For those who are struggling with an addiction to prescription medication, doctor shopping can be a dangerous habit. When someone who has a dependency on prescription medication runs out of their prescription, they might go to a different doctor to try to get more. If you are struggling with prescription drug abuse, let our professionals at Georgia Addiction Treatment Center offer help.
What Is Doctor Shopping?
Many drugs, including opioids, require a prescription to access them. Those prescriptions are closely monitored. You cannot refill them until you are close to running out, according to the guidelines writing on the prescription by your doctor. Some people run out early because they take too many due to their addiction. They find themselves simply unable to overcome the craving and need.
As a result, they turn to another doctor in the hopes of having another new prescription written. This is doctor shopping – going from one doctor to the next to request access to the drugs. This can be a clear indication of addiction. It has also become much more difficult to do thanks to technology. If you are engaging in doctor shopping, it may be time to get help for opioid abuse.
Other Signs of Opioid Abuse and Addiction
How do you know you or a loved one is struggling with prescription drug abuse? It can be hard to tell especially if you are taking medications because you have real pain. However, there are a few key signs to look for that indicate opioid abuse is taking place:
- Running out of prescriptions early
- Stealing or borrowing pills from other people
- Using illicit forms of medications to get the same high
- Feeling pain and cravings when you do not have any
- Watching for your next dose to become available, and thinking about that next dose often
When you feel unable to control how much you are consuming, or you cannot get enough relief with the prescription you have, that’s an indication that you may need help for prescription drug abuse.
Becoming Addicted to Needed Medications
It’s often very difficult to recognize the early warning signs of addiction. You have pain. You take medication to control that pain. When the medication wears off, the pain comes back. You want to take more medication to ease it. Yet, there is a fine line that occurs here when it comes to pain treatment and addiction. What’s important to remember is that addiction is risky, as well. It can lead to a breakdown of your organs, reckless decisions, and even overdose. It’s essential to monitor your health even from prescription drugs you seem to need.
How to Get Help for Prescription Drug Abuse
Our team offers the tools you need to break through opioid abuse. Even if you are not engaging in doctor shopping right now, you may have thought about getting more of the drugs to reduce your symptoms. That’s an indication that it may be time to find additional help. Our compassionate and skilled counselors can offer help through a comprehensive set of therapies and resources. Learn more about each of our programs, including:
- Men’s drug rehab
- Women’s drug rehab
- Partial hospitalization program
- Intensive outpatient program
- Outpatient treatment programs
It’s Time to Heal – Call Georgia Addiction Treatment Center Today
Are you engaging in doctor shopping? It’s time to take control of your opioid abuse. Our team can provide you with the tools and strategies you need to overcome prescription drug abuse. All you have to do is to give us a call. Reach out to Georgia Addiction Treatment Center today and start on the path of healing. Call 833.641.0661 or reach out to us online now.
At Georgia Addiction Treatment Center, we understand that every person struggling with addiction is unique. That means that every person’s path to recovery must be unique as well. With more than 40 million Americans suffering at the hand of addiction, it is more important than ever that we address this crisis head-on. We specialize in helping patients who are battling substance use disorders. More specifically, treat the whole person by diagnosing the issues that lie beneath and feed their addiction. It is an approach that has made us one of the premier addiction treatment centers in the area. By learning more about Georgia Addiction Treatment Center and our unique approach, you can take the first steps on your road to recovery.