At most Adult & Teen Challenge addiction recovery centers, we offer drug addiction help without also giving our students prescription drugs. Many rehabilitation centers, however, take a pharmaceutical treatment approach.
These addiction recovery programs will give substance abusers pharmaceuticals to help them deal with the pain of withdrawal. Some other medications supposedly help keep people from relapsing after leaving their addiction recovery program.
We take an alternate approach because we know how street drugs can interact with pharmaceuticals in a terrible way. We prefer to change behaviors first and foremost. As a Christian recovery program, we also highlight the importance of following God’s word when times get difficult.
We believe this approach gives our students the highest chance of staying sober because prescription drugs sometimes interact in negative ways with street drugs. Continue reading to learn more about our prescription drug recovery program.
Mixing Drugs
Pharmaceuticals are often specifically designed to relieve symptoms of one specific problem, such as depression or anxiety, but they can cause other problems when mixed with other drugs.
Many prescription drugs will specifically say that you shouldn’t mix them with alcohol, but they may not indicate how they interact with street drugs.
Below are the common prescription drugs and how they interact with drugs that might be in a substance abuser’s system in the first few days of addiction recovery. Learn more about drug mixing.
Antidepressants
Examples: Prozac, Zoloft, Lexapro
Prescribed For: Depression, anxiety disorders
Antidepressants work to help keep people positive and up when they struggle with depression.
Risks in Recovery:
When mixed with alcohol or illegal drugs that act as depressants, users can suffer from the following side-effects:
- Worsening depression
- Heightened blood pressure
- Difficulty thinking
- Death
Antidepressants mixed with stimulants and uppers can increase the risk of severe depression and suicidal thoughts.
Antipsychotics
Examples: Seroquel, Abilify, Risperdal
Prescribed For: Bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, severe mood disorders
Antipsychotics regulate neurotransmitters to make sure people with mood disorders get the right amount of dopamine, noradrenaline, and serotonin.
Risks in Recovery:
Sometimes these drugs act to sedate the person taking them. Mixing these drugs with alcohol can have serious repercussions.
- Increasing psychotic symptoms
- Heavy sedation
- Long-term damage to mental health
Opioids (Painkillers)
Examples: Oxycodone (OxyContin), Hydrocodone (Vicodin), Morphine, Fentanyl
Prescribed For: Moderate to severe pain
Risks in Recovery:
Opioids are among the most addictive substances in prescription drug history. Even when legally prescribed for pain, these medications can trigger intense cravings and lead to relapse.
When combined with alcohol or benzodiazepines, opioids can depress breathing to dangerous levels, often resulting in fatal overdose.
Benzodiazepines (Benzos)
Examples: Xanax, Ativan, Valium, Klonopin
Prescribed For: Anxiety, panic disorders, insomnia, and seizures
Risks in Recovery:
Benzodiazepines work by calming the nervous system, but they are highly addictive and known for their potential to cause physical dependence. When mixed with alcohol or opioids, they significantly increase the risk of respiratory failure, blackouts, and coma.
These drugs are often misused for their sedative or euphoric effects, making them especially dangerous in recovery settings.
Stimulants
Examples: Adderall, Ritalin, Concerta
Prescribed For: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), narcolepsy
Risks in Recovery:
Stimulants boost energy and focus by increasing dopamine levels in the brain. However, they can also lead to elevated heart rate, anxiety, and addiction—especially when misused for weight loss, academic performance, or energy.
When mixed with alcohol, users may underestimate how intoxicated they are, increasing the risk of alcohol poisoning and risky behavior.
Sleep Medications
Examples: Ambien, Lunesta, Sonata
Prescribed For: Short-term treatment of insomnia
Risks in Recovery:
Although not always classified as addictive, sleep aids can become habit-forming. They can cause confusion, impaired judgment, memory loss, and dependency.
Mixing them with other sedatives or alcohol intensifies these effects and can lead to dangerous sedation or overdose.
Muscle Relaxants
Examples: Soma, Flexeril
Prescribed For: Muscle spasms, pain relief, and tension
Risks in Recovery:
Often perceived as harmless, muscle relaxants can be misused to amplify the effects of opioids or alcohol.
This combination increases the risk of impaired motor function, severe drowsiness, and life-threatening central nervous system depression.
ATC Can Help
A National survey showed that 17.8% of high school students took a prescription drug without a doctor’s prescription once or more in the past year, highlighting the prevalence of this issue.
If you or a loved one is struggling with prescription drug addiction, our teen challenge drug rehab centers are here to help.
Explore our teen challenge addiction treatments and find the support you need for a successful recovery. More ways to support below:
- Teen Challenge Addiction Help – Find a Center
- Donate to Support Faith-Based Recovery
- Shop the ATC Store — Every purchase supports addiction recovery programs.
