Prescription Drug Abuse
Addiction to prescription drugs is rapidly on the rise and is one of the leading causes of emergency room admissions. At Alexian Brothers Behavioral Health Hospital we believe that prescription drug abuse is a serious medical disorder that is progressive in nature. If left untreated it will usually result in psychological, physical, social and spiritual deterioration of the individual, damage to the individual's family, and can ultimately lead to premature death.
Warning Signs
- Increase in use of medications due to lack of effectiveness from prescribed dosage.
- Feeling irritable, depressed, and anxious while waiting until scheduled time to take next dose.
- Starting to take dose earlier or more often than prescribed in order to prevent withdrawal symptoms.
- Unsuccessful repeated attempts to cut down or control use.
- Family and/or friends have started to question or comment on pill usage, or continued use has caused problems or made existing problems worse (such as increased arguments).
- Seeking medication from a doctor even when another doctor has advised not to take the medication or has refused to provide the medication or refills.
- Seeking treatment from multiple doctors and not informing each doctor of full prescription history and use.
- Rearranging one's schedule or planning activities around times to take medications.
- Continued use has caused you to miss or fail to fulfill major obligations at work, school, or home.
- Driving or operating machinery despite label warning not to do so.
Who We Treat
We offer free, confidential assessments of your treatment needs.
For more information, or to speak with a counselor 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, please call 1-800-432-5005.
