PRESCRIPTION DETOX
Prescription medications are potentially more dangerous than any drug you can get on the street. There are many classes of prescription drugs that you can become addicted to. These include opiates and opioids, benzodiazepines (tranquilizers), barbiturates (sleeping pills), stimulants such as Ritalin and Adderall, antidepressants, and more.
The good news is that with a medically staffed detox and a treatment program that is tailored to your specific needs, it is possible to overcome your prescription addiction and go on to lead a happy and fulfilled life, free of debilitating fear.
TYPES OF PRESCRIPTIONS
OPIOIDS
- Codeine
- Fentanyl
- Hyrdocodone
- Methadone
- Morphine
- Oxycodone
- OxyContin
- Percocet
- Demerol
Learn more specifically about Opioid Detox
Learn MoreBENZODIAZEPINES
- Xanax
- Klonopin
- Librium
- Valium
- Ativan
Learn more specifically about Benzo Detox
Learn MoreOVER-THE-COUNTER
- Cough syrup
- Pain killers
- Diet pills
- Sleep aids
- Allergy Medicines
Learn more specifically about OTC Detox
Learn MoreCAN YOU QUIT BENZODIAZEPINES COLD TURKEY?
Quitting cold turkey is never recommended because the individual will experience extreme withdrawal symptoms very quickly. If is important to experience withdrawal in a medically assisted detox. Quitting cold turkey can create serious health issues for an individual, and can even...
BENZODIAZEPINES WITHDRAWAL SYMPTOMS
Because benzos build tolerance, a person will require increasingly more of the drug to find their high. It’s critical that the treatment process be under professional care. Withdrawal symptoms can be very intense and dangerous, even life threatening themselves. Do not simply remove the drug from their reach.
Get Help NowSome of the symptoms of benzodiazepines withdrawal can include:
- Increased heart rate and blood pressure
- Excessive sweating
- Hand tremors
- Hallucinations
- Seizures
And ironically, the very conditions that may have led to use in the first place can be exacerbated as withdrawals kick in, including anxiety, depression and insomnia.
If you or a loved one is struggling with Trauma &
Addiction, reach out for help today
BENZODIAZEPINES WITHDRAWAL TIMELINE
Thie withdrawal timeline for individuals will vary depending on their length of addiction, dosage, and personal health. The withdrawal timeline will also depend on the type of benzodiazepines they were using; short acting or long acting.
SHORT-ACTING BENZODIAZEPINES (Xanax, Ativan, Restoril):
Withdrawal symptoms begin 6-8 hours after last use
Symptoms peak around second day
Symptoms begin to improve on fifth or sixth day
LONG-ACTING BENZODIAZEPINES(Valium, Librium):
Up to a week to see symptoms of withdrawal
Symptoms peak around second week
Symptoms begin to improve on fifth or sixth week
MEDICATION FOR BENZODIAZEPINES WITHDRAWAL
Anxiety disorders are a form of mental illness that causes people to experience distressing and frequent bouts of fear and apprehension. Anxiety disorder is a diagnosis that encompasses one or more very different conditions. Symptoms can range from moderate and occasional to severe and constantly present pains disorder, social anxiety disorder, phobias, or generalized anxiety disorder.
SSRI ANTI-
DEPRESSANTS
These types of medications may be used to aid in anxiety symptoms of withdrawal.
ANTI-
CONVULSANTSDS
These types of medications may be used to help in situations where the individual has a history of seizures.
BETA-BLOCKERS
Beta-blockers could be used to help with the physical symptoms of withdrawal.
CLONIDINE
Clonidine is used to maintain an individuals blood pressure during withdrawal.
OUR DETOX PROCESS
Not every individual needs detox, but usually it is a vital step into full recovery.
At Peaks Recovery, our medical detox stages can look like this:
Stages of Detox

Evaluation
Within the first 24 hours of admission you will meet with our primary care physician and psychiatrist for a health and physical screening and full psychiatric evaluation.

