Prescription Drugs

Recovery from substance abuse sometimes involves the use of prescription drugs. The main function of the medication is to ease the symptoms that occur as the body and mind undergo withdrawal. When a qualified physician prescribes the drugs and the condition of the patient is closely monitored, medication can be a valuable tool in helping the patient to move forward.

Unfortunately, there is a great deal of confusion about what prescription drugs can and cannot do as part of a drug rehabilitation treatment program. Here are some of the more common myths about the use of doctor prescribed medication while overcoming an addiction.

Far too many people see prescription drugs as some sort of magic bullet that makes everything fine in no time at all. Nothing could be further from the truth. Medication, when taken according to physician instructions, will ease withdrawal symptoms and alleviate strain on the major systems in the body. However, the medication does not take away the addiction. The addict must still go through a period of rehabilitation and adjustment of lifestyle and thinking.

A second myth regarding the use of prescription medication during rehabilitation is that all medicines are perfectly safe to use along with herbal remedies. This is a dangerous assumption. Depending on the type of medication administered by a physician, certain herbs may either nullify the effect of the drugs, or magnify the effect to a dangerous level. Before assuming that herbs would aid in recovery, it is a good idea to talk with the attending physician about what combinations of medicine and herbs can and cannot be taken safely.

At one point or another during the rehabilitation process, the addict is likely to manipulate the dosage of any prescription drugs taken as part of the recovery treatment. Sometimes the addict will assume the drug is no longer needed and begin to incrementally lower the dosage. Others may decide that if the prescribed daily dosage is having a positive effect, doubling the dosage will be twice as good and expedite rehabilitation. Not only is this incorrect, it can be fatal. The physician, not the addict, must initiate any changes in dosage. Otherwise, the situation is likely to worsen rather than improve.

A qualified physician will understand both the benefits and the risks associated with taking prescription drugs during a rehab program. The doctor can monitor for indications that the medication needs to be adjusted or discontinued in order to prevent the development of a new addiction. For this reason, anyone in a rehabilitation program must choose to follow doctor’s orders to the letter, and communicate regularly with the physician.

There is no doubt that prescription drugs, when taken under a doctor’s care and exactly as prescribed, can assist with recovery, but medication should never be thought of as some sort of miracle in a bottle. There is no substitute for hard work and dedication in overcoming an addiction. Choosing to work closely with the attending physician, rather than second guessing the decisions of the healthcare professional, will make a big difference in how long and how difficult the rehabilitation period ultimately turns out to be.

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