{"id":41,"date":"2013-10-03T12:23:33","date_gmt":"2013-10-03T12:23:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ssdev.co.za\/crossroads-old\/?page_id=41"},"modified":"2025-03-11T18:51:45","modified_gmt":"2025-03-11T18:51:45","slug":"prescription-drug-addiction","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/ssdev.co.za\/crossroads-old\/drug-addiction\/prescription-drug-addiction\/","title":{"rendered":"Prescription Drug Addiction"},"content":{"rendered":"<header><div class=\"contained\"><div><div><\/div><div class=\"content\"><h1>Prescription Drug Addiction<\/h1><a href=\"#recoveryModal\" class=\"btn submit\" data-toggle=\"modal\">Reach out now, we can help<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/header><div id=\"crumbs\" class=\"contained\" data-is-podcasts=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/ssdev.co.za\/crossroads-old\">Home<\/a>  \/  <span class=\"current\">Page<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns alignwide has-2-columns main-page is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<ul class=\"accordion wp-block-list\">\n<li>What is prescription drug addiction?\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>                 <p>No one &ldquo;decides&rdquo; to get addicted to prescription or over-the-counter medication.  Alienating family and friends, failing at work, engaging in small-time criminal activities is not what anyone plans when they swallow their first pill to ease a back ache, headache, depression or anxiety.                 Many people misuse a prescription drug or over-the-counter medication, at sometime in their life, but the overwhelming majority put the pills away with no lasting harm.<\/p><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><p>For people with an inherent vulnerability to addiction, taking pain pills can lead to an intoxicating rush that leaves the brain wanting more. Repeating the high reinforces the cycle, and sets the stage for addiction.<\/p><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><p>Experts are unsure of the exact number of people addicted to prescription drugs today, but all agree, addiction is escalating. This is partly due to aggressive marketing and wide spread availability.  There has been a massive increase in sales of these preparations in the last decade. <\/p><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><p>Responding to requests by patients and pain advocacy groups, doctors may have become more lenient when prescribing drugs. <\/p><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><p> In the pursuit of more efficient and quicker treatment more people are being exposed to these drugs than ever before, creating the potential for many more addicts.<\/p><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>To begin to understand addiction, you need to look deep inside the brain. Finding and eating food, drinking water, having sex, caring for children: these and other activities, necessary to survival, cause the reward system to release a tiny dose of dopamine, a &ldquo;feel good&rdquo; neurotransmitter. It feels good, and so we&rsquo;re likely to repeat that activity later on.                 <p>Repeated abuse of prescription or over-the-counter medication floods the system with dopamine, which contributes to the euphoric rush.<\/p><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><p>When a person with a predisposition to addiction, uses these drugs repeatedly, it causes the reward system to inappropriately learn that these drugs are as essential to survival as food or water. <\/p><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Dependence vs. addiction<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>There is an important difference between dependence and addiction. Anyone who takes prescription                     medication for more than a few weeks will develop tolerance and some physical dependence on the                     drug. Usually, these people are on stable, generally lower doses of medication. If they stop                     suddenly, they have withdrawal symptoms (usually mild). The symptoms go away, the person is                     &ldquo;detoxed,&rdquo; and they go on with life. <br><br>The person with addictive tendencies, abuses the drug to get high or to lessen anxiety. The repeated                     highs and rush of Codeine or Benzedrine in the brain create the brain changes that lead to drug                     addiction. The higher doses, and longer use make withdrawal an extremely unpleasant experience for                     them. The pleasure of getting high and the fear of withdrawal &ldquo;rewire&rdquo; the brain&rsquo;s reward pathway,                     leading to compulsive drug seeking, craving, and continued use despite negative consequences.<br><br>No matter what the active ingredient is,  these substances activate the                     same systems in the brain and body. In practice there is little difference between this addiction                     and any other addiction.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Harmful side effects\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Changes in behaviour that go along with prescription drug addiction:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Neglecting responsibilities <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Performing poorly at work<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Losing interest in sex<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Various physical symptoms such as  nausea, headaches or dizziness                                                <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><p>Withdrawal symptoms     <\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It is recommended that withdrawal be conducted under the care of trained medical professionals together with experienced, trained, addiction counsellors.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><p>Withdrawing from prescription medication by yourself can be life threatening.                                        <br><\/p><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"margin-top:40px;\" class=\"btn-we-can-help ugb-highlight\">If drugs are controlling your life, we can help.<\/span>\n<a class=\"link-green\" href=\"#recoveryModal\" data-toggle=\"modal\">TALK TO US NOW<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column treatment is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img width=\"636\" height=\"336\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7832\" data-src=\"https:\/\/ssdev.co.za\/crossroads-old\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/CRRC_PageTreatment_Image_02.