Stabilization
To address any primary drug and alcohol substance use disorder; including any underlying mental health concerns, requires medical stabilization to ensure every patient’s safety and well-being so that they can focus on their recovery goals.

Rehabilitation
Medical Detox addresses the acute physiological and psychiatric concerns. Like the removal of a cast, the real rehabilitation begins after medical detox.
AFTER PRESCRIPTION DETOX
Therapy After Our Colorado Drug & Alcohol Detox Center
Detoxing from Benzodiazepines is the first step toward recovery. However, the evidence is clear that the longer a person distances themselves from their last use of Benzodiazepines, the greater chance of recovery. At Peaks Recovery Centers, the next step in our recovery process is transitioning into our gender specific residential inpatient rehab.
MEN'S RESIDENTIAL REHAB
Learn MoreOvercome Addiction and Live Sober.
Take the next step today.
CAN YOU QUIT OVER-THE-COUNTER MEDICINES COLD TURKEY?
It is not recommended to quit over the counter medicines cold turkey. Stopping these medications cold-turkey may intensify the symptoms and make it difficult for you to cope. Medical intervention can help you to detox from OTC drugs and get you back to feeling like yourself once again.
OTC WITHDRAWAL SYMPTOMS
While addictions don’t often occur with OTC drugs, it is possible to become dependent with prolonged abuse. If you are experiencing withdrawal symptoms in between doses, this may be a sign that an addiction has taken hold.
Get Help NowSome of the symptoms of OTC medicine withdrawal can include:
- Confusion or brain fog
- Mood swings
- Irritability
- Hallucinations
- Aggressive or hostile behavior
- Severe depression
- Insomnia
- Sleeping too much
OTC WITHDRAWAL TIMELINE
For over the counter medicines, it is hard to say how long the withdrawal symptoms will last. For an individual who has a less severe case, symptoms may start to arise with a couple days, and last a week. For someone who has a more severe addiction, withdrawal symptoms could last 2-3 weeks. The first couple of days are going to be the hardest, with the symptoms gradually getting better.
MEDICATION FOR OTC MEDICINE WITHDRAWALS
In a medically assisted detox, there are a few medications that are used to help the individual withdrawal symptoms become less severe and more tolerable. Some of these medications could include:
ANTI-NAUSEA
AGENTS
Anti-nausea agents, such as Dramamine, can help with diarrhea, stomach aches, and vomiting.
NSAID’s
Ibuprofen and Tylenol are use for muscle, joint, and bone pain withdrawal symptoms.
NATURAL SLEEP
AIDS
Melatonin and valerian could be used to help with insomnia.
OUR DETOX PROCESS
Not every individual needs detox, but usually it is a vital step into full recovery.
At Peaks Recovery, our medical detox stages can look like this:
Stages of Detox

Evaluation
Within the first 24 hours of admission you will meet with our primary care physician and psychiatrist for a health and physical screening and full psychiatric evaluation.

Stabilization
To address any primary drug and alcohol substance use disorder; including any underlying mental health concerns, requires medical stabilization to ensure every patient’s safety and well-being so that they can focus on their recovery goals.

Rehabilitation
Medical Detox addresses the acute physiological and psychiatric concerns. Like the removal of a cast, the real rehabilitation begins after medical detox.
AFTER OTC MEDICINE DETOX
Therapy After Our Colorado Drug & Alcohol Detox Center
Detoxing from OTC’s is the first step toward recovery. However, the evidence is clear that the longer a person distances themselves from their last use of OTC’s, the greater chance of recovery. At Peaks Recovery Centers, the next step in our recovery process is transitioning into our gender specific residential inpatient rehab.
MEN'S RESIDENTIAL REHAB
Learn MoreSources:
https://www.withdrawal.net/benzodiazepine/symptoms-timeline-effects/#withdrawal-timeline-
https://www.withdrawal.net/benzodiazepine/medication-detox-treatment/