Prescription Drug Addiction Treatment Program
Medically Reviewed by: Dr. Duy Pham, MD- Attending Psychiatrist
- Prescription Drug Addiction
Prescription Drug Addiction Treatment in Salt Lake City
For many people, prescription drug addiction does not start the way they imagined addiction would. It starts with a prescription. A doctor writes it, a pharmacist fills it, and the medication does exactly what it is supposed to do. Then, over time, something shifts. The dose that used to work stops working. Stopping the medication produces symptoms that feel unbearable. Taking more becomes the only way to feel normal. By the time most people recognize what is happening, they have been dependent for months, sometimes years.
At Recovery Ways, we understand that the path into prescription drug misuse looks different from what most people associate with addiction. The stigma is different, the denial is different, and the clinical needs are different too. Our treatment program in Salt Lake City, Utah is designed to meet you where you are, with medical support, evidence-based therapy, and a team that knows how to treat prescription drug dependence at every level of care.
- Understanding The Condition
Understanding Prescription Drug Addiction
Prescription drug addiction, clinically referred to as prescription drug use disorder, occurs when a person continues to use a medication compulsively despite harmful consequences, or becomes physically dependent on it in a way that makes stopping without help dangerous or extremely difficult.
One of the things that makes prescription drug addiction particularly difficult to recognize is that it develops gradually, often without a clear moment where the line is crossed. Tolerance builds, doses increase, refills come more frequently, and the original reason for taking the medication becomes secondary to the need to avoid withdrawal. Because the medication came from a doctor, many people minimize what is happening or feel that it does not count as a real addiction.
- Types We Treat
Types of Prescription Drug Addiction We Treat
Prescription drug addiction is not a single condition. The medications involved, the way dependence develops, the withdrawal process, and the treatment approach vary significantly depending on the drug class. At Recovery Ways, we treat the full spectrum of prescription drug use disorders, including:
- Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepine Addiction (Xanax, Klonopin, Valium, Ativan)
Benzodiazepines are prescribed for anxiety, panic disorder, and insomnia, but with regular use the brain adapts in ways that make stopping extremely difficult — and in some cases, medically dangerous. Benzo withdrawal can cause life-threatening seizures if stopped abruptly, which is why medically supervised tapering is essential and is something Recovery Ways manages directly.
- Stimulants
Prescription Stimulant Addiction (Adderall, Ritalin, Vyvanse)
Prescription stimulants like Adderall, Ritalin, and Vyvanse are commonly prescribed for ADHD, but misuse or higher-than-prescribed doses can lead to a dependency that disrupts mood, energy, sleep, and cognitive function. Many people with stimulant use disorder follow a binge-and-crash pattern and struggle significantly with depression and fatigue when they try to stop.
- Sleep Medications
Sleep Medication Addiction (Ambien, Lunesta)
Sleep medications like Ambien and Lunesta act on many of the same brain receptors as benzodiazepines and carry a similar risk of physical dependence with prolonged use. What often starts as a short-term solution for insomnia can become a cycle that is difficult to break without medical support, particularly because withdrawal can include severe rebound insomnia and anxiety.
- Opioids
Prescription Opioid Addiction (OxyContin, Vicodin, Hydrocodone, Percocet)
Prescription opioids, including oxycodone (OxyContin, Percocet), hydrocodone (Vicodin), and morphine, are among the most commonly misused prescription medications. Many people with prescription opioid use disorder began with a legitimate pain prescription following surgery, injury, or a chronic pain diagnosis.
- Medical Supervision
Why Prescription Drug Withdrawal Requires Medical Supervision
Not all prescription drug withdrawal is the same, but much of it should not be managed alone. Benzodiazepine and sleep medication withdrawal carry a genuine risk of seizures and should always be managed under medical care. Prescription opioid withdrawal, while rarely life-threatening, is intensely uncomfortable and carries a high relapse risk without proper support. Even stimulant withdrawal, though less physically dangerous, involves significant mood disruption that benefits from clinical oversight.
