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One would think that the last thing breast cancer survivors would do is to fall into prescription drug abuse. However, it can happen. One thing that can cause prescription drug abuse is the drugs that are prescribed for pain, both after surgery and during some stages of the chemotherapy and radiation. Chemo can often cause muscle and joint pain, and this can sometimes be excruciating. Prescription drugs may be prescribed for the pain, but for some reason the survivors continue taking them long after they are needed. This is when abuse can occur. Cancer also takes a toll on survivors’ emotions, both after the initial diagnosis and all through the treatments. Even after the treatments have stopped, emotions can remain fragile for quite some time. If prescription drugs are given to alleviate depression or anxiety and they are not stopped as soon as the problem has been rectified, the chance for prescription drug abuse is increased. However, breast cancer survivors, once they realize that prescription drug abuse or addiction has occurred, usually find that core of strength in them that got them through the cancer diagnosis and treatments. They face what is needed just as they faced the cancer treatments. Even if it means traveling far away, such as seeking Tennessee drug treatment facilities, most cancer survivors willingly do what must be done. If help is needed for prescription drug abuse before one’s body has fully recovered from the effects of cancer treatments, some facilities are able to provide the medical care that may be needed. In other cases, the patient may be admitted back to the hospital where she will receive the care needed to affect the recovery from the cancer treatments. At that time it may even be possible to start drug treatment. Just as they overcame the cancer, so too can breast cancer survivors overcome prescription drug abuse.