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ssdev.co.za\/crossroads-old\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/CRRC_PageTreatment_Image_02.jpg 636w, https:\/\/ssdev.co.za\/crossroads-old\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/CRRC_PageTreatment_Image_02-300x158.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 636px) 100vw, 636px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">12 Steps<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">Drug Rehabilitation &amp; Recovery<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"> The idea of overcoming drug addiction may seem overwhelming, but recovery is possible at Crossroads Recovery Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><a href=\"\/drug-rehabilitation\">View our treatment program<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><a href=\"#recoveryModal\" data-toggle=\"modal\">Reach out now, we can help<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"a-call-away\"><div class=\"wp-block-column\">\n<h2>Addiction Rehabilitation &amp;<br>Treatment is <strong>a Phone Call Away<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The road to recovery is not always an easy one but getting yourself or your loved one the best care from the team at Crossroads Recovery Centres provides you with a map to sober, healthy living. No matter how bad things seem, there is hope and it&rsquo;s just a phone call away. <\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"contact-details inline\"><div class=\"icon tel\"><div><div>Johannesburg Admissions: <a style=\"color:#A2D23F;font-size: 1.2em;text-decoration: none;\" href=\"tel:+27748951043\">+27 74 895 1043<\/a><\/div><div>Outpatients Admissions: <a style=\"color:#A2D23F;font-size: 1.2em;text-decoration: none;\" href=\"tel:+27824589408\">+27 82 458 9408<\/a><\/div><div>Pretoria Admissions: <a style=\"color:#A2D23F;font-size: 1.2em;text-decoration: none;\" href=\"tel:+27826533311\">+27 82 653 3311<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n    <div class=\"testimonials\">\n      <div>\n        <h3>Stories of Recovery<\/h3>\n        <div>\n          <ul>\n                <li data-id=\"1\">\n              <div>The encouragement, love and support from the team at Crossroads allowed me to eventually see that I was worth something - that my life could be turned around and that I could accomplish the things that had long been a forgotten dream.<\/div>\n              <div><span>Oliver VG<\/span><\/div>\n              <a style=\"display: inline-block; margin-top: 24px;\" class=\"btn hollow\" href=\"\/testimonials\/oliver-vg\">Read more<\/a>\n            <\/li>\n                <li data-id=\"2\">\n              <div>On the last day of my stint at Crossroads I could only express gratitude towards all who works there. A wise councillor once commented on my question when one is ready for rehab by explaining that when one is ready for rehab, rehab is ready for you.<\/div>\n              <div><span>Johan B<\/span><\/div>\n              <a style=\"display: inline-block; margin-top: 24px;\" class=\"btn hollow\" href=\"\/testimonials\/johan-b\">Read more<\/a>\n            <\/li>\n                <li data-id=\"3\">\n              <div>I was lost and my soul was broken until I ended up at Crossroads and was introduced to the Twelve Steps. With the help of their excellent staff and amazing support I have recently been clean for 18 months, I could not have done it without them!<\/div>\n              <div><span>Carla S<\/span><\/div>\n              <a style=\"display: inline-block; margin-top: 24px;\" class=\"btn hollow\" href=\"\/testimonials\/carla-s\">Read more<\/a>\n            <\/li>\n                <li data-id=\"4\">\n              <div>\"Just for today I am more than three years in recovery.  I have Cross Roads to thank for this wonderful gift. Cross Roads helped me to set a firm foundation in my recovery on which I can continue to build.\"<\/div>\n              <div><span>Angelique J<\/span><\/div>\n              <a style=\"display: inline-block; margin-top: 24px;\" class=\"btn hollow\" href=\"\/testimonials\/angelique-j\">Read more<\/a>\n            <\/li>\n              <\/ul>\n          <div style=\"display: none\">\n            <a href=\"\/testimonials\" class=\"btn hollow\">Read more<\/a>\n          <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n      <\/div>\n      <div data-src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/testimonials-bg.jpg\"><\/div>\n        <div class=\"controls\" data-section=\"stories\">\n            <span class=\"left\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/wp-content\/themes\/crossroads2019\/img\/arrow-left-circle.svg\" alt=\"Left Arrow\"><\/span>\n            <span class=\"right\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/wp-content\/themes\/crossroads2019\/img\/arrow-right-circle.svg\" alt=\"Right Arrow\"><\/span>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n    \n\n\n\n<div class=\"medical-aids\">\n<h3>Approved Medical Aids<\/h3>\n<div>\n<div class=\"contained\">\n<div>\n<img itemprop=\"contentURL\" width=\"100\" height=\"45\" alt=\"Bestmed Logo\" data-src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/Bestmed-1.jpg\"><img itemprop=\"contentURL\" width=\"100\" height=\"45\" alt=\"Bonitas Logo\" data-src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/Bonitas-2.jpg\"><img itemprop=\"contentURL\" width=\"100\" height=\"45\" alt=\"CAMAF Logo\" data-src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/CAMAF-1.jpg\"><img itemprop=\"contentURL\" width=\"100\" height=\"45\" alt=\"Discovery Health Logo\" data-src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/DiscoveryHealth-1.jpg\"><img itemprop=\"contentURL\" width=\"100\" height=\"45\" alt=\"Fedhealth Logo\" data-src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/Fedhealth-1.jpg\"><img itemprop=\"contentURL\" width=\"100\" height=\"45\" alt=\"Government Employees Medical Scheme\" data-src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/GEMS-1.jpg\"><img itemprop=\"contentURL\" width=\"100\" height=\"45\" alt=\"Liberty Corporate\" data-src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/Liberty-1.jpg\"><img itemprop=\"contentURL\" width=\"100\" height=\"45\" alt=\"Medihelp Medical Scheme\" data-src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/Medihelp-1.jpg\"><img itemprop=\"contentURL\" width=\"100\" height=\"45\" alt=\"\" data-src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/Medshield-1.jpg\"><img itemprop=\"contentURL\" width=\"100\" height=\"45\" alt=\"\" data-src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/Momentum-1.jpg\"><img