Prescription medication addiction treatment in Melbourne

When pain management becomes addictive and unmanageable

Prescription medications are just as addictive as other substances. The Hader Clinic helps patients break the cycle of addiction with prescription drug addiction treatment.

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Entry into treatment for prescription drug abuse begins with speaking to a recovery specialist. Immediate admission can be offered to patients in crisis.

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How we treat prescription medication addiction

The term 'prescription medication' covers a range of legal drugs provided by medical and allied health professionals. These are usually administered to address pain, anxiety, and a range of physical, emotional, and psychological afflictions. However, when these active drugs are used outside of legitimate prescriptions, they become prone to abuse and addiction.

Our holistic prescription drug rehab program takes place at our private hospital. Treatment begins with prescription drug detox. Each patient then receives a personal treatment program encompassing group and individual therapy, including art therapy, sport and recreation, and family therapy. The Hader Clinic’s approach to prescription drug addiction rehab gives patients the best possible chance at long-term recovery.

The Hader Clinic explains how addicts are not able to predict how much they are going to use once they start using or control their use.

The signs of prescription drug addiction

For the purposes of discussion, we define prescription medication addiction as any use of a controlled substance outside of its prescribe dosage.

Due to the varied nature of prescription medications and their broad effects on the body, it is quite difficult to define the signs of prescription medication.

As this is the case, the general signs of prescription drug addiction are largely behavioural in nature, and can be identified with a keen eye.

Here are some things to look out for if you think a loved one may need to seek treatment for prescription drug abuse:

  • Secretive or suspect behaviour
  • Stealing or forging prescriptions
  • Drastic changes in sleeping patterns
  • Varying changes in energy levels
  • Mood swings and hostility
  • Taking higher doses of medication
  • Complete reliance on the substance
  • Doctor shopping for more prescriptions

The effects of prescription medication addiction

Abusing prescription medication can have a range of negative effects, depending on the drug. The Hader Clinic’s prescription drug rehab program helps patients manage and overcome them.

Physical

  • Increase in blood pressure and blood sugar
  • Irreversible brain damage or heart attack
  • Slow, struggled breathing
  • Blurred vision and problems focusing
  • Impaired coordination
  • Blacking out and coma
  • Nausea and constipation
  • Changes in the structure and function of the brain
  • Disturbed sleep and eating habits
  • Cravings and unmanageable tolerance

Psychological

  • Psychosis and hallucinations
  • Decreased cognitive function
  • Triggers, compulsion, and obsession
  • Compulsive lying and denial

Emotional

  • Fatigue and listlessness
  • Depression and anxiety
  • Memory loss and mood swings
  • Paranoia, fear, psychosis and aggression

Social

  • Doctor shopping to obtain multiple prescriptions
  • Asking others for their scripts
  • Increase in risky behaviour
  • Financial problems
  • Sexual and romantic issues
  • Lack of interest in activities, work, and friends
  • Damaged relationships
  • Isolation from family and friends
  • Complete ignorance of obligations

Spiritual

  • Damaged self-esteem and self-worth
  • Damaged relationship with self
  • Inability to function without prescription medication
  • Continued use despite negative consequences
We work with private health funds to support our patients.
Learn about private health insurance

Withdrawing from prescription medication

Withdrawals from prescription medication can vary from drug to drug. Withdrawal can be especially dangerous if the patient’s body has developed a heavy reliance. An unsupervised prescription drug detox can result in respiratory failure, seizures, coma, and even death.

Other withdrawal symptoms include:

  • Confusion or delirium
  • Drowsiness or inability to stay awake
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Depressed, or slowed breathing
  • Nausea and constipation

We can carefully monitor and manage the side effects of your withdrawal at our prescription drug detox centre. The Hader Clinic employs a highly specialised, multidisciplinary team to help address the physical symptoms of withdrawal, and get started on tackling the psychological machinations of ongoing prescription medication addiction.

Take action on prescription medication addiction

Frequently asked questions about prescription drug rehab

What's the safest way to take prescription medication without risking addiction?

The safest way to take any medication is precisely as the doctor ordered. Upping your dosage or decreasing the time between doses can be a slippery slope towards addiction. Like many other drugs, the more prescription medication you take, the more you need to feel its effects.

If you feel like you are becoming reliant on prescription medication, or you are no longer feeling its effects, talk to your GP before seeking prescription drug rehab. Your GP will be able to give you first-step options to look at to ensure that you remain free from prescription medication addiction.

How did my loved one get addicted? They are usually so smart.

Addiction has absolutely nothing to do with intelligence. It has nothing to do with race, religion, gender, income, or upbringing. It does not discriminate, and at The Hader Clinic, we see people afflicted with prescription medication addiction who come from all walks of life.

It's important to remember that addiction is just that — an affliction. It is a disease that is diagnosable and treatable. The Hader Clinic is a fully accredited and private prescription drug addiction rehab facility. We address all stages of recovery, from the first stage of withdrawal and detox, to ongoing outpatient support.

We Specialise in Prescription Drug Addiction Treatment

We offer prescription drug rehabilitation programs and treatments for all prescription medication additions. Below are some of the prescription drugs we offer detox and rehab support. Navigate to the pages below or contact us directly to discuss our treatment options for prescription drug abuse.

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Education about prescription drug rehab

Essendon

Inpatient Rehabilitation Program and Transitional Housing program.

150-152 Cooper St, Essendon VIC 3040
Essendon location
Geelong

Hospital rehabilitation centre for 28-Day Withdrawal & Detox Program.

6-8 Townsend Road,
St Albans Park VIC 3219
GEELONG LOCATION

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