Prescription Drug Addiction Treatment
in Pennsylvania
Prescription drug addiction treatment is available throughout Pennsylvania for adults who are struggling to control their use of prescription medications. Treatment options range from medical withdrawal management to intensive outpatient programs, depending on a person’s Clinical needs and the type of medication involved. Our team will conduct a professional assessment to determine the right level of care for you.
Ethos Treatment provides intensive outpatient programs (IOPs) for adults with substance use disorders at multiple locations across Pennsylvania, with telehealth options also available. Accredited by The Joint Commission and certified by LegitScript, Ethos Treatment helps adults build a path toward sustainable recovery. Adults who are ready to take that step can learn more about available programs at Ethos Treatment.
Prescription Drug Addiction Treatment Is Available Across Pennsylvania
Adults in Pennsylvania have access to a range of evidence-based treatment options for prescription drug addiction, from outpatient counseling to more intensive structured programs. Etho offers care at multiple locations across the state, so the right level of treatment can be found close to home. That level of care depends on the substance involved, the severity of use, and each person’s individual circumstances.
Treatment is available in communities across Pennsylvania, including Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and many surrounding areas. Telehealth options have also expanded access for people who face barriers to in-person care.
What Is
Prescription Drug Addiction?
Prescription drug addiction, referred to as a substance use disorder, develops when a person loses control over their use of a medication despite negative consequences. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), misuse includes taking a medication in a way other than prescribed, taking someone else’s prescription, or using a medication to get high.
Addiction can develop even when a medication was originally prescribed by a licensed healthcare provider. Three categories of prescription medications are most commonly associated with misuse and dependence:
- Opioids (such as oxycodone and hydrocodone): These are prescribed for pain; they carry a high risk of physical dependence and overdose.
- Benzodiazepines and sedatives (such as diazepam and alprazolam): Prescribed for anxiety or sleep, these can cause significant physical dependence and dangerous withdrawal.
- Stimulants (such as amphetamines): Prescribed for ADHD, these can be misused for their effects on energy and focus.
What are the Signs of Prescription Drug Addiction?
Recognizing the signs of prescription drug addiction is an important first step toward getting help. Clinicians assess a pattern of symptoms to determine whether a substance use disorder is present.
Common signs that professional treatment may be appropriate include:
- Taking medication more often or in higher doses than prescribed
- Strong cravings or difficulty cutting back on use
- Seeking prescriptions from more than one provider
- Continuing to use despite problems at work, in relationships, or with finances
- Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when not using the medication
- Spending significant time obtaining, using, or recovering from the medication
How Does Ethos Treatment Help With Prescription Drug Addiction?
ETHOS specializes in intensive outpatient programming (IOP), which provides structured, consistent treatment while allowing clients to live at home and keep up with work, school, and family responsibilities. Treatment at ETHOS includes:
- Comprehensive assessment: An evaluation of substance use history, mental health, and individual needs to determine the right course of treatment
- Intensive outpatient program (IOP): A structured schedule of therapy sessions each week, with day and evening options at select locations
- Individual counseling: One-on-one sessions to address the factors driving prescription drug use and build coping skills
- Small group therapy: A supportive setting to practice new skills and connect with others in recovery
- Family therapy: helps loved ones understand addiction, repair relationships, and support long-term recovery
- Co-occurring disorder treatment: ETHOS is dual licensed in Pennsylvania for both substance use and mental health treatment, so both can be addressed together
- Relapse prevention and continuing-care planning: prepares clients to maintain progress after IOP ends
For people who need medically supervised withdrawal or 24-hour care first, the initial assessment helps identify that need so treatment can begin at the safest starting point.
Intensive outpatient programs (IOPs) provide structured Clinical treatment several days per week while allowing eligible clients to continue living at home and maintaining work, school, or family responsibilities.
Ethos Treatment’s IOPs for adults include individual counseling, small group therapy, and family therapy. Clinicians use evidence-based approaches including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), motivational interviewing, and EMDR, among others. IOP is not appropriate for everyone; a Clinical assessment determines whether this level of care fits a person’s needs.
