Prescription Drug Detox

Pharmaceutical medications have helped many people heal and get relief. People who struggle with chronic pain, depression, and anxiety, among other conditions, often look to their physicians for help. Unfortunately, the drugs that are often prescribed to help with these illnesses are often just a band-aid to the problem and may cause more long-term harm than good. Some prescription drugs can form addiciton, when taken over a long period of time, or in incorrect doses.

We Level Up Lake Worth FL treatment center conducts a safe and efficient prescription drug detox Florida program, where the entire process happens under medical supervision. We also provide post-detox support for overcoming addiction and achieving long-term recovery. Learn more about what prescription drugs are, why they can be habit-forming, and how our expert team helps people break from dependence.

Types of Prescription Drugs

There are many types of prescription drugs. Let’s group them into:

1. Opioids
2. Stimulants
3. Sedatives/CNS Depressants

Opiates are a similar form of these drugs where the active ingredient is naturally occurring. These substances include opium, morphine, and codeine.

All of these substances are highly addictive and contribute to the opioid epidemic that has been crippling America for decades. Opioid and opiate detox is often necessary to help those who have been battling this form of addiction.

Stimulants

Stimulants are a class of prescription drugs used to manage conditions associated with attention and focus, such as ADHD. These benefit people with attention deficiency by enhancing their cognitive function and sharpening their focus. However, they work by stimulating the production of dopamine, a naturally occurring hormone responsible for feelings of pleasure and induce a sort of “high” upon entering the bloodstream. The high becomes a sensation that users seek, and can lead to addiction. Prescription drug detox and a comprehensive rehab program can break addiction to stimulants.

Common examples of prescription stimulants include:

• Ritalin
• Adderall
• Concerta
• Desoxyn
• Dexedrine
• Suprenza

Sedatives/CNS Depressants

Sedatives are a class of drugs that do just that: they sedate the user. The level of sedation may vary depending on the exact drug, the dosage, and factors related to the individual taking the medication. Sedatives, or CNS depressants, are prescribed to people who struggle with anxiety and sleeping disorders. They can have a calming effect on the user by increasing the presence of GABA, a neurotransmitter that slows activity in the central nervous system.

As mentioned, the sedative effect can vary from simply making an individual relaxed to making them extremely drowsy. People who are trying to escape feelings such as anxiety, fear, and depression, may abuse these substances to avoid these feelings for a little while.

Some common sedatives on the market are:

• Xanax
• Ambien
• Valium
• Klonopin
• Mebaral
• Nembutal

Signs of Prescription Drug Addiction

Without any obvious signs, identifying early addiction to prescription drugs can be difficult. Day-to-day activities and routines might not change at all. In fact, the user may seem completely normal at first. However, things eventually start to change, and signs begin to appear. When they do, it is important that the individual and their loved ones do not brush off the signs as something other than addiction.

General signs of prescription drug abuse include:

• Ingesting dosages greater than what was prescribed by their doctor.
• An increased tolerance that leads to higher consumption to achieve the desired effect.
• A desire to continue using the drug even after the original symptoms subside.
• Taking other people’s prescription medication or suspicious behavior to obtain medication.
• Exaggeration of, or creation of imaginary symptoms to obtain more medication.
• Isolation and withdrawal from friends, family and professional circles.
• Noticeable mood swings and other irregular behavior.
• Lack of desire to experiment with non-pharmaceutical drug treatment options.
• Financial issues that may be the result of excessive drug purchases and use.

If you recognize any of these signs in yourself or your loved one, make sure to seek help from our drug rehab Florida center. We will help you stop your drug use and stay sober.

Benefits of Prescription Drug Detox Program

Opting for drug detox in Florida treatment centers is the best choice for anyone who is trying to overcome this type of addiction. This is because detox programs are tailored to provide medical interventions when necessary, and provide physical and psychological support to lower the risk of relapse. Specific benefits of a prescription drug detox in a treatment center include the following:

• 24/7 monitoring.
• Medical interventions.
• Access to alternative therapies.
• Licensed addiction professionals.
• Individualized treatment plans.