At Recovery Ways, our medical team conducts a thorough assessment at admission to understand which medications are involved, the duration and dose of use, and any co-occurring medical or mental health conditions. From there, we build a medically sound detox and tapering plan designed to keep you safe, reduce discomfort as much as possible, and create the stability you need to engage in the therapeutic work that supports long-term recovery.
- Levels Of Care
Prescription Drug Addiction Treatment at Recovery Ways
Recovery Ways offers prescription drug addiction treatment across multiple levels of care at our two Murray, Utah facilities, ensuring that the intensity of treatment matches the severity of your situation and your recovery needs.
- Residential Treatment: 24/7 structured care with around-the-clock medical monitoring, ideal for individuals in early recovery from benzodiazepine, opioid, or other prescription drug dependence who need close medical supervision during detox and stabilization
- Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP): intensive daytime programming with continued medical oversight and therapy, allowing patients to return to a supported home environment in the evenings once medically stable
- Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP): a flexible, multi-day-per-week program for individuals who have stabilized and are building the skills, support structures, and relapse prevention strategies needed for lasting recovery
Throughout all levels of care, prescription drug treatment at Recovery Ways integrates evidence-based therapies alongside any necessary medical management. Our goal is not just to help you stop, it is to help you understand why use escalated, address any underlying conditions driving it, and build a sustainable path forward.
- Payer Recognition
In Network and Preferred
Recovery Ways works with many insurance plans, including Select Health, UnitedHealthcare/Optum, Blue Cross Blue Shield, University of Utah Health Plans, PEHP, Aetna, Cigna, EMI, DMBA, TRICARE, VA Community Care (TriWest) and more. Network participation and benefits can vary by plan and service. Ask our team to verify your benefits and explain potential costs before admission.
- Get Help Today
Get Help for Prescription Drug Addiction in Salt Lake City
Prescription drug addiction can be difficult to recognize and even harder to talk about. There is often real shame in admitting that something prescribed by a doctor became a problem, and real fear about what stopping might feel like. Our team at Recovery Ways understands both of those things, and we approach prescription drug treatment with the same care, expertise, and respect that we bring to every patient we work with.
Recovery Ways is a trusted provider of addiction and mental health treatment serving adults 18 and older in the Salt Lake City, Utah area. Accredited by The Joint Commission and recognized as a Platinum Provider by Optum, we deliver evidence-based, person-centered care at every level of treatment.
You do not have to manage this alone, and you do not have to figure out how to stop on your own. Reach out to our admissions team today to learn about your options and take the first step toward a life that is not managed by a prescription.
- Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you become addicted to a medication your doctor prescribed?
Is benzodiazepine withdrawal dangerous?
Is Adderall or stimulant addiction real?
Opioid treatment, including medication-assisted treatment with buprenorphine or naltrexone, is designed specifically for opioid use disorder. Prescription drug addiction treatment is broader, covering benzodiazepines, stimulants, sleep medications, and prescription opioids as one category among several, with a different clinical approach for each drug class.
What is the difference between prescription drug treatment and opioid treatment?
It depends on the drug class and severity of use. Benzodiazepine tapering alone can take weeks to months, while residential treatment typically lasts 30 to 90 days followed by PHP or IOP as a step-down. Your clinical team at Recovery Ways will recommend a length and level of care based on your assessment at admission.
How long does prescription drug rehab take?
Most major insurance plans, including Medicaid, cover prescription drug detox and rehabilitation. Recovery Ways is in-network with SelectHealth, University of Utah Health Plans, PEHP, Aetna, and Optum, and our admissions team can verify your benefits before you begin so there are no surprises.
Does insurance cover prescription drug addiction treatment at Recovery Ways?
- Get the Help You Need
If you’re ready, we’re here to listen.
Finding treatment can bring a lot of questions. Our admissions team can explain program options, help verify insurance benefits and walk you through the assessment and enrollment process. If Recovery Ways is not the right fit, ask about other resources that may meet your needs.
Our mission and purpose are to ensure you receive the recovery you deserve and the care you need, so you can work towards reclaiming your life.