Prescription
Drug
Detox

Prescription drugs are a blessing for people who need to manage a medical condition, such as ADHD, anxiety or pain. However, many are addictive and have a high likelihood of being abused. Just because a drug came from a doctor, it doesn’t mean that it’s safe to use outside of its intended purposes. Even if you use a prescription drug according to the instructions, you could become dependent on it. If you’re having trouble weaning off of it or you think that you’re addicted, you might need to undergo prescription drug detox.

What are Prescription Drugs?

Any pharmaceutical that is prescribed by a doctor is considered to be a prescription drug. They’re issued for a wide variety of diseases and ailments. However, many people misuse them. Approximately 20 percent of Americans have abused prescription drugs.

Some of the most commonly abused prescription drugs include:
• Opioids – Narcotics, such as fentanyl, heroin and oxycodone, which are usually prescribed to treat pain
• Central nervous system depressants – Benzodiazepines, such as Valium and Xanax, which are typically administered to treat depression and anxiety
• Stimulants – Medications that increase alertness and energy and are generally prescribed to treat ADHD and narcolepsy

What is Prescription Drug addiction?

Many people take prescription drugs voluntarily. Either they decided to take it based on a doctor’s recommendation or they chose to use it recreationally. If they use the medication repeatedly, however, the substance can cause changes in the brain that make quitting difficult.

Drug abuse can also affect your ability to make good judgments and rational decisions. If you have become dependent on a substance, your body sends you signals to use it even though you may know that it’s not good for you. You may have intense, uncontrollable cravings to use the medication. In many cases of prescription drug addiction, you don’t feel as though you can function normally without the substance.

Some signs of opioid addiction include:

• Euphoria
• Constipation
• Nausea
• Poor coordination
• Confusion
• Drowsiness
• Increased pain
• Tolerance

Some signs of benzodiazepine addiction include:

• Sleepiness
• Disorientation
• Unsteady gait
• Trouble concentrating
• Memory problems
• Slowed respiration rate
• Dizziness

Some signs of stimulant addiction include:

• Increased alertness
• Agitation
• High blood pressure
• Trouble regulating body temperature
• Diminished appetite
• Insomnia
• Paranoia

If you’re seeking prescriptions from multiple doctors, taking the medication at higher doses or more frequently than prescribed, feeling unusually energetic or sedated or having trouble making decisions, you could be struggling with prescription drug addiction and require prescription drug detox.

What is Prescription Drug detox?

When your body has become accustomed to the effects of a prescription drug, it becomes difficult to quit cold turkey. As the drugs leave your system, they produce prescription drug withdrawal symptoms, which may become severe.

Prescription drug withdrawal symptoms vary depending on the type of drug and the manner in which you used it. Prescription drug withdrawal symptoms that occur during home detox from opioids typically feel like the flu. They’re not always dangerous, but they can make you feel as though you’re dying.

Prescription drug withdrawal symptoms that happen when you stop using benzodiazepines are similar to those that occur when you detox from opioids. In addition to nausea, abdominal cramps, headaches and muscle pain, you might experience confusion, heart palpitations, panic attacks and trouble focusing.

Prescription drug detox from benzodiazepines can be dangerous if it’s not medically supervised. Because your body is used to being slowed down from the drugs, it can go into overdrive when you stop using them. Experts often recommend that you wean off of benzodiazepines gradually, especially if you’ve been taking large doses for a long time.

Detoxing from stimulants can also be hazardous. Some of the prescription drug withdrawal symptoms that are associated with stimulant detox include insomnia, anxiety, muscle pain, erratic moods and depression. If symptoms become severe, individuals may have suicidal thoughts and behaviors.

Prescription drug detox should be performed with medical supervision in a safe environment. For many people, home detox is the best option. Most people feel secure and comfortable at home. When everything else seems to be going haywire, remaining in a familiar environment is crucial. A successful prescription drug detox program sets you up for a long-lasting recovery.

If you want to stop using medications but are worried about prescription drug withdrawal symptoms, contact us for more information. We can help you get through the process with medical, physical, mental and emotional support so that you have the best chance of staying clean.

Most Commonly Abused Prescription Drugs

There are countless types of prescription drugs that someone can easily abuse and become addicted to. However, there are some prescription drugs that are more potent and powerful than others, making them more likely to be abused. Of the many prescription drugs that are available at any local pharmacy, some of the most commonly abused ones that people wind up become addicted to benzodiazepines, stimulants, and opioids.

OxyContin

OxyContin is by far the most widely prescribed opioid-based medication in the country. It is highly addictive, as abusing it for only a few days can lead to dependency and eventual addiction.

Fentanyl

Like OxyContin, fentanyl is an opioid prescription medication that is often used to treat individuals in extreme pain or for end-of-life care. Unfortunately, people have been illegally buying and selling fentanyl because of significant demand.

Vicodin

Vicodin is also an opioid painkiller and it is commonly prescribed for pre- and post-surgical procedures. Many individuals find themselves hooked on Vicodin, as it produces a feeling of relaxation and eases any and all pain.

Adderall

The most popular stimulant on the market, Adderall is known as the A+ drug, as it is widely abused by college students looking to stay awake to study.

Xanax

With anxiety disorders being the most common mental health conditions in the country, its no surprise that Xanax is one of the most abused prescription drugs that people get addicted to. This benzodiazepine produces intense feelings of relaxation and detachment from surroundings, both highly sought-after effects.

These are definitely the most abused prescription drugs in the country, leading to the development of several addictions. The most important thing an individual addicted to one of these medications can do is seek professional help to begin the detox process.

What Does Prescription Drug Detox Look Like?

Someone who is dependent on prescription drugs often needs to detox, as prescription drugs can be highly addictive. Detoxing refers to the process of clearing the body of all addictive substances, including prescription drugs. During this time, most people will develop withdrawal symptoms that range in severity from being uncomfortable to crippling. And while some people might experience the worst there has to offer from detox, others may not find it to be as distressing as some say. Either way, detoxing from prescription drugs usually triggers some unpleasant effects.

The type of withdrawal symptoms that someone will experience will be based on a number of factors. For example, the type of prescription drug, how much was being abused, and how frequently the abuse was occurring is all pertinent information when it comes to getting an idea of the severity of detox. The most intense detoxes are usually those where the individual was a heavy drug user, whereas the more tame detoxes happen to those who were not as heavy drug users. So, while it is not possible to predict what one’s exact detox will be like, there are several odds that play in a person’s favor one way or another.

This same expectation goes for how long prescription drug detox lasts. Again, it is not possible to predetermine how long the process will take, but it is typically the more intense prescription drug users that take the longest time fully detoxing. With any drug, there is a possibility for long-term withdrawal symptoms to develop, which are highly common in those with pre-existing mental health conditions or a family history of mental illness.

The most effective way to manage prescription drug detox is to do so in the care of trained professionals, such as us at MD Home Detox.

Detox From Prescription Drugs at Home

If you or someone you love is addicted to prescription drugs and needs help, reach out to us right now. We understand how challenging it can be to even considering detoxing, never mind actually doing it. Thankfully, you do not need to detox on your own thanks to us.

Our team at MD Home Detox is trained, certified, and highly skilled in seeing patients through detox safely and successfully. If you or a loved one needs assistance during the detox process, contact us right now to learn more about how we can help you — right in the comfort of your own home!