Symptoms of Withdrawal

In addition to being uncomfortable, the prescription drug detox can be downright dangerous. Depending on numerous factors, the process may take days or upwards of a week or two. In some cases, the withdrawal symptoms can be severe, and even fatal. These are all reasons why it is important to get help at our professional medical detox Florida facility. Medications can be prescribed to ease the detox process, but this must be done so with professional care and close monitoring.

Opioids

Withdrawal symptoms regarding opioids at a prescription drug detox include:

• Drowsiness, lethargy, and/or random sleeping habits
• Lack of desire to exercise
• Shallow or poor breathing
• Decreased libido
• Cold and flu symptoms
• Nausea and headaches
• Poor hygiene
• Bad decisions or habits
• Ignoring responsibilities
• Difficulty with personal and professional relationships
• Weight loss

Stimulants

When you quit using stimulants, you might experience the following:

• Jumpy or over-energetic
• Fast and excessive speech
• High blood pressure
• Constant alertness
• High body temperature
• Delusions and paranoia
• Anxiety
• Nausea
• Chest pain
• Headache
• Erratic heartbeat
• Random sleep patterns

Sedatives

Quitting sedative use might lead to:

• Drowsiness
• Poor memory
• Slurred speech
• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Off balance or lack of steadiness
• Poor coordination
• Dilated pupils
• Depression
• Agitation
• Paranoia
• Aggressive behavior

Risks of Prescription Drug Addiction

Prescription drugs carry a high risk of dependence. Let’s explore:

1. Opioid risks
2. Stimulant risks
3. Sedative/CNS depressant risks

Opioid Risk

An overdose is triggered when the user consumes too much of the opioid. They may do this thinking that more will improve the pain-relieving effects, unaware of the real risk. In reality, an increased dosage does not always increase the efficacy but it does always increase the risk of fatal health complications.

There were 6,157 fatal overdoses in Florida in 2023. One of the most severe side effects of opioids is slowed breathing. In fact, it is possible for opioids to completely stop an individual’s breathing and cause death.

Another potentially fatal side effect is that of an irregular heart rhythm. The drugs that fall under this category are also depressants which cause drowsiness and impaired decision-making skills.

Stimulant Risks

As a user increases the quantity and frequency of their amphetamine habit, they fall into a cycle of medicating and then crashing. Coming down from these drugs will often result in long episodes of depression, fatigue, anxiety, and ultimately a craving for more. If a user makes the mistake of ingesting an extremely high dose of amphetamines, they are at serious risk of overdose, which may lead to seizure, coma, or even death. If you or your loved one need help with overcoming addiction to stimulants, don’t hesitate to contact our inpatient rehab Florida treatment center for more information and support.

Sedative/CNS Depressant Risks

Sedatives present a high risk of accidental overdose. This can occur when a user ingests a first dosage, and then in, a drowsy and confused state of mind, mistakenly ingests another dose. There is a fine line between the amount that allows one to sleep and the amount that can push someone over the edge toward death.

Mixing sedatives with other substances like alcohol, other meds or heroin increases the risk of fatalities. This is never a good idea and the majority of these scenarios will often end in overdose complications or death.

If you recognize signs of addiction in yourself or anyone in your surroundings, don’t hesitate to contact us for expert advice and best medical care.

Rebuild Your Life with the Help From Our Prescription Drug Detox Florida Center

It all might start as a legitimate use of drugs that a doctor has described. However, it can quickly turn into an addiction that will ruin your whole life. Using these substances can cause fatigue, drowsiness, anxiety, and even cause you trouble breathing and lead to death. This is why it is important to take action immediately and seek help from our prescription drug detox Florida center. The caring and compassionate team at our Lake Worth FL rehab center will help you stop using drugs, learn how to live sober, and rebuild your life.