Co-occurring mental health conditions are treated alongside substance use disorders when both are present, because addressing them together generally leads to better outcomes than treating them separately. Co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders are common and can influence each other, making coordinated treatment important.
Many people who struggle with prescription drug addiction also experience anxiety, depression, trauma, or other mental health conditions. Ethos Treatment’s programs can address substance use and mental health concerns together when Clinically appropriate, with conditions including PTSD, major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, and anxiety disorders among those treated at its locations.
What Should You Look for
in a Prescription Drug Treatment Program?
A strong prescription drug addiction treatment program should include the following:
- Individualized assessment before treatment begins
- Appropriate level of care matched to Clinical need, not convenience
- Evidence-based therapies such as CBT, DBT, or motivational interviewing
- Qualified Clinical professionals with experience in substance use disorders
- Medication coordination when appropriate for the substance involved
- Family support as part of the treatment plan
- Insurance and payment options that are clearly explained
- Accessible location or telehealth availability
Ethos Treatment begins with a Clinical assessment to understand each adult’s substance use history, mental health needs, and personal circumstances before building a treatment plan. Programs are individualized, and Clinicians use a range of evidence-based therapies tailored to each person’s needs.
Ethos Treatment operates in-person locations across Pennsylvania, including Philadelphia, Broomall, West Chester, Jenkintown, Plymouth Meeting, Collegeville, Wyomissing, Pittsburgh-Fox Chapel, and Pittsburgh-Bethel Park. Telehealth IOP options are also available for adults who cannot attend in person.
Begin Treatment at Ethos Treatment
Adults in Pennsylvania who are concerned about their use of prescription medications do not have to navigate the process alone. Ethos Treatment, accredited by The Joint Commission and certified by LegitScript, provides intensive outpatient programs designed to fit into real life while offering Clinically rigorous support for substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health conditions.
Contact Ethos Treatment to start an intensive outpatient program or speak with a Clinician about treatment options.
Prescription Drug Addiction FAQ
Prescription drug addiction is a substance use disorder in which a person continues to use a prescription medication compulsively despite negative consequences. It can develop even when the medication was originally prescribed by a doctor, and it is a recognized medical condition that responds to treatment.
Opioids, benzodiazepines, sedatives, and stimulants are the prescription medication categories most commonly associated with misuse and dependence, according to NIDA. Examples include oxycodone, hydrocodone, alprazolam, diazepam, and amphetamine-based medications.
Treatment options include medical withdrawal management, residential programs, outpatient counseling, intensive outpatient programs, FDA-approved medications for opioid use disorder, and behavioral therapies such as CBT and motivational interviewing. The appropriate combination depends on the substance involved and a Clinical assessment of the individual’s needs.
IOP can be appropriate for some adults with prescription drug addiction, particularly those who have completed withdrawal management or who do not require 24-hour supervision. A Clinical assessment is needed to determine whether IOP is the right level of care for a specific person.
Many insurance plans cover substance use disorder treatment, including intensive outpatient programs, under the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act. Coverage varies by plan; contacting the treatment provider directly is the most reliable way to confirm what is covered.
Yes. Many treatment programs, including those at Ethos Treatment, are designed to address substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health conditions together when Clinically appropriate. Treating both at the same time generally leads to better outcomes than addressing them separately, according to NIDA.
Safety note: Some prescription medications, including opioids and benzodiazepines, can cause medically significant withdrawal symptoms. Stopping these medications abruptly can be dangerous. Anyone considering stopping a prescription medication should consult a qualified medical professional before doing so.
MD, Alex Moxam is a graduate of Sidney Kimmel Medical College and completed his adult psychiatry residency at the University of Pennsylvania. Subsequently, he pursued a fellowship in child and adolescent psychiatry at the Children’s Hospital of Pennsylvania.
Using a holistic approach and emphasizing shared decision-making, Dr. Moxam engages with clients to initiate and optimize medication regimens. His goal is to decrease problematic symptoms and enhance the overall quality of life for those under his care. Dr. Moxam’s expertise spans both adult and child psychiatry, reflecting his commitment to providing personalized and effective care.
