Prescription Drug Addiction Treatment Center & Rehab in Chantilly, Virginia

There are various types of prescription medications that run the risk of becoming addictive. When someone develops an addiction to a substance, it is clinically known as a substance use disorder. A substance use disorder occurs when a person’s body has become physically dependent on a substance to be able to function.  

There are several categories of prescription medications adolescents can become addicted to, including stimulants, opioids, benzodiazepines, and additional sedatives and hypnotics. Understanding the different medications can help families recognize when occasional use may have shifted to something that warrants professional attention. 

Stimulants 

Prescription stimulants are most often used to treat conditions like attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). They increase alertness, focus, and energy by raising levels of certain chemicals in the brain. Adolescents sometimes misuse stimulants to study longer, suppress appetite, or experience a sense of heightened confidence. Over time, abusing stimulants can disrupt sleep, strain the cardiovascular system, and contribute to mood instability. The fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, text revision (DSM-5-TR) classifies this type of addiction as stimulant use disorder. 

Opioids 

Opioid medications are typically prescribed to treat moderate to severe pain. They attach to receptors in the brain and body that manage pain perception and reward, which can produce feelings of relaxation or euphoria when the medication is misused. Opioids are among the most habit-forming prescription drugs, and tolerance can build rapidly. The DSM-5-TR classifies this type of addiction as opioid use disorder. 

Benzodiazepines 

Benzodiazepines are commonly prescribed to ease anxiety, calm panic attacks, or manage certain seizure conditions. They slow activity in the central nervous system, producing a sedating, relaxing effect. Because the body adapts to their presence relatively quickly, an adolescent who misuses these medications may start to need higher doses of it to feel the same relief. Additionally, if they suddenly stop taking the medication, it can trigger withdrawal symptoms. The DSM-5-TR classifies this type of addiction as sedative, hypnotic, or anxiolytic use disorder.  

Sedatives and hypnotics 

Sedative and hypnotic medications, which are sometimes referred to as sleep aids, are prescribed to help people fall asleep or stay asleep. Like benzodiazepines, they depress central nervous system activity. Adolescents who misuse these medications may take them in higher doses than prescribed, combine them with other substances, or use them to escape stress, all of which raise the risk for dangerous sedation. The DSM-5-TR classifies this type of addiction as sedative, hypnotic, or anxiolytic use disorder.

Because prescription medications are legal and frequently found in family medicine cabinets, the early signs of misuse can be easy to overlook. However, there are some common signs and symptoms that may indicate that an adolescent is struggling with a prescription drug addiction, such as: 

• Taking a medication in larger amounts or for longer periods of time than was originally intended 

• Wanting to cut back or stop using the medication but finding that they cannot stop 

• Devoting a lot of time to obtaining the medication, using it, and recovering from its effects 

• Experiencing powerful cravings or a persistent urge to use the medication 

• Failing to keep up with responsibilities at school, at home, or in social settings because of medication use 

• Continuing to use the medication despite recurring problems in relationships with family and friends 

• Stepping away from hobbies, activities, or social connections that once were important 

• Using the medication in physically hazardous situations, such as before driving 

• Continuing to use the medication even after recognizing that it is causing or worsening a physical or psychological problem 

• Needing more of the medication to achieve the desired effect 

• Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when the medication use is reduced or stopped, or when using the substance again to eliminate those distressing symptoms 

It is important to note that the symptoms a person experiences will vary depending on the specific type of prescription drug they are using. 

Behavioral changes can accompany prescription drug addiction as well. Families may notice milling pills, prescriptions running out earlier than expected, requests for refills from multiple doctors, secrecy about whereabouts, shifting friend groups, declining grades, or unexplained changes in mood, energy, or sleep. 

If your child is showing any of these signs, it is important that you seek professional help. 

A prescription drug addiction does not normally stay the same when it goes unaddressed. This type of condition tends to follow a progressive course, and an adolescent who does not receive prescription drug addiction treatment may face mounting consequences that touch nearly every part of their life. 

