Getting sober can be a difficult process, and this is why it’s so important to understand what will keep you sober. There are far too many people who relapse, but when you understand the specifics about using prescription drugs after recovery, you stand a better chance of avoiding it. In treatment, you’ll learn about which prescription drugs are safe and which ones aren’t. Twelve-step programs also have guidelines when it comes to prescription medications. There are some medications that you may need to take for pain or your mental health, so it’s crucial to know which ones can help or hurt your recovery.
Steering Clear of Opioid Prescription Drugs After Recovery
When people think of drug addiction, it’s common to think about illicit drugs, like heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamines. In reality, prescription drugs are a major problem, and there’s a massive epidemic in the United States. Drug companies, like Purdue Pharma, that played a major role in the drug epidemic are facing major lawsuits and even filing for bankruptcy as a result of this crisis. With so many people seeking prescription drug addiction treatment, you must be aware of which drugs might be addictive.
Prescription opioids are the primary reason why there’s a heroin epidemic. Most people who turn to heroin started by abusing prescription opioids. Heroin is a cheaper, more potent form of the medication, so many people turn to the drug when they build a tolerance or run out of the medication. This is why you need to prepare yourself to avoid this medication if a time comes when you’re offered the drug by a doctor. Although many medical professionals understand addiction, there are many doctors who don’t.
What If You Need Pain Medication?
If a time comes when you need to have surgery or get into an accident, and these medications are necessary for pain management, there are ways to do it safely. Programs like Narcotics Anonymous have pamphlets that explain how to take these medications while also avoiding relapse. Some of these methods include giving the medications to a sponsor or trusted loved one to give them to you as needed. Before you take these medications, you should do everything in your power to overcome the pain holistically because it’s better to be safe than sorry.
Mental Health Medications in Recovery
One of the primary risk factors for addiction, as well as relapse, is struggling with a mental illness. Mental illnesses can lead people to self-medicate, which can then lead to addiction. In order to prevent relapse, taking care of your mental health is a must, but some mental health medications can be addictive. Medications like Xanax and Adderall are often prescribed for anxiety and attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD), but they can also be extremely addictive. This is why it’s important to speak with professionals if you need mental health prescription drugs after recovery.
There are many doctors who prescribe medications like Xanax to help people with anxiety disorders because the drug acts quickly. Xanax is a tranquilizer that goes straight to the amygdala in the brain to help calm down your fight-or-flight response, but it also triggers dopamine. Although many people struggle with anxiety in recovery, there are many medications that are non-addictive that can help your anxiety as well as depression. In order to avoid returning to a prescription drug addiction treatment facility, you should know about the alternatives.
Two of the most common types of non-addictive prescription medications that help people in recovery are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs). Depression and anxiety can both be the result of a lack of serotonin and norepinephrine, which are neurotransmitters in the brain. Sometimes, your brain doesn’t produce or reproduce enough of these neurotransmitters, which is why these medications help.
Getting Sober and Staying Sober
You may also find that by simply staying sober, many of your symptoms of depression and anxiety begin to go away. Depression and anxiety can be episodic, which means they’re primarily the result of life circumstances. As your life begins to improve and you rebuild relationships, you become less depressed. Anxiety also begins to lessen when you’re not worrying about where you’re going to find the next drink or drug. All of these new tools will help you with feeling better while also avoiding relapse.
If you’re struggling with an addiction to drugs or alcohol, Sunflower Wellness Retreat can help. We specialize in addiction treatment, and we’re here to offer you solutions that don’t involve addictive medications. We have a caring, compassionate staff that will teach you new ways of living that don’t involve drugs or alcohol. Sunflower Wellness Retreat is also a dual diagnosis treatment facility, so we can help you begin managing any mental health struggles you may have. For more information about how we can help, give us a call today at 855.730.8825.
