Addiction to Prescribed Medication
One in four adults in England are taking addictive, prescription drugs to treat a range of conditions ranging from depression, anxiety, insomnia, and chronic pain; that's almost 12 million people.
Some Facts About Prescription Medication
Addiction to prescription medication has a distinct socio-economic aspect, with the highest prescribing rates taking place in regions of most significant social deprivation. Antidepressant prescriptions are rising, with a particular increase among women and older adults. 25% of UK adults have been prescribed antidepressants, tranquillisers, opioid painkillers, or sleeping pills and have been taking them for at least twelve months.
While there’s a range of treatments designed to help an individual overcome addiction to illegal and recreational drugs, those who find themselves addicted to prescription medications often find themselves with nowhere to turn.
People misunderstand prescription drugs because they're told to take them by a trusted medical professional.
How Does Addiction Occur?
Addiction occurs as prolonged exposure to opioids increases nerve sensitivity; this leads previously non-painful stimuli to become painful over time, so you take more prescription medication to overcome the new pain - and the circle of addiction emerges.
Addiction to prescription medication can happen to anyone.
The Signs of Prescription Drug Addiction
- Preoccupation with your medication supply and when you can take the next dose.
- Taking more medication than your doctor advises
- Considering changing doctors because your doctor is refusing to prescribe more medication
- Sourcing additional medication from dubious sources
- Continuing to take medication after the condition has healed - i.e., still taking drugs even though a bone healed over six months ago.
This is where we can help
Addiction emerges in a variety of ways, and everyone's experience is different. While there's no one-size-fits-all treatment, there are successful approaches that can help you overcome your addiction.
We employ a range of therapeutic strategies suited to your particular needs. By recognising the impact your addiction is having on your life, we can develop a range of practical treatment approaches that treat the root cause of your addiction.
For example, medication numbs the root cause of your depression or anxiety; it doesn't treat it. So, until you address the stresses and traumas that have caused your pre-medication condition, those problems will remain.
Carl Gustav Jung
A Combination of Therapies Designed For You
We use a combination of psychotherapeutic, counselling, and coaching strategies to help you gain valuable insight into the situations that have prompted your addiction. By recognising and acknowledging the causes of your pre-medicated condition, you can finally address the emotional states that have been numbed by your medication. And - by dealing with your problems at their source - you can emerge from the distressing hold of your addiction.
Get in touch
For help with overcoming an addcition to prescription drugs you can reach us by phone on 0333 339 2430 at any time, or contact us by email to discuss any questions about addiction recovery therapy.
Contact Us by email