Prescription Drug Addiction Treatment
Addiction to prescription medications is a growing crisis, often unexpected and deeply disorienting. At Breathe Life Healing Centers, we provide compassionate, trauma-informed treatment designed to help you recover safely, step by step. Whether it’s painkillers, stimulants, sedatives, or dissociatives like ketamine, prescription drug addiction is treatable—and hope begins here.
What Is Prescription Drug Addiction?
Prescription drug misuse occurs when medications are used in ways not intended—taking higher doses, using someone else’s prescription, crushing pills to snort or inject, or mixing with other substances. This misuse can quickly spiral into addiction, regardless of how it started.(mayoclinic.org)
Commonly Abused Prescription Medications
Prescription drugs often misused fall into four categories:
Opioid Pain Relievers – including oxycodone (OxyContin®, Percocet®), hydrocodone (Vicodin®), codeine, morphine, fentanyl, methadone, hydromorphone (Dilaudid®), and oxymorphone. These are among the most widely misused prescription medications due to their powerful pain-relieving and euphoric effects.
Sedatives and Hypnotics – such as benzodiazepines like alprazolam (Xanax®), diazepam (Valium®), clonazepam (Klonopin®), barbiturates like pentobarbital (Nembutal®), and sleep aids like zolpidem (Ambien®).
Stimulants – including methylphenidate (Ritalin®, Concerta®), amphetamines (Adderall®, Vyvanse®), and dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine®), commonly prescribed for ADHD or narcolepsy.
Dissociatives – particularly ketamine, a medication used in medical and veterinary anesthesia and increasingly in controlled therapeutic settings for depression. However, when misused recreationally, ketamine can cause hallucinations, memory loss, dangerous dissociation, and long-term bladder or cognitive damage.(dea.gov) Even when prescribed by a doctor, these substances can become addictive and dangerous when used outside medical supervision.
Signs & Symptoms of Prescription Drug Misuse
Symptoms vary depending on the medication:
Opioids: drowsiness, nausea, slowed breathing, confusion, constipation, poor coordination, increased tolerance, and high risk of overdose.
Sedatives/Hypnotics: slurred speech, dizziness, impaired memory, slowed breathing, poor concentration, risk of fatal withdrawal.
Stimulants: heightened energy, reduced appetite, anxiety, insomnia, paranoia, high blood pressure, rapid heartbeat.
Ketamine: hallucinations, impaired motor function, disorientation, “out-of-body” experiences, urinary tract and bladder damage with chronic misuse.
Other red flags include:
Doctor shopping or forging prescriptions
Sudden mood swings, secrecy, or social withdrawal
Neglecting responsibilities at work, school, or home
Using higher doses than prescribed
Withdrawal symptoms when not using
Recognizing these signs early can prevent life-threatening complications.
Why Choose Breathe Life Healing Centers
1. Medically Supervised Detox
Withdrawal from prescription drugs, especially opioids, benzodiazepines, and ketamine, can be physically dangerous. Our expert medical team ensures safe detox with 24/7 monitoring, easing symptoms and reducing risks.
2. Whole-Person Healing
We believe in treating more than the symptoms of addiction. Our trauma-informed residential care integrates evidence-based therapies like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), Internal Family Systems (IFS), and EMDR with mindfulness, nutrition, and holistic healing.
3. Long-Term Recovery Support
From relapse prevention planning to alumni programs like BreatheOUT™, our care continues well beyond detox. You’ll gain the tools, community, and resilience needed to maintain lasting sobriety.
Take the First Step Today
Prescription drug addiction, whether to opioids, benzodiazepines, stimulants, or ketamine, can happen to anyone. You don’t have to face it alone. With the right support, recovery is possible.
Call Breathe Life Healing Centers today to begin your healing journey.
Get Help Now
Send us a message and a member of our team will be in touch shortly.