and withdrawal discomfort. This approach, called medication-assisted treatment (MAT), is highly effective for many in recovery.
Residential Treatment: Intensive Healing Environment
Residential treatment provides intensive support for people with severe prescription drug abuse. Patients live at the facility while receiving comprehensive care, which removes them from triggers and temptations in their daily environment.
Arista Recovery's residential program includes individual therapy, group counseling, and educational sessions. Patients will also learn about addiction as a medical condition and develop coping skills for long-term recovery.
The residential environment creates a supportive community of peers in recovery. Patients share experiences and encourage each other through difficult moments. This peer support often continues long after treatment ends.
Outpatient Programs: Flexible Recovery Support
Outpatient programs at our Overland Park location allow people to receive treatment while maintaining work, school, or family responsibilities. Arista Recovery offers both a partial hospitalization program (PHP) and an intensive outpatient program (IOP).
Our PHP provides several hours of treatment each day while allowing patients to return home at night. IOP typically involves treatment sessions several times per week. Both programs include individual therapy, group counseling, and family education.
These programs work well for people with strong support systems at home. They also serve as step-down options for patients completing residential treatment.
Evidence-Based and Holistic Therapy Approaches
Arista Recovery uses both evidence-based and holistic therapies to help treat prescription drug abuse.
Some types of therapy options we may integrate into your care plan include:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT helps people identify and change thought patterns that lead to drug abuse. Patients learn to recognize triggers and develop healthier coping strategies, which is particularly effective for prescription drug abuse, as it addresses the thinking patterns that maintain addictive behaviors.
In CBT sessions, our therapists will work with each patient to help them develop practical skills for managing stress and cravings.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
DBT for prescription drug abuse focuses on emotional regulation and distress tolerance skills. As many people turn to prescription drugs to cope with intense emotions, DBT teaches healthier ways to manage these feelings without turning to substances.
The therapy includes mindfulness techniques, emotion regulation strategies, and interpersonal skills training. Patients learn to tolerate distressing situations without immediately reaching for medication. These skills prove invaluable for long-term recovery success.
Trauma-Informed Care
Many people with prescription drug abuse also have histories of trauma, which is why Arista Recovery provides trauma-informed care that addresses these underlying issues safely.
Trauma therapy helps people process difficult experiences without becoming overwhelmed. Therapists use specialized techniques designed for people with both trauma and addiction. This integrated approach improves treatment outcomes significantly.
Holistic Therapies
At Arista Recovery, we offer unique holistic therapies that complement traditional treatment approaches, such as:
- Art therapy, which allows people to express emotions they might struggle to verbalize.
- Equine therapy, which builds trust and emotional connection through interaction with horses.
- Horticulture therapy, which involves gardening and plant care activities. This helps people develop patience, responsibility, and connection with nature.
These activities provide healthy outlets for stress and anxiety that don't involve medication.
Family Support
Prescription drug abuse affects entire families, and family members often feel confused, angry, or helpless. This is why our team at Arista Recovery includes family education and therapy in our treatment programs.
Family sessions help loved ones understand addiction as a medical condition, and they also learn how to support recovery without enabling continued drug use.
Aftercare Programs
At Arista Recovery, we provide comprehensive aftercare support for graduates of our programs. This includes alumni groups, ongoing counseling options, and crisis support services. The goal is ensuring people have resources available whenever they need them.
Alumni programs create lasting connections between people in recovery for prescription drug abuse and other struggles. Former patients often become mentors for newer clients, and this peer support system extends the therapeutic community beyond formal treatment.
Take the First Step Toward a Life You Love
Prescription drug abuse is a serious medical condition that requires professional treatment. However, recovery is possible with the right support and treatment approach.
At Arista Recovery, we provide comprehensive, evidence-based treatment for prescription drug abuse throughout Kansas, where our programs address both the physical aspects of addiction and the underlying issues that contribute to drug abuse.
Integrated Care at Arista Recovery
Located in Paola and Overland Park, Arista Recovery offers convenient access to quality addiction treatment. Our treatment center’s full continuum of care means patients can receive appropriate treatment at every stage of recovery.
If you or someone you love is struggling with prescription drug abuse, help is available – contact Arista Recovery today for a confidential assessment. Our admissions team can answer questions about treatment options and insurance coverage.
Take that first step toward healing and reclaim your life from addiction. Arista Recovery is here to support you every step of the way.
Resources
- https://usafacts.org/answers/how-many-drug-overdose-deaths-happen-every-year-in-the-us/state/kansas/
- https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/treatment-tests-and-therapies/opioids
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3684331/
- https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/health-professionals-communities/core-resource-on-alcohol/alcohol-medication-interactions-potentially-dangerous-mixes
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7841856/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3277944/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK576550/
- https://nida.nih.gov/research-topics/fentanyl
- https://www.kdads.ks.gov/services-programs/behavioral-health/kansas-naloxone-program
