Prescription Drug Abuse, Addiction, and Detox Treatment

Prescription drug detox is a fundamental first step to overcoming dependence on medications that, when misused, can lead to addiction. Whether opioids prescribed for pain, benzodiazepines for anxiety, or stimulants for attention disorders, detoxing from prescription drugs helps the body adjust safely to function without the substance.

It’s a vital process because if you were to abruptly stop certain medicines, it could trigger intense withdrawal symptoms requiring professional medical care to manage effectively.

Attempting to detox on your own, especially with drugs altering brain chemistry and creating physical dependence, can be risky.

A professional detox provides necessary medical supervision to help control your withdrawal symptoms, reduce discomfort and prevent dangerous complications. Our facility at Costa Mesa Detox is structured and supportive so you can begin your recovery journey. We offer tailored care designed to help you navigate detox comfortably and confidently.

Why Does Prescription Drug Dependence Form?

Prescription drugs like opioids, benzodiazepines and stimulants are often prescribed for treating legitimate medical conditions such as pain, anxiety and attention disorders. Unfortunately, these medicines also have a high risk of dependence and addiction when misused or used long-term.

• Opioids (e.g., hydrocodone, oxycodone) are painkillers that attach to opioid receptors in the brain and, in doing so, block pain signals and create euphoric feelings. The brain becomes less responsive to normal doses over time, leading to tolerance, where higher amounts are needed for the same effects.
• Benzodiazepines (e.g., Valium, Xanax) are prescribed for anxiety and sleep disorders and work by enhancing the effect of GABA. GABA is a neurotransmitter that calms the brain’s activity. With continued use, the brain reduces its natural GABA production, leading to dependence on the drug for maintaining emotional stability.
• Stimulants (e.g., Adderall, Ritalin) used for treating ADHD increase the brain’s levels of dopamine and norepinephrine, improving energy and focus. Prolonged use can disrupt the brain’s reward system, leading to cravings.

As tolerance builds, a person requires higher drug doses to feel the impacts, increasing the risk of dependence.

Over time, the body and brain rely on the drug to function, leading to dependence.

When the use of the drug is suddenly stopped, the brain struggles to regain balance, resulting in withdrawal symptoms.

Symptoms of Prescription Drug Withdrawal

The symptoms of prescription drug withdrawal depend on the type, dosage and how long someone used it.

Based on drug type, some of the common withdrawal symptoms can include:

• Opioids can cause physical symptoms, including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, sweating and muscle aches. Psychological symptoms like anxiety and intense cravings can also occur.
•  Benzodiazepines tend to have psychological symptoms, including severe anxiety, panic attacks and insomnia. The brain can become overstimulated without the calming effects of benzodiazepines, and sometimes, seizures can occur as a result, as well as overall emotional distress.
• Stimulant withdrawal can cause fatigue, depression and sleep disturbances. Anhedonia can also occur, which is the inability to feel pleasure, as can lethargy.

The timeline for prescription drug detox varies as well but can look like the following:

• The early phase, or the initial onset, usually begins within 6-24 hours after the last dose, depending on the drug’s half-life.
• The acute phase involves more intense physical and psychological symptoms.
• The protracted phase is when the acute symptoms have started to subside. An individual may enter this phase, where symptoms can linger but with less intensity. Fatigue, sleep disturbances and mood swings may persist during this time, especially for someone withdrawing from benzodiazepines and stimulants.

Treatment Options During Prescription Drug Detox

At Costa Mesa Detox, prescription drug detox is a medically supervised process to ensure safety and comfort while managing the sometimes difficult symptoms of withdrawal. Medical supervision around the clock is a cornerstone of our approach, allowing us to closely monitor each patient’s progress, administer treatments as needed and respond to possible complications.

The constant care helps manage the physical and psychological aspects of withdrawal to ensure patients are supported throughout the detox process.

One of the most effective tools to manage withdrawal symptoms is the use of medications tailored to the specific type of drug being detoxed from.

For example, during benzodiazepine detox, a tapering method may be used, gradually lowering the dose to minimize withdrawal symptoms.

In opioid detox, medication-assisted therapy with medicines like buprenorphine can reduce cravings and ease withdrawal by stabilizing the body’s opioid receptors.

These medications not only make the detox process more tolerable but also help prevent relapse during the early stages of recovery.

Detox is also about addressing psychological and emotional challenges that arise, so we incorporate behavioral therapy into treatment and holistic treatment options to support overall well-being during detox.

Through a mixture of medical, psychological and holistic treatments, our prescription drug detox program provides a well-rounded approach to recovery.

What To Expect During Prescription Drug Detox

At Costa Mesa detox, the process starts with a comprehensive intake assessment to evaluate each patient’s medical history, substance use, and mental health. This initial step lets us develop a personalized treatment plan tailored to each person, ensuring we fully address both physical and emotional challenges throughout the detox process.

Our expert team is skilled in managing the physical symptoms of prescription drug withdrawal, and we also focus on the emotional aspects of helping patients cope with cravings, depression and anxiety.

At Costa Mesa Detox, we provide a peaceful, supportive environment where personalized care is delivered in a calm setting so you can focus on your recovery. We also offer dual diagnosis treatment for people with co-occurring mental health issues.

After detox, we emphasize the importance of continuing care.

If you or a loved one is ready for the first step toward recovery, contact us today. Costa Mesa Detox is here to guide you through the detox process and support your journey to long-term sobriety.