What is medication addiction?
Medication addiction develops when medications – often initially prescribed for legitimate reasons – can no longer be stopped. This particularly often affects sleeping pills, tranquilizers, and painkillers.
Many affected individuals started with a prescription and only realize later that the medication, which was supposed to help, has long since become the actual problem.
What symptoms occur with medication addiction?
Typical signs include an increasing need as the effect diminishes, withdrawal symptoms when stopping, loss of control over intake, and the feeling of not being able to cope without the medication.
What causes medication addiction?
Often, addiction begins with a sensible prescription that is continued beyond the actually necessary duration. The body adapts, and stopping becomes increasingly difficult.
Welche Prognose kann ich erwarten?
With medically supervised tapering and treatment of the underlying conditions, the prognosis is good.
What are the risk factors for medication addiction?
- prolonged use
- increasing dosages
- psychological stressors such as anxiety, stress, or sleep disorders
- lack of medical supervision
What treatment methods are there for medication addiction?
Medication withdrawal occurs as a slow, medically supervised tapering, which avoids dangerous complications. Concurrently, the underlying complaint – such as sleep disorder or anxiety – is treated.
Never abruptly stop medications on your own. Unsupervised withdrawal can be dangerous.
Welche Vorbeugungen können getroffen werden?
High-risk medications should only be taken short-term, at a low dosage, and under medical supervision; for persistent symptoms, address the underlying causes.
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Addiction & Withdrawal
Wie verläuft der typische Zeitablauf?
Medication dependence often develops gradually from a medically prescribed treatment. Withdrawal symptoms can occur when discontinuing, which is why the dosage is slowly tapered off.
Welche Komplikationen können auftreten?
- Withdrawal symptoms upon discontinuation, potentially leading to seizures depending on the active ingredient
- Concentration, memory, and fall-related issues
- Worsening of the original symptoms
How does Clínica Es Castell help with medication addiction?
Clínica Es Castell in Mallorca safely and carefully supports medication withdrawal – with German-speaking medical care, without a waiting list, inpatient, outpatient, or via video.
You can find more about our approach in the section Addiction & Withdrawal; we address the causes together with Psychiatry & Psychotherapy.
Häufig gestellte Fragen
Which medications are addictive?
Especially sleeping pills and tranquilizers (benzodiazepines), certain painkillers, and opioids.
What to do about medication addiction?
Do not stop on your own, but seek medical help – the tapering off will be supervised.
How do you recognize medication addiction?
By increased dosage, the feeling of not being able to manage without the medication, and withdrawal symptoms when stopping.
Finde mehr Informationen
- German Centre for Addiction Issues (DHS) – dhs.de
- IQWiG / gesundheitsinformation.de – gesundheitsinformation.de
- AWMF S3 Guideline "Medication-Related Disorders" – awmf.org