Quick answer
Prescription drug addiction treatment depends on the type of medicine involved. Opioid pain relievers are treated with FDA-approved medications like buprenorphine or methadone plus counseling. Sedatives such as benzodiazepines need a slow, medically supervised taper because withdrawal can be life-threatening. Stimulant misuse is treated with behavioral therapies like contingency management and CBT.
What are the signs of prescription drug addiction?
Prescription drug misuse means taking a medicine in a way a doctor didn’t intend. That includes taking more than prescribed, using someone else’s prescription, or taking it to get high. Over time, misuse can lead to a substance use disorder.
According to NIDA, the most commonly misused prescription drugs fall into three classes:
| Drug class | Examples | Prescribed for |
|---|---|---|
| Opioids | Oxycodone, hydrocodone, morphine, codeine | Pain |
| CNS depressants | Benzodiazepines (Xanax, Valium), sleep medicines, barbiturates | Anxiety, panic, sleep, seizures |
| Stimulants | Amphetamine (Adderall), methylphenidate (Ritalin) | ADHD, narcolepsy |
Clinicians use 11 DSM-5 criteria to diagnose a use disorder. Summarized, they ask whether in the past year you have:
- Taken more, or for longer, than intended
- Tried to cut down without success
- Spent a lot of time getting, using or recovering from the drug
- Had cravings
- Neglected responsibilities
- Kept using despite relationship problems
- Given up important activities
- Used in risky situations
- Kept using despite health problems
- Developed tolerance
- Had withdrawal when stopping
Two to three signs suggest a mild disorder, four to five moderate, and six or more severe. Tolerance and withdrawal alone don’t count when a medicine is taken exactly as prescribed.
Warning signs loved ones may notice include running out of pills early, “losing” prescriptions, visiting several doctors, ordering pills online, missing medicine from home cabinets, and changes in mood, sleep or energy.
Not sure what kind of care you need? Call (877) 847-2855 to talk through options and check your insurance benefits. It’s free and confidential.
What does prescription drug withdrawal look like?
Withdrawal varies a lot by drug class. Some types are uncomfortable; others can be dangerous.
Sedative withdrawal can be life-threatening. Stopping benzodiazepines, barbiturates or similar sedatives suddenly after regular use can cause seizures. Never stop these medicines on your own. A doctor can set up a gradual taper.
Withdrawal timeline by drug class
| Drug class | When symptoms may start | Common symptoms | How serious? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Short-acting opioids | About 8–24 hours | Aches, sweating, nausea, diarrhea, anxiety, cravings | Rarely deadly on its own, but relapse afterward raises overdose risk |
| Benzodiazepines and other sedatives | About 1–7 days, depending on the drug | Anxiety, insomnia, tremors, racing heart; seizures in severe cases | Can be life-threatening; needs medical supervision |
| Stimulants | Hours to days | Exhaustion, depression, increased appetite, cravings | Not usually physically dangerous; depression and suicidal thoughts can be serious |
Acute symptoms usually last days to weeks, but cravings, mood changes and sleep problems can linger longer. Medically supervised detox can make withdrawal safer and more comfortable.
If someone has a seizure, can’t breathe well or is thinking about suicide, call 911 or call or text 988.
What is the best treatment for prescription drug addiction?
Prescription opioids
Medication is the most effective treatment for opioid use disorder, according to NIDA and SAMHSA. Combining medication with counseling is often called medication-assisted treatment (MAT).
- Buprenorphine eases cravings and withdrawal and can be prescribed in a doctor’s office.
- Methadone is given daily at certified opioid treatment programs.
- Extended-release naltrexone is a monthly injection that blocks opioid effects.
Learn more on our medication-assisted treatment and opioid addiction pages.
Benzodiazepines and other sedatives
There is no FDA-approved medication specifically for sedative use disorder. Treatment centers on a slow, doctor-guided taper, plus therapy for anxiety, panic or insomnia. See our benzodiazepine addiction page for details.
Prescription stimulants
There is no FDA-approved medication for stimulant use disorder. Behavioral therapies are the main treatment:
- Contingency management, which gives small rewards for goals such as negative drug tests
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which builds skills to manage triggers and cravings
Treating the whole person
Many people first took a medicine for real pain, anxiety, ADHD or sleep problems. Those conditions still need care. Dual diagnosis treatment treats mental health and substance use together, and pain specialists can help find safer pain management options.
Which level of care should you consider?
Clinicians often use the ASAM Criteria, guidelines from the American Society of Addiction Medicine, to recommend the right intensity of care.
- Medically supervised detox: essential for sedative dependence and helpful for opioid withdrawal.
- Inpatient/residential: 24/7 support if you’ve relapsed before, use several substances or lack a safe home.
- Partial hospitalization (PHP): structured treatment most of the day while living at home.
- Intensive outpatient (IOP): several therapy sessions a week, so you can keep working.
- Outpatient: regular medication and counseling visits.
A partial hospitalization program (PHP) offers hospital-level structure during the day, while an intensive outpatient program (IOP) provides more hours than standard outpatient care.
What about overdose risk?
Opioids and sedatives both slow breathing, and mixing them, or adding alcohol, raises overdose risk sharply. Signs of an opioid or sedative overdose include pinpoint pupils, slow or stopped breathing, blue lips and being hard to wake.
- Call 911.
- Give naloxone (Narcan) if you have it. It reverses opioid overdoses and won’t harm someone who hasn’t taken opioids.
- Lay the person on their side and stay with them.
The FDA approved Narcan nasal spray for over-the-counter sale in 2023. The CDC and DEA also warn that counterfeit pills made to look like oxycodone, Xanax or Adderall often contain fentanyl. Only take medicines from a licensed pharmacy.
How do you pay for treatment?
Costs vary widely by setting, length of care and insurance. Most health plans cover substance use treatment as an essential health benefit under the Affordable Care Act, and federal parity law limits stricter rules for addiction care. Your costs depend on medical necessity, prior authorization, network status, deductible and out-of-pocket maximum. Read does insurance cover rehab? to learn more.
How do you get help?
Be honest with your doctor about how you’re using your medicine. They can help you taper safely or start treatment. You can also compare programs by state in our rehab directory.
Prescription drug addiction is common and treatable. To find a program that fits the medicines involved and your insurance, call our admissions helpline at (877) 847-2855. It’s free and confidential.
Frequently asked questions
Which prescription drugs are most commonly misused?
NIDA groups commonly misused prescription drugs into three classes: opioid pain relievers, central nervous system depressants such as benzodiazepines and sleep medicines, and stimulants used for ADHD. Each class has different risks and treatments.
Can you get addicted to a medicine your doctor prescribed?
Yes. Addiction can develop even when a medicine starts out as a legitimate prescription. Taking more than prescribed, using someone else's prescription, or using it to get high all raise the risk.
Is it safe to stop prescription drugs on my own?
Not always. Stopping sedatives like benzodiazepines or barbiturates suddenly can cause seizures and can be life-threatening. Stopping opioids abruptly can cause severe withdrawal and raises overdose risk if you relapse. Talk to a doctor first.
What is the treatment for prescription opioid addiction?
The most effective treatment is medication, such as buprenorphine, methadone or extended-release naltrexone, combined with counseling. These medications reduce cravings and lower the risk of overdose death.
Is there a medication for prescription stimulant addiction?
No. The FDA has not approved any medication for stimulant use disorder. Treatment relies on behavioral therapies such as contingency management and cognitive behavioral therapy.
Are pills bought online or from friends safe?
No. The CDC and DEA warn that counterfeit pills made to look like real prescriptions often contain fentanyl. Only take medicines dispensed by a licensed pharmacy.