itemprop=\"contentURL\" width=\"100\" height=\"45\" alt=\"\" data-src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/Netcare-1.jpg\"><img itemprop=\"contentURL\" width=\"100\" height=\"45\" alt=\"\" data-src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/PnP-1.jpg\"><img itemprop=\"contentURL\" width=\"100\" height=\"45\" alt=\"\" data-src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/Polmed-1.jpg\"><img itemprop=\"contentURL\" width=\"100\" height=\"45\" alt=\"\" data-src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/ResolutionHealth-1.jpg\"><img itemprop=\"contentURL\" width=\"100\" height=\"45\" alt=\"\" data-src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/SasolMed-1.jpg\"><img itemprop=\"contentURL\" width=\"100\" height=\"45\" alt=\"\" data-src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/Sizwe-1.jpg\"><img itemprop=\"contentURL\" width=\"100\" height=\"45\" alt=\"\" data-src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/Topmed-1.jpg\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"addiction-types\"><div><div class=\"contained\"><h3>Types of Addictions<\/h3><div class=\"wp-block-columns has-5-columns\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column\">\n<h4>Drug Addiction<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Is drug addiction controlling your life? <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"button\"><a href=\"\/drug-addiction\/\">More info<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column\">\n<h4>Alcohol Addiction<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Do you have a problem with alcohol? <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"button\"><a href=\"\/alcohol-addiction\/\">More info<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column\">\n<h4>Sex Addiction<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Is sex addiction controlling your life? <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"button\"><a href=\"\/sex-addiction\/\">More info<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column\">\n<h4>Gambling Addiction<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Is your urge to gamble controlling your life? <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"button\"><a href=\"\/gambling-addiction\/\">More info<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column\">\n<h4>Food Addiction<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Is food your crutch?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"button\"><a href=\"\/food-addiction\/\">More info<\/a>  <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><p class=\"button-form\"><a href=\"#recoveryModal\" data-toggle=\"modal\">Reach out now, we can help<\/a><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Prescription Drug Addiction Reach out now, we can help Home \/ Page If drugs are controlling your life, we can help. TALK TO US NOW Drug Rehabilitation &amp; Recovery The idea of overcoming drug addiction may seem overwhelming, but recovery is possible at Crossroads Recovery Centre. View our treatment program Reach out now, we can [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":11601,"parent":31,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-41","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","entry"],"featured_image_urls_v2":{"full":["https:\/\/ssdev.co.za\/crossroads-old\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Drugs-1.jpg",600,399,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/ssdev.co.za\/crossroads-old\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Drugs-1-80x80.jpg",80,80,true],"medium":["https:\/\/ssdev.co.za\/crossroads-old\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Drugs-1-300x200.jpg",300,200,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/ssdev.co.za\/crossroads-old\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Drugs-1.jpg",600,399,false],"large":["https:\/\/ssdev.co.za\/crossroads-old\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Drugs-1.jpg",600,399,false],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/ssdev.co.za\/crossroads-old\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Drugs-1.jpg",600,399,false],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/ssdev.co.za\/crossroads-old\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Drugs-1.jpg",600,399,false],"alm-thumbnail":["https:\/\/ssdev.co.za\/crossroads-old\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Drugs-1-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"post-thumbnail":["https:\/\/ssdev.co.za\/crossroads-old\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Drugs-1.jpg",600,399,false]},"post_excerpt_stackable_v2":"<p>Prescription Drug AddictionReach out now, we can helpHome \/ Page What is prescription drug addiction? No one &ldquo;decides&rdquo; to get addicted to prescription or over-the-counter medication. Alienating family and friends, failing at work, engaging in small-time criminal activities is not what anyone plans when they swallow their first pill to ease a back ache, headache, depression or anxiety. Many people misuse a prescription drug or over-the-counter medication, at sometime in their life, but the overwhelming majority put the pills away with no lasting harm. For people with an inherent vulnerability to addiction, taking pain pills can lead to an intoxicating&hellip;<\/p>\n","category_list_v2":"","author_info_v2":{"name":"admin","url":"https:\/\/ssdev.co.za\/crossroads-old\/author\/admin\/"},"comments_num_v2":"0 comments","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ssdev.co.za\/crossroads-old\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/41","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ssdev.co.za\/crossroads-old\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ssdev.co.za\/crossroads-old\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ssdev.co.za\/crossroads-old\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ssdev.co.za\/crossroads-old\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=41"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/ssdev.co.za\/crossroads-old\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/41\/revisions"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ssdev.co.za\/crossroads-old\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/31"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ssdev.co.za\/crossroads-old\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/11601"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ssdev.co.za\/crossroads-old\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=41"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}