While prescription drugs like painkillers are common daily, they can lead to substance use disorders. When someone develops a dependence on prescription medications, detox is the first step in recovery. Detoxing from prescription drugs can be difficult without support. Learning how to detox from prescription drugs and when to seek addiction treatment can help.
If you or someone you love is ready to learn more about prescription drug addiction treatment, BrightView can help. Our outpatient programs provide comprehensive treatment without compromising your schedule. Call us now at 888.501.9865 to learn more about detoxing from prescription drugs and start treatment in as little as four hours.
What Is Prescription Drug Detox?
Prescription drugs change the chemical processes in a person’s brain. Painkillers like OxyContin and fentanyl work by blocking pain receptors in the brain and boosting dopamine. Benzos like Xanax and Klonopin raise GABA levels to promote calm and relaxation. Whether someone misuses or takes these prescription drugs, the brain and body rely on these medications for certain chemical processes. This is called dependence. When someone becomes dependent on a prescription, their brain may stop making these chemicals. Then when someone stops taking a prescription, the brain and body detox the substance and go through withdrawal.
Withdrawal is a normal response to a change in the nutrients and essential chemicals the brain receives each day. It can also be the most difficult step in detoxing. During detox, the body processes excess waste from prescription medications while the brain rebalances and produces dopamine, GABA, and other chemicals. Withdrawal can last several days with symptoms recurring or returning weeks or months later depending on someone’s physical and mental health, drug history, and medical intervention.
Detoxing From Prescription Drugs
Like other forms of detox, a person will feel worse before they feel better during a prescription drug detox. Medication management can be one of the best support tools during recovery. However, patients can’t start taking medications like Suboxone, Vivitrol, and methadone until prescription drugs are out of their system. They must go through the initial week or two of detox before beginning medication management.
Ways to manage drug detox include:
- Staying hydrated, including electrolytes
- Gently exercising
- Eating nutritious food
- Having a support system
Stopping any prescription cold turkey without medical support can be dangerous. Talking with your doctor can help you determine a plan to lessen withdrawal and safely detox. During detox, withdrawal symptoms can make it hard to prevent reuse. This means it’s especially important to have a support system at home and a drug and alcohol-free space during the initial days of detox.
Begin Prescription Drug Addiction Treatment Today
Prescription drug addiction treatment is the safest, most effective way to stop taking prescription drugs, prevent overdose, and achieve lasting sobriety. At BrightView, our team is here to help you start feeling better today. With a focus on accessible treatment for alcohol and drug use disorders, we provide a range of outpatient treatment options to help you and your loved ones recover together. Our comprehensive treatment programs include the following:
- Group therapy
- Family therapy
- Individual therapy
- Suboxone
- Vivitrol injection
- Methadone
- MAT
- 24/7 helpline
At BrightView, we treat patients like people and addiction like a disease. Our compassionate staff is here to empower our patients through therapy, MAT, and relapse prevention. We know accessibility is a key to recovery, so we take walk-in appointments and can begin treatment in as few as four hours. With Suboxone on-site, our patients get the support they need in one place.
Learn More About Prescription Drug Detox
If you’re ready for a different kind of recovery, call us now at 888.501.9865 or complete our brief web form to get started with prescription drug addiction treatment.
