Prescription Drug Addiction Treatment

What Is Prescription Drug Addiction?

Prescription drug addiction happens when a medication originally prescribed by a doctor, for pain, anxiety, sleep, or attention, is used in a way that wasn’t intended, and the body and brain come to depend on it. It’s different from illicit drug use in one important way: it often starts with a real medical need and a legitimate prescription, which can make it harder to recognize and harder to admit.

What Prescription Drug Misuse Looks Like

• Taking more of a medication, or taking it more often, than prescribed
• Running out of a prescription early and seeking refills ahead of schedule
• “Doctor shopping,” or seeing multiple providers for the same medication
• Using a prescription that belongs to someone else
• Noticeable mood or behavior changes
• Withdrawal symptoms, like anxiety, tremors, or nausea, when a dose is missed
• Continuing to use despite negative effects on work, relationships, or health

Which Prescription Drugs Are Most Commonly Misused?

• Opioids, like oxycodone, hydrocodone, and morphine, prescribed for pain and highly addictive even when taken as directed.
• Benzodiazepines, like Xanax, Ativan, and Klonopin, prescribed for anxiety or seizures, with a withdrawal that can be medically dangerous.
• Stimulants, like Adderall and Ritalin, prescribed for ADHD and sometimes misused for focus or weight loss.
• Sleep aids, like Ambien, prescribed for insomnia and capable of causing dependence with regular use.
• Antidepressants, which aren’t typically associated with a “high” but can still cause withdrawal symptoms, sometimes called discontinuation syndrome, if stopped abruptly.

What the Research Shows

Nearly 80% of people who use heroin report misusing prescription opioids first. In 2021, opioid-related overdoses accounted for 2,267 deaths in Massachusetts, about 88% of all overdose deaths statewide that year. Nationally, an estimated 52 million people aged 12 and older, about 18.4% of that population, have misused a prescription drug at least once in their lifetime, according to SAMHSA.

Why Detox Is Often the First Step

Stopping a prescription medication isn’t always something you can safely do alone, particularly with benzodiazepines and opioids, where withdrawal can be medically serious and, in the case of benzodiazepines, life-threatening if stopped abruptly. A medically supervised detox manages withdrawal symptoms safely and prepares you for the next level of care.

Therapy Options

• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), to work through the thought patterns that drive misuse.
• Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), for emotional regulation and coping skills.
• Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), to build a relationship with difficult emotions and cravings that doesn’t rely on the medication.
• Relapse prevention therapy, to plan for triggers and high-risk situations.
• Group therapy and family therapy, for shared support and repairing relationships.
• A structured psychotherapy program that combines these approaches based on your history and the medication involved.

Treatment Options

• Day treatment (PHP). Structured therapy and medical support during the day.
• Evening treatment (IOP). A flexible schedule for people who need structured care but can’t step away from work or family during the day.
• Outpatient program. Regular counseling and group therapy while continuing daily responsibilities.
• Residential treatment. 24/7 care for more severe cases or when the home environment isn’t supportive.
• Medically supervised detox. For medications, especially benzodiazepines and opioids, where stopping safely requires medical oversight.
• Medication-assisted treatment (MAT). For opioid use disorder specifically, combining FDA-approved medications with counseling.
• Aftercare. Ongoing support once the most intensive phase of treatment is behind you.

We also offer programs tailored to LGBTQ+ clients and separate men’s and women’s programming, where that distinction supports recovery.

Is Treatment Covered by Insurance?

Most private insurance plans cover prescription drug addiction treatment when it’s medically necessary. Check your insurance; it’s free and doesn’t commit you to anything.

How Does the Admission Process Work?

Admission starts with an initial assessment, where our team reviews which medication is involved, how long it’s been used, and your overall health and mental health history. That evaluation determines whether detox is needed first and which level of care makes sense from there. Our admissions team then handles paperwork and coordinates with your insurance provider.

What Are the Costs of Treatment?

Cost depends on the level of care, whether detox is needed, and how long treatment lasts. We work with insurance providers and offer financial guidance to help manage expenses. Call us at (877) 920-6583 to get started.

Frequently asked questions