MY LOVED ONE NEEDS HELP WITH PILLS
You never want to believe that your loved one is vulnerable to prescription addiction, and it can be very hard to identify a problem. It’s easy to tell yourself that they’re just “having a bad day” and that the pills they’re taking for a diagnosed health issue have nothing to do with their behavior. It’s hard to accept that your parent, son, daughter, or spouse has fallen so far out of control. Little by little, however, their actions become more difficult to ignore and their need for help becomes glaringly apparent. If you suspect your loved one is struggling with a pill addiction, you’re not alone. The National Institute on Drug Abuse reports that over 18 million Americans misuse pills each year. It’s not your fault, but it is time to take action. Recovery Unplugged is ready to help your loved one overcome pill addiction and reclaim their life.
WHAT KIND OF PRESCRIPTION ADDICTION TREATMENT DOES YOUR LOVED ONE NEED?
Whether they’re struggling with oxycodone abuse after suffering a work injury or they’ve become addicted to Xanax as a result of a persistent anxiety disorder, Recovery Unplugged treats all kids with prescription drug dependency. The lines can very easily get blurred between legitimate use and abuse, and it’s important to understand the signs of each type of prescription addiction issue:
Your loved one may be addicted to pain pills if they’re experiencing:
- Constipation and Other Stomach Issues
- Nausea, Vomiting and Diarrhea
- Feelings of Euphoria
- Slowed or Shallow Breathing
- Drowsiness or Fatigue
- Confusion and Disorientation
- Poor Coordination
- Increased Tolerance Requiring Larger Doses
- increased sensitivity to pain with higher doses (hyperalgesia)
Your loved one may be addicted to benzos (anti-anxiety meds) if they’re experiencing:
- Drowsiness and Fatigue
- Confusion and Dysphoria
- Wabbly Walking
- Slurred Speech
- Inability to Concentrate
- Memory Issues
- Labored Breathing
Your loved one may be addicted to stimulants if they’re experiencing:
- Increased Alertness
- High or Euphoric Feeling
- Irregular Heart Rate
- High Blood Pressure
- Elevated Body Temperature
- Reduced Appetite
- Insomnia
- Agitation
- Anxiety
- Paranoia
They may also start to exhibit unusual, dishonest, and dangerous behaviors, such as stealing pills, forging or selling prescriptions, taking higher doses at more frequent intervals, watching the clock between doses, violent outbursts, and making generally poor decisions. Other behavioral signs include sleep disorder, dishonesty about use, doctor-shopping and more. If you notice your loved one is experiencing these issues and behaviors, it’s time to act to get them help.
MY LOVED ONE NEEDS HELP…WHAT’S THE NEXT STEP?
They may also start to exhibit unusual, dishonest, and dangerous behaviors, such as stealing pills, forging or selling prescriptions, taking higher doses at more frequent intervals, watching the clock between doses, violent outbursts, and making generally poor decisions. Other behavioral signs include sleep disorder, dishonesty about use, doctor-shopping and more. If you notice your loved one is experiencing these issues and behaviors, it’s time to act to get them help.
COMPASSION OVER CONFRONTATION
Approach your loved one directly about your concerns, but don’t judge them. They’re much more likely to listen to you if you talk to them like a human being rather than a problem you have to solve. They may still lie or get indignant about their pill abuse, but just be persistent, stay calm and let them know that you’re there to help.
KNOW THEIR ROUTINE
Know exactly how many pills they’re supposed to take and how often, and keep a close eye on their consumption. Knowing your loved one’s medication routine will help you know if they’re taking their pills at the appropriate times or are using them outside of their physician’s guidelines and recommendations. You don’t have to let them know you know, but this information is helpful to understanding the scope of their problem and how to help.
TALK TO THEIR DOCTOR
Let their doctor know about your concerns so they can be mindful of signs when it’s time to refill their prescriptions. Even if they can’t offer any patient information, they can still keep their own lookout for signs. This is not “overstepping” or a violation of trust, rather a legitimate attempt to determine the presents of a problem and try to affect change at the doctor’s office. You should also let your other loved ones know about this issue, as you shouldn’t be expected to shoulder this burden alone.
MAKE A PLAN FOR TREATMENT
Your loved one will likely refuse help at first, but it’s best to have treatment as coordinated as possible when they finally accept help and realize their issue. Whether this takes a serious legal issue, a serious health diagnosis or any other kind of “rock-bottom” scenario, it’s best to have a plan in place when they finally decide to get help.
RECOVERY UNPLUGGED IS STANDING BY 24-7 FOR YOU
When your loved one is ready to get help for their pill abuse, Recovery Unplugged is standing by to offer expert care, including medical detox and comprehensive behavioral rehab. We offer a variety of treatment programs, including inpatient, outpatient, partial hospitalization and more, and have locations all over the United States. Call our admissions staff so we can help you start guiding your loved one toward the treatment they need.
