Benzodiazepines are a type of psychoactive drugs, used to treat anxiety, seizures, muscle spasms and insomnia. Both chronic & recreational use, within weeks can build up a tolerance in your body to the intended effects and may lead you to becoming dependent or even addicted. Stimulants such as methylphenidate (Ritalin / Concerta) or Amphetamine (Adderall) normally prescribed for the treatment of ADHD can cause dependence and addiction over time. If you are seeking drug and alcohol related addiction rehab for yourself or a loved one, the YourFirstStep.org hotline is a confidential and convenient solution. Medical support can help with symptom management and reduce the risk of relapse. Prescription opiates include codeine, morphine and oxycodone, typically prescribed to manage pain.

Each person has a unique history, metabolism, and set of circumstances, so benzodiazepine withdrawal timelines can vary based on every individual. If the dosage is lower or Valium has only been taken for a shorter time, and a good support system is in place, it may be safe to detox from Valium at home. Be sure to do your research and consider that you’ll be away from your everyday life for the entire time you’re in the program.

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You should certainly go to the emergency room (ER) anytime you’re having serious withdrawal symptoms like difficulty breathing, rapid heart rate, or seizures. If you simply show up and you’re not having a medical emergency, they might just refer you to a local substance abuse treatment center. Detoxing safely and effectively from prescription drugs usually needs professional support as trying to detox without medical supervision can be difficult and dangerous.

What Is Drug Detoxification?

As mentioned before, how long a drug detox takes and how intense it might be for you will vary based on a variety of factors. Drug detox is usually the first step in prescription drug detox and withdrawal treatment how to detox getting help for alcohol and drug addiction. Drug detox is the natural first step in recovery, allowing your body to safely adjust after quitting a substance. This includes a physical exam, reviewing your medical history, and possibly blood tests. Starting the holistic detox process at Alternative to Meds Center typically begins with an initial medical evaluation on site.

Why Seek Holistic Detox Treatment?

Talking to others who understand your experiences can be incredibly reassuring. Remember, recovery is a gradual process, and taking small, consistent steps can make a meaningful difference. Relying on professional withdrawal management is just the first step and is a better approach to addiction treatment—but overcoming a substance use disorder doesn’t stop there. If you use a prescription drug other than medically intended, you are in danger of developing a dependence or addiction to the medication.

• According to the 2017 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, over 2 million Americans admitted to abusing prescription painkillers within the past year.
• The study also observed significant improvements in sleep quality, which continued to some extent after the detox finished.
• When struggling with alcohol or benzodiazepine use – it is highly recommended to seek out a medically monitored detox program to ensure no life-threatening conditions occur during the detox process.
• Detox refers to the removal of substances from your body and is usually the first stage of addiction treatment.
• This type of professional supervised medical detox can significantly reduce the risk of you having severe withdrawal symptoms (such as seizures) and relapse.

Practical Tips for Supporting Someone Going Through Drug Withdrawal

In my experience, prescription drugs have been required for the pain, ADHD and paranoia. Despite the high rates of violence with these medications, the rate of accidental deaths is extremely high. It is important to understand that most of the drugs in the market are psychoactive, which means that they cause an addiction or dependency state similar to that of prescription drugs. A detox or private rehab clinic can also assist with treating the underlining causes of prescription drug addiction or abuse, in the form of therapy and counselling sessions.

The effects of prescription drug withdrawal

Which is why whether you’re dealing with Klonopin withdrawal, Hydrocodone withdrawal, OxyContin withdrawal, or something else, it is vital to seeek the help of a medical detox. Chronic abuse of prescription drugs can result in potentially life-threatening symptoms of withdrawal during prescription medication detox. Our team of experienced professionals provides 24/7 support and medical care in a safe and comfortable environment. Moderately agonist opioids function by making opioid receptors more sensitive in a moderately more potent manner than prescription drugs with high degrees of agonists. The pain can also be somewhat limited by its clear ceiling so that no matter how much medication you take, the results will eventually plateau. There is no standard for the amount of time an agonist or partial agonist must be taken before stopping its use.

MAT helps to prevent relapse during detox by stabilizing the individual’s condition and making the withdrawal process more manageable. MAT is often combined with counseling and other therapeutic interventions to address the psychological aspects of addiction. A digital detox is a period in which a person reduces or completely stops their use of electronic devices such as a smartphone.

Detoxing at home without medical supervision can be extremely dangerous and even life-threatening. This is because prescription drug withdrawal symptoms can be very severe and unpredictable so it’s important to have someone on hand who can help if you start to experience any problems. Prescription drug detoxification is a crucial step in achieving long-term recovery.

• Once the initial assessment is complete, the withdrawal management phase begins.
• Sleep is one of your best natural ways of healing, as much of your body’s repair processes occur when you aren’t awake.
• Valium® (diazepam) detox is the process of clearing the drug from the body while safely managing withdrawal symptoms under medical supervision.
• Some programs may be shorter for substances with less severe withdrawal symptoms (i.e., cocaine, nicotine), while others may be longer for more intense or prolonged substance use (benzodiazepines, opioids).

Priory offers private addiction treatment for people who are paying for their treatment themselves, using private medical insurance (PMI) or are funded through corporate funding arrangements. You can speak to your GP about what’s available to you, or refer to Mind’s list of support organisations for drug addiction. Detox is often the first stage in overcoming drug addiction, helping you become physically stable and ready to move forward. Many people continue their recovery with therapeutic support to explore the emotional and psychological factors behind their addiction. It is important to consult with healthcare professionals who can guide you in making any necessary dietary adjustments or lifestyle modifications prior to detox.

Detox from Pain Pills and Prescription Drugs

During your stay, you’ll have access to staff 24/7 who will help you manage any remaining withdrawal symptoms. You’ll also get more intensive behavioral therapy and have to attend group therapy meetings regularly. Usually, treatment programs use the 12-step recovery method, so you’ll work through these steps daily.

This stage is when developing coping mechanisms and maintaining a strong support system becomes vital to sustained recovery. At-home detox may be OK if you’re otherwise healthy and haven’t been using drugs for very long. If you believe it’s your best option, get a doctor to review your situation and approve the plan before you start. At the very least, you should arrange to have family or friends supervise you through the process. If you are heavily addicted to any of the above substances and try to stop cold turkey, you may experience uncomfortable and dangerous withdrawal symptoms, such as rapid heart rate, hallucinations, and seizures.

For example, people can block or add time limits to specific social media applications while keeping access to their messages and other practical tools on their phone. Our aim is to support long-term recovery and reduce the risk of relapse – whether through structured therapy, ongoing support, or a more flexible treatment pathway tailored to you. Detox is the process of safely and gradually removing a toxic or addictive substance from your body.