The common image of drug addiction is a person living on the street using a dirty needle or smoking a homemade substance with a piece of foil. The reality is that much of today’s addiction takes place behind closed doors, inside homes, with medications prescribed by doctors. Prescription drug addiction is a quiet crisis in Native American communities, often overshadowed by the more visible effects of illicit drug abuse. Yet the risks and consequences are just as severe.
What Is Prescription Drug Addiction?
Prescription drug addiction is a chronic, relapsing condition in which someone becomes physically and psychologically dependent on medications that may have been prescribed for legitimate medical reasons. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, the most commonly misused prescription medications fall into three categories: opioids (oxycodone, hydrocodone, etc.), stimulants such as Adderall and Ritalin, and tranquilizers like Xanax.
These drugs can help when used correctly, but misuse—taking higher doses, using without a prescription, or combining with other substances—quickly leads to tolerance, dependence, and addiction. Over time, the brain’s chemistry changes, making it difficult to function without the drug and putting health, family relationships, and cultural connections at risk.
The Mayo Clinic has reported that prescription drug misuse is a growing concern across the country. Many people begin with a legitimate prescription, but misuse can escalate into addiction with serious consequences for individuals, families, and entire tribal communities.
What Prescription Drugs Are Addictive?
Certain prescription medications carry a high risk for misuse, dependence, and addiction—especially when taken in larger amounts, more often than prescribed, or without medical guidance.
Opioids
Powerful pain relievers often prescribed after surgery or injury. They bind to opioid receptors in the brain and create feelings of euphoria, which makes them highly addictive. Long-term use can lead to dependence, overdose, and loss within Native families and communities.
Examples include:
- Codeine (often in cough syrups and mild pain medicines)
- Oxycodone (OxyContin, Roxicodone)
- Hydrocodone (Vicodin, Lortab)
- Morphine (MS Contin)
- Tramadol (Ultram)
- Fentanyl (extremely potent and a major cause of overdose deaths)
Benzodiazepines
Drugs like Xanax, Valium, and Ativan are prescribed for anxiety, insomnia, or seizures. Misuse leads to dependence, withdrawal, and dangerous health risks.
Stimulants
Medications such as Adderall, Ritalin, and Desoxyn are used for ADHD or narcolepsy but misused for their euphoric and energizing effects. Abuse is rising among young people, including Native youth.
Sleep Medications
Drugs like Ambien, Lunesta, and Sonata can cause dependence and risky behaviors if misused.
Muscle Relaxants
Drugs such as Soma and other sedatives are sometimes misused in combination with alcohol or opioids, raising overdose risk.
Signs and Symptoms of Prescription Drug Addiction
Recognizing addiction can be difficult, especially if medication was originally prescribed for a medical reason. In Native communities, stigma and silence may prevent people from seeking help, but the signs are often clear.
Physical Signs
- Drowsiness, sedation, or slurred speech
- Changes in appetite, weight, or hygiene
- Nausea, constipation, or headaches
- Sleep disturbances
- Poor coordination or unsteady movement
Behavioral Signs
- Taking more than prescribed or running out early
- “Doctor shopping” for new prescriptions
- Lying about symptoms to get medication
- Withdrawing from family, ceremony, or community life
- Mood swings or irritability
- Stealing medication from others
Psychological Signs
- Obsession with obtaining or using the drug
- Anxiety or depression when not using
- Emotional numbness
- Paranoia or confusion
- Denial of a problem despite consequences
When Do You Need Prescription Drug Addiction Treatment?
It may be time to seek help when prescription medication use begins to interfere with family, responsibilities, cultural traditions, or health. Even if the medicine started with a doctor’s prescription, if you find yourself unable to stop or constantly craving more, professional help is needed.
Signs treatment may be necessary:
- Taking more than prescribed or feeling unable to quit alone
- Experiencing withdrawal when not using
- Using the drug to cope with stress, anxiety, or past trauma
- Relationships, work, or health suffering as a result of misuse
For Native Americans, risks may be heightened by historical trauma, chronic pain, and higher rates of co-occurring mental health conditions. Seeking help is not a weakness—it’s an act of strength and healing for yourself, your family, and your community.
How Long Is Prescription Drug Addiction Treatment?
Treatment length depends on the drug, severity of addiction, and presence of co-occurring issues such as trauma, depression, or anxiety.
- Medical Detox: 5–10 days
- Residential/Inpatient Care: 30–90 days
- Outpatient & Aftercare: Weeks to months, depending on need
Healing is not one-size-fits-all. Long-term support and aftercare improve recovery, especially when treatment respects cultural values and community traditions.
What Is Prescription Drug Addiction Treatment Like?
At a quality treatment program, care is compassionate, structured, and tailored to each person. For Native Americans, effective treatment also recognizes the importance of culture, community, and identity in the healing process.
Key components include:
- Medically supervised detox for safe withdrawal
- Individual and group therapy (CBT, EMDR, and other research-based methods)
- Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT), when appropriate
- Peer support and culturally respectful talking circles
- Family counseling to strengthen relationships
- Life skills training to build stability and independence
- Aftercare planning for continued healing
Cultural healing practices, such as sweat lodge ceremonies, traditional talking circles, drumming, storytelling, and connection with tribal elders, can be powerful parts of recovery alongside clinical therapies
Prescription Drug Addiction Treatment at Aliya Native Americans Program
Prescription drug misuse is a growing health crisis in Native communities, affecting individuals and families across generations. Misuse of opioids, stimulants, and sedatives can lead to dependence, overdose, and loss. But recovery is possible with the right support.
At Aliya Native Americans Program, we provide compassionate, culturally informed care for Native people struggling with prescription drug addiction. Our program combines research-based treatment with respect for cultural traditions, offering a path toward healing that honors both mind and spirit.
Our Native American–specific program includes:
- 24/7 medically supervised detox
- Trauma-informed therapy tailored to Native experiences and historical trauma
- Dual diagnosis treatment for co-occurring issues like PTSD, depression, and anxiety
- Peer support and community-based healing models
- Access to holistic care that integrates cultural practices with modern research-based treatment
Addiction treatment may include behavioral therapy, support from healthcare professionals, and when appropriate, medication-assisted treatment. At Aliya Native Americans Program, we honor your culture, your story, and your resilience.
Healing from prescription drug addiction is not only about recovery—it’s about reclaiming your health, your traditions, and your future.