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Painkiller Addiction Treatment

Prescription Painkiller Addiction, Abuse and Finding Treatment in WA State

Prescription painkiller abuse and addiction were responsible for claiming the lives of tens of thousands of people every year. Drug detox and substance abuse treatment programs in Washington State are often necessary to help people get off these medications safely. Unfortunately, a lot of people do not realize their need for treatment.

Every opioid painkiller carries a risk of abuse, which can easily turn into an addiction. There are have been new prescription guidelines put in place, but so much damage has already been done. One of the biggest problems with these medications is that people consider them safer than street drugs. If anything, that false perception makes them even more dangerous. Here at Northpoint Seattle, we want to help people understand the risks of abusing prescription painkillers. But we also want them to know support is available. Our Painkiller addiction treatment program in Seattle can be the first step towards healing.

How Painkiller Addiction Has Impacted Washington

Washington State has not been conservative when fighting the opioid crisis. They have taken several steps, which has brought about some improvements, including:

  • Implementing safer opioid prescribing rules for practitioners.
  • Expanding access and the use of the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program.
  • Improving access to medication-assisted treatment.
  • Making Naloxone more available to people at risk for overdosing or their loved ones.
  • Providing training to prescribers to ensure they are educated on the risks of opioids.
  • Implementing a prescription drug take-back program to help collect old, unused addictive drugs.
  • Improving access to opioid-use disorder treatment programs.

While these are drastic changes, they have worked in our favor. Still, so many people continue to abuse prescription painkillers. They can easily be obtained on the streets, online, or from doctors who are overprescribing.

"We know of no other medications routinely used for a nonfatal condition that kills patients so frequently. We hope to see fewer deaths from opiates. That's the bottom line. These are really dangerous medications that carry the risk of addiction and death."
~Dr. Thomas Frieden, MD, Director of the CDC

Painkillers

What Opioid Medications Are the Most Addictive?

Because of these factors, there are 5 types of commonly-prescribed opioids that are particularly dangerous. The mere fact that they are so available means a significant percentage of patients will abuse them.

  • Hydrocodone
  • Oxycodone
  • Codeine
  • Hydromorphone
  • Oxymorphone
  • Fentanyl

Together, these six opioid classes account for over TWO HUNDRED MEDICATONS that could be given to you or your family.

Discover How Northpoint Seattle in Washington State Can Help With Recovery

Northpoint Seattle is an outpatient addiction recovery center with two locations. We have facilities in Seattle and in Bellevue, which are very convenient for people living in the local area. We are in-network with several health insurance companies because it allows us to keep our out-of-pocket costs low for our clients.

We typically work with two different types of clients. Some have never had any addiction treatment before. Others come to us after completing an inpatient stay at a different facility. For those new to painkiller rehab, we always refer them for detox first. This step should not be skipped, and when they are finished, they return to us for further treatment.

Our intensive outpatient program flexibility for people who need it to attend rehab. Our clients can still go to work, attend school and take care of other responsibilities. When they are a part of our IOP, they participate in multiple types of therapy, several days per week. It is a highly intensive program with results similar to inpatient facilities. Our admissions coordinators are here to help you get started with treatment the right way. They'll verify your health insurance, help set up travel arrangements, and ensure your transition into treatment is smooth and hassle-free. Call [Direct] today.