Prescription drug abuse in the American population has increased exponentially in the past decade, with unprecedented numbers of patients looking to find ways to end their overdependence on prescription medications. Due to this epidemic, we are faced with another major issue: an influx of patients who are genuinely treating medical conditions with the prescription medication while also dealing with substance abuse issues.

In these cases, traditional drug rehabilitation centers may not be the most effective approach. Prescription drug-specific rehabs are available but there are 3 common misconceptions that should be cleared up before attending. We’ve laid out the facts and present to you what’s true and what’s false about prescription drug addiction treatment.

False: Prescription medication is not allowed in treatment.

True: Most patients in prescription drug rehab find themselves taking a number of medications to help facilitate their recovery. However, almost every prescription drug rehab program that has patients who require prescription medication also employs doctors on staff to supervise intake. These in-house medical professionals use the patient’s medical history as the initial jumping board in making informed medical decisions. From there, the recovery process is a collaboration between other medical staff and counselors in order to create a proper medication regimen that fits with the ultimate goal of a sober lifestyle.

False: Prescription pill addiction is approached differently than “illegal” drug addiction.

True: Even if prescription drugs carry a different legal status than illicit street drugs, it is a chronic issue just the same. In fact, someone who abuses prescription drugs encounter the same set of problems that put an illicit drug user into rehab. If you are facing legal, occupational, social, medical or psychological consequences due to any mind-altering substance, you are most likely facing a serious drug abuse problem. And that is beyond any legal or illegal issues. In the case of prescription drug abuse, special consideration by counselors and medical professionals is needed in order to find alternative ways of providing necessary medications without placing the patients at risk of relapse or continuing abuse.

False: A prescription drug addiction and medical condition cannot be treated simultaneously.

Truth: Using and abusing prescription drugs are entirely different patterns of behavior and contrary to what you might think, there is a way to treat both your addiction and ailment at the same time. This requires, however, that the individual be honest and work with the right medical and recovery professionals. There are many programs available nationwide that cater to prescription drug abuse problems that also help to ensure that there are no lapses in the prescription drugs an individual may be medically required to take.

If you or someone you know is seeking help with addiction to chronic pain medication, please visit our directory of treatment centers or call 866-606-0182 to start the path to recovery today.