Did you know that addiction is a disease? It’s true and verifiable by the American Medical Association. So, if you know someone who is addicted to drugs or alcohol, it’s not their fault. Addiction changes the brain chemistry, which can result in some erratic behavior. The good news is that this disease can be treated.

Prescription pill addiction is especially problematic because it begins with a false sense of security. People think they can rely on these pills because the doctor prescribed them. But if you abuse any addictive substance, you will eventually become an addict.

We can’t say that we can cure addiction because an addict will always have a greater tendency to abuse substances than someone who wasn’t addicted. But many people kick their addictions and remain sober for the rest of their years.

Here are some different treatment options for prescription pill addiction:

Behavioral counseling

Psychologists use various forms of behavioral counseling to help rehabilitate a recovering addict. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is one of the most common forms used to treat addiction. With CBT, addicts are put into role-playing positions where they learn how to handle real-life scenarios without drugs or alcohol.

Medication

Medically assisted treatment is common for addicts who are just weaning off the drugs. This is because medications can help lessen the symptoms of withdrawal. Withdrawal symptoms can range from mild to severe, depending on the person. And although drugs aren’t ideal for an addict, they may help make the difference between recovery and relapse.

Medical devices and applications

There are some cutting-edge medical devices designed to treat addiction withdrawal symptoms. One such device is the NSS-2 Bridge. This device looks a bit like a hearing aid and attaches behind the user’s ear. It emits electrical impulses that are meant to help regulate pain in order to help with the physical withdrawal phase. A patient would use this device for up to five days when physical withdrawal symptoms are at their worst.

Evaluation for co-occurring mental health

Mental health issues, such as depression and anxiety are commonly diagnosed in people who also suffer from addiction. These and other mental health issues must be addressed alongside the addiction to give the patient his best chance for recovery. Many times, patients self-medicate mental health issues with drugs or alcohol, so any present issues may be at the root of addiction.

Long-term follow-up

Addiction cannot be cured, so it’s crucial that any treatment program involves long-term follow-up sessions. This could be as simple as attending regular AA or NarcAnon meetings, but it must be done in order to proactively prevent relapse.

If you or someone you love is addicted to prescription pills, there is hope. With treatment, addicts can live out the remainder of their lives without drugs or alcohol. However, there is one important prerequisite. The person who is addicted must choose this path. It’s important that the person who enters a recovery program wants to be there.

Have you been through addiction recovery? Which treatment did you find most effective?