Prescription Drug Addiction - Pacific Brain Health

Home Conditions & Treatment Addiction Disorders Prescription Drug Addiction

What is Prescription Drug Addiction?

The use of prescription medications for non-medical reasons such as without a doctor’s prescription and supervision is dangerous and should never be done.

Even patients with addiction or abuse who are taking medications as prescribed and under a doctor’s supervision may need assistance in safely and comfortably tapering off medications especially pain medications and sedatives.

Problems with prescription medications may include:

Addiction
Overuse – taking more than prescribed
Misuse – taking for reasons other than prescribed such as to relieve stress, boost mood, or using pain medication to help sleep
Overdose, and physical dependence/withdrawal symptoms

If you or someone you know is in crisis, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (Lifeline) at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), or text the Crisis Text Line (text HELLO to 741741). Both services are free and available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The deaf and hard of hearing can contact the Lifeline via TTY at 1-800-799-4889. All calls are confidential. Contact social media outlets directly if you are concerned about a friend’s social media updates or dial 911 in an emergency. Learn more on the Lifeline’s website or the Crisis Text Line’s website.

Treatment
DRUG ADDICTION SCREENING TOOL

Prescription Drug Addiction Treatment in Los Angeles

A variety of options are available for treating a substance use disorder including:

Detoxification (stopping use safely/comfortably)
- May be done at an inpatient facility or possibly as an outpatient (at home)
Inpatient or residential treatment program (“Rehab”)
Outpatient counseling (“Relapse prevention”)
Medication-Assisted Therapy or Office-based Treatment. This is the model used by PNI Addiction Medicine.

If you think you may have a problem with drugs, alcohol, and/or prescription medications, take the following quiz, print out the last page, and bring it in to review with one of our clinicians.

NIDA Drug Screening Tool

Addiction Medicine Specialist

Dr. Keith Heinzerling practices internal medicine and is an addiction medicine specialist at the Pacific Brain Health Center, Pacific Neuroscience Institute. His clinical and research focuses are on the treatment of alcohol, drug and substance use problems, with anti-addiction medications.