Possible outcomes of untreated prescription drug addiction include: 

• Declining academic performance, including failing grades, suspension, or expulsion 

• Worsening physical health, with effects that will differ depending on the type of prescription medication an adolescent is using 

• Cardiovascular strain or sleep disruption 

• Dangerous respiratory problems 

• Development or intensifying of mental health conditions such as anxiety or depression 

• Increasingly severe withdrawal episodes as physical dependence on the substance becomes stronger 

• Strained or fractured relationships with family and friends 

• Legal trouble connected with obtaining or possessing prescription medications 

• Accidental overdose 

• Thoughts of self-harm or suicide 

Every adolescent who enters prescription drug addiction treatment at our rehab center in Chantilly, Virginia, takes part in a thorough clinical assessment. You can reach our admissions team at any time, and an admissions specialist will complete an evaluation to determine whether residential treatment is the right fit for your child. This careful intake process allows our team to design an individualized prescription drug addiction treatment plan that reflects each adolescent’s history and specific needs. 

Depending on the results of the assessment, a patient’s personalized treatment plan at our Chantilly adolescent rehab center may include the following services: 

• On-site detoxification: For young people who need physical support after stopping their use of prescriptions drugs, we offer medical detox services that are supervised by a physician and registered nurses. Detox typically lasts two to five days. Because withdrawal from prescription medications can cause medical complications, monitored detox can be an especially important first step. Once an adolescent is medically stable, they can take part in therapeutic activities. 

• Basic medical care: Although our rehab center is not equipped to manage complex medical conditions, a medical doctor and registered nurses provide routine health monitoring. Adolescents may meet with medical staff on a schedule that ranges from daily to weekly depending on their specific needs. 

• Individual therapy: Licensed therapists and counselors meet with adolescents for one-on-one therapy sessions, which are offered at least once a week. These confidential sessions give patients space to explore personal challenges, reflect on their progress, and adjust their treatment plans as needed. 

• Group therapy: Group therapy sessions are the main method of treatment we use at our Chantilly prescription drug addiction rehab center. These sessions are led by counselors and take place daily. In process groups and psychoeducation groups, patients can address and discuss a variety of topics, which may include peer pressure, relapse prevention, coping skills, healthy boundaries, self-esteem, and emotion regulation. 

• Family therapy: At Northern Virginia Adolescent Treatment Center, our team believes that families can play an essential role in helping young people achieve lasting recovery. Our therapists provide family sessions on an as-needed or as-requested basis, and loved ones are also encouraged to participate in family visitation and be involved in discharge planning. 

The clinical treatment modalities that are woven into our patients’ treatment plans are backed by research and have proved to be effective in helping adolescents who are struggling with prescription drug addictions. These clinical modalities can include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and principles drawn from the 12-Step model of recovery.

Northern Virginia Adolescent Treatment Center was built around a single belief: every adolescent who comes through our doors deserves a genuine chance at recovery. A unique funding partnership with Fairfax County allows us to admit young people regardless of their insurance status, helping ensure that families are not turned away when they need support most. 

At our Chantilly rehab center, adolescents receive prescription drug addiction treatment in a 16-bed building that was thoughtfully built in a circular layout around a small central courtyard, with programming, dining, recreation, and patient rooms all located under one roof. This allows our patients to build connections with their peers and also enjoy personal time for rest and relaxation while still feeling a sense of safety and security by remaining in one location. 

Our multidisciplinary team is highly trained in working with the adolescent population and consists of professionals from a variety of backgrounds, including: 

• Licensed professional counselors 

• Certified substance abuse counselors 

• Registered nurses 

• Licensed practical nurses 

• Psychiatrists 

• Medical doctors 

If your child is struggling with a prescription drug addiction, we encourage you to reach out. A member of our team can answer your questions, walk you through the admissions process, and help you determine whether our prescription drug addiction residential rehab center in Chantilly, Virginia, is the right place for your child and your family.