end addiction to prescription drugs

10 Warning Signs of Prescription Drugs Abuse

InnerBalance Health Center

September 8, 2017

10 Warning Signs of Prescription Drug Abuse
8
September, 2017
Prescription Drugs
Loved Ones
Teen Addiction

Right now prescription drug addiction in Colorado, and throughout the country is skyrocketing, especially with teens and young adults.

Prescription drug misuse and abuse is a serious problem both nationally and here in Colorado. Each year, overdose deaths from opioid painkillers alone number approximately 17,000 nationally and 300 in Colorado. Such deaths are now more common than alcohol-related traffic fatalities. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) call prescription drug overdose deaths one of the four most serious epidemics facing the nation.” Colorado Consortium for Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention.

“The most recent national statistics count more than 33,000 opioid-related deaths across the U.S. in 2015. Many victims are young, often in their 20s or 30s. Increasingly, many are white. But the plague touches all demographics: farmers and musicians, lawyers and construction workers, stay-at-home moms and the homeless.” –statforecast.com

10 Warning Signs

Are you concerned that your loved one may have an addiction?  Check out the 10 major warning signs of teenage prescription drug addiction:
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1. Change in friends:

When an addict starts using, quite often they will gravitate towards people that are doing the same thing. They will also pull away from friends and family they feel would disapprove or be disappointed in them.

2. Change in personality:

This can happen very quickly or escalate over time. Some changes can include lashing out, withdrawing from social activities, becoming depressed or even suicidal.

3. Increased secrecy:

It can be normal for a teen to want more privacy, but when you add addiction in the mix this need will increase, to the point that they might lash out or disappear for long periods of time.

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4. Unexplained need for money:

This is quite often paired with theft from family members. Either cash or something they can sell for money. The addict will also become upset or combative when pushed about what the money is for.

5. Frequent Unexplained injuries:

Drugs and alcohol will impair decision making as well as balance. Some addicts are also more likely to get into physical altercations due to potential mood swings caused by the chemical imbalances triggered by drug use. According to the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (NCADD), “Vehicle accidents are the leading cause of death among young people aged 16 to 19. When teens’ relative lack of driving experience is combined with the use of marijuana or other substances that affect cognitive and motor abilities, the results can be tragic.”

6. Missing household medications:

In America, prescription drugs are a 2.8 billion dollar industry. Any household that the addict has access to is a target. According to Monitoring the Future national survey results on drug use, 1975-2012, Ann Arbor: Institute for Social research, University of Michigan, “Many teens feel that prescription drugs are ‘safer to use’ than street drugs since they are prescribed by a physician. Teens state that they are ‘easier to get than beer’ because prescription medications are easily obtained from friends and family medicine cabinets.”

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7. Sudden Sleeping Changes:

Some medications such act as an “upper” and can keep an addict up for days. After the effects wear off, the user will “crash” and sleep for extended periods of time. Often it can be difficult to wake them up in this state. This is often experience by students that are feeling overwhelmed by their school work loads and feel like they need additional help to get everything done.

8. Poor Grades:

An addict will often lose interest in anything that doesn’t have to do with using and therefore not put effort into things like homework and school attendance. It can also be difficult to maintain focus when using.

9. Diet changes:

When an addict is under the effects of some medications they might go long periods of time with no appetite or suddenly overeat. It is also not unusual for teens to use prescription drugs to lose weight. These kinds of uppers can be very dangerous, causing high blood pressure and mineral deficiency.

10. Change in physical appearance:

These changes may include bloodshot eyes, widely dilated pupils, sudden weight loss or weight gain, poor hygiene, frequent nosebleeds, shakes or tremors, and red/flushed cheeks.

If you have a loved one that you suspect has an addiction problem, they likely have more than one of these symptoms.  If your loved one exhibits multiple symptoms, InnerBalance Recovery is here to help.  Download our FREE Guide to Surviving Addiction to discover more about what addiction is, how it can be treated and resources available to you as a caregiver.

We are also available to talk, answer questions and support you through the recovery journey. Call InnerBalance at 1-800-900-2252 to speak with our admissions coordinators today to start the journey of lifelong recovery.

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Discover the Missing Link in treating addiction. Learn about our holistic approach that truly incorporates mind, body, environment and spirit. Restoring biochemical imbalances as well as addressing nutrition, lifestyle and emotional support help our patients achieve lifelong sobriety as well as live happier and healthier lives. Addressing the root causes of addiction will help eliminate cravings that lead to addiction.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Does the best addiction treatment center offer Biochemical Repair & Restoration and how do they define Biochemical Restoration?

At InnerBalance Health Center, we strive to get the best addiction treatment to gain a better understanding of the psychological effects of addiction to drugs and/or alcohol.. As a component of our holistic addiction treatment process, we understand that there are certain biochemical imbalances that can make a person more prone to the addictive cycle.

By restoring chemical balance, a person is much more capable of overcoming their addiction. InnerBalance Health Center offers and is one of the foremost leaders in treating addictions using biochemical repair & restoration. We believe that biochemical imbalances can be pre-existing, or can come as a result of repeated drug and alcohol use over time. Learn more specifics about our holistic treatment here.

Is the staff available 24/7?

Yes, at InnerBalance Health Center clients have access to a staff member 24 hours a day 7 days a week.

Does the treatment center prescribe addictive medications such as benzodiazepines or opiates?

No, InnerBalance does not prescribe those types of medications, unless needed for temporary stabilization for withdrawal symptoms. We focus on identifying the root causes of cravings, repairing your body’s biochemical imbalances and teaching you the lifelong skills necessary to stay sober.

How does the treatment center plan to eliminate depression, anxiety, sleep problems, mood swings, and racing mind?

At InnerBalance we realize the need to find the root cause of these issues. For example, a racing mind can come from too much histamine in the brain, a condition caused Histadelia. When we find this condition through lab testing, we use the safe amino acids and vitamins that will lower histamine levels. Depression can come from under-functioning neurotransmitters, like serotonin.

Through urine testing, we check the serotonin receptors by looking at the Tryptophan levels, and then treat with the appropriate amino acids. Please call us for a more thorough description on how we can deal with underlying symptoms. These examples just scratch the surface of our biochemical restoration approach which is integral to our holistic treatment philosophy.

Is the treatment center licensed by the state?

Yes, the InnerBalance Health Center is fully and duly licensed by the State of Colorado.

Does the treatment program offer an exercise program that the client participates in?

The InnerBalance Treatment Program includes a mandatory weekly gym time. We encourage our clients to try the different gym facilities, including weights, pool activities, classes, etc. InnerBalance provides a high quality full service gym facility to their patients.

Contact Us

For questions about our addiction treatment program or availability, feel free to contact us.
For emergencies call 911 or visit your nearest hospital

1414 W. 28th Ave Loveland, CO 80538

support@innerbalancehealthcenter.com