Prescription Drug Abuse in the South and the Treatment Center to Help

Abusing prescription drugs may be as dangerous as using illegal substances. Using medication as prescribed by a physician or psychiatrist for the particular individual that it’s been prescribed to is the proper way to use prescription drugs. Prescription abuse is defined as taking a larger dose of medication than prescribed, taking it in a way that has not been prescribed, or taking medication prescribed for another individual.

Oxford Treatment Center provides substance abuse treatment by a compassionate team of licensed physicians and a professional staff. Located in Etta, Mississippi, it’s the perfect treatment center readily available to address the opioid crisis being faced in the South, particularly in the Magnolia State.

Oxford is an American Addiction Centers’ facility, a nationwide leader in addiction treatment, and treats a variety of substance use disorders, as well as alcohol use disorder. From alcohol, fentanyl, inhalants, meth, Ambien, cocaine, among many other substances, Oxford is here to help those battling with substance addictions.

Nearly 70% of individuals who abuse prescription drugs nationwide state that they receive the drugs from a friend or family member.

Over 115 Americans die every day due to an opioid overdose, and overdose deaths have doubled since the year 2000. As a matter-of-fact, in 2015, 33,000 individuals have been killed from either abusing prescription opioids or using heroin. This is a national epidemic. And specifically, Southern states, like Mississippi, have the most prescriptions per individual for opioid painkillers.

Individuals at the greatest risk for abuse:

• Veterans and soldiers.
• Individuals facing occupational injuries and are using prescription pain killers.
• Children who accidentally consume it (medication poisoning).
• Newborns suffering from withdrawal symptoms due to their mother’s abuse of prescription drugs while pregnant.
• 25% of adults receiving “long-term opioid prescriptions for non-cancer pain struggles with lifelong addiction.”
• 12-13 year-olds abusing prescription drugs.

Many individuals are at risk for opioid abuse. And that’s why Oxford Treatment Center is the perfect solution to an alarming epidemic. Not only do we offer specialized programs tailored to the needs of those who have faced trauma (Trauma Support Treatment Track) and a Veteran’s and First Responder’s Treatment Program, but we have multiple levels of care. This includes medical detox, standard outpatient, intensive outpatient program, partial hospitalization, residential treatment, and aftercare planning. We even offer a sober living option for those who, upon completion of their treatment program, need a safe and sober environment to live in order to help them to remain on track with their sobriety efforts.

Between deciding on getting help for an addiction and actually taking the first step into a treatment facility, there are other ways to start solving prescription abuse right now.

Small solutions to the crisis:

• Properly dispose of medications. Once you’re done with your treatment, review the label on the prescription to find out the safest way to dispose of the medication.
• Develop a pain management plan with your physician. This will ensure that you’re taking the correct dosage.
• Store medications securely. This includes tracking quantities and placing it in a medicine cabinet or in some other storage device that isn’t accessible to others.

And when you’re ready, remember that you’re not alone. Oxford Treatment Center is here to help you reach long-term sobriety one step at a time.