Leading Prescription Drug Detox Center in Virginia

Understanding prescription drug withdrawal

When a person has become dependent upon a prescription drug, his or her body will adapt to the presence of this substance. When the individual stops or significantly reduces his or her abuse of the substance, his or her body may quickly experience a variety of distressing symptoms. This experience is known as withdrawal.

When a person is addicted to a prescription drug, withdrawal symptoms will occur whether or not the absence of the drug is by choice or because the person was incapable of acquiring the drug. Thus, while a desire to end one’s prescription drug abuse can initially be a motivating factor, it will not forestall the onset of the many painful symptoms that will occur during withdrawal.

The specific symptoms that a person will experience while going through prescription drug withdrawal may vary depending upon several factors, including what type of drug or drugs the individual had been abusing, the amount that he or she had been abusing, and the length of time that he or she had been engaging in this behavior. Examples of common withdrawal symptoms from opioid-based prescription drugs include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, intense abdominal cramping, and muscle pain. Withdrawal symptoms that often occur among individuals who have become dependent upon benzodiazepine-based prescription drugs include agitation, heart palpitations, muscle pain, tremors, nausea, anxiety, and panic. Withdrawal from both types of prescription drugs is also likely to include powerful cravings for the drugs.

When a person attempts to endure withdrawal without professional help from a reputable addiction treatment center, the severity of these symptoms, and the knowledge that they can be alleviated merely by once again ingesting a prescription drug, can overwhelm even the strongest desire to get clean. When a person is not successful at ending his or her prescription drug abuse, the resulting sense of shame, failure, and frustration can push him or her even deeper into the downward spiral of substance abuse.

The importance of prescription drug detox

It is no secret that prescription drugs have had a dramatically positive impact on the lives of children, adolescents, and adults throughout Virginia, the United States and across the globe. Prescription drugs have played an essential role in alleviating physical pain, easing psychological distress, preventing infections, protecting against the spread of disease, and many other noble pursuits.

Unfortunately, the many benefits of widespread access to prescription drugs did not occur in a risk-free environment. Many people who were prescribed certain prescription drugs have abused these drugs, and many others have illicitly acquired prescription drugs in an attempt to self-medicate or to achieve a recreational high. Regardless of an individual’s reason for abusing a prescription drug, the behavior exposes him or her to significant dangers, including the development of an addiction.

Opioids and benzodiazepines are two categories of commonly abused prescription drugs that expose individuals to addiction. Opioid-based prescription drugs are commonly prescribed to treat individuals who have been experiencing pain. Prescription drugs that contain benzodiazepines, or benzos, are often employed to treat individuals who have been struggling with anxiety, panic, and related symptoms.

When a person becomes dependent upon a prescription drug, he or she will begin to lose the ability to control his or her behavior. In addition to struggling to control the amount and frequency of his or her prescription drug abuse, an addicted individual may also begin to prioritize prescription drug abuse over personal relationships, occupational commitments, and other essential responsibilities.

The good news about prescription drug addiction is that this is a treatable condition. With proper, professional assistance from a reputable addiction treatment center, individuals can overcome the urge to engage in this self-defeating behavior, regain control over their thoughts and actions, and resume their pursuit of a healthier, drug-free future.

However, in order to be accepted into most effective treatment programs, an individual must not be actively engaging in the abuse of prescription drugs. Depending upon the duration, nature, and severity of a person’s prescription drug addiction, attempting to end this behavior can be an extremely daunting endeavor.

Benefits of detoxing from prescription drugs at Life Center of Galax in Virginia

The detoxification program at Life Center of Galax features around-the-clock care to maximize safety and minimize discomfort. Depending upon an individual’s substance abuse history and current withdrawal symptoms, the professionals who staff our detox program may be able to prescribe certain medications to alleviate the discomfort of withdrawal. They will also provide therapeutic support to help manage any physical or psychological distress and to ensure a successful detox experience.

While in detox, men and women will not have access to the prescription drugs that they had been abusing, which means that they will have no risk of relapse. The safety and continued wellbeing of all who complete our detox program with us is our top priority, and we work diligently to ensure that no one in our care becomes a risk to him or herself or to anyone else.

The many advantages of completing detoxification at Life Center of Galax are not limited to the time that a person is in the detox program.

For example, having a successful treatment experience in our detox program can benefit an individual for months and years to come. Following the despair and degradation of prescription drug addiction, being successful in detox can help an individual to recognize his or her true potential, and can help him or her to develop the positive mindset that will be essential to overcoming challenges to his or her continued recovery.

Also, the enhanced mindset that can develop in detox can be accompanied by improved health and increased physical strength. In addition to stopping the continued damage of prescription drug addiction, detox can also be a time of growth and healing, as a person’s body begins to strengthen itself. This renewed appreciation for one’s health, along with a greater understanding of the importance of a healthy mind-body connection, will also be an essential asset in the individual’s recovery journey.

Finally, when a person completes our detox program for prescription drug addiction, he or she can make a seamless transition directly into residential or outpatient prescription drug addiction treatment without having to step off our campus. This continuity ensures that there will be no gaps in the individual’s treatment and will protect him or her from the stresses, pressures, and other triggers that can threaten to undermine the progress that he or she made in detox.

At Life Center of Galax, the men and women of Virginia are able to rid their bodies of prescription drugs in a safe and comfortable environment, with the assistance of compassionate professionals who are experienced at guiding individuals through this process. For more information about detox, residential and/or outpatient treatment options for prescription drug abuse, or any other aspects of our addiction treatment center, please feel free to contact us at your convenience. We look forward to answering all of your questions and helping you decide if Life Center of Galax is the ideal place for you or a loved one.