The initial step on every journey of addiction recovery is admission to a medically assisted detoxification center. Those who have been abusing drugs or alcohol for any period of time almost always undergo some degree of withdrawal upon abrupt cessation of use. More often than not, the symptoms of withdrawal will lead a person back to substance use before the detoxification process is over. This is part of the reason why entering into an inpatient prescription drug detox program is so important.

At Boca Detox we provide a comprehensive detox program; one that focuses on more than a safe, pain-free drug and alcohol withdrawal. In addition to providing around the clock medical care, we actively prepare our clients for the next appropriate stage of their personal recovery journeys. During prescription drug detox, we conduct an individualized, in-depth evaluation, which helps us determine the length of our clients stay, what kind of medical intervention is necessary, and the next step for each client once they become physically stabilized.

The Boca Detox Center Method: Prescription Drug Detox

At Boca Detox, we take a unique approach to prescription drug detoxification. Whereas state-funded facilities and hospital settings offer standardized, impersonal care, we treat each of our clients on a highly individualized basis. The Boca Detox method focuses on more than physical stabilization. We work to adequately prepare our clients to take the next appropriate step on their personal journeys of addiction recovery. While medical detox is an important initial step on the road to recovery, it must be closely followed by a higher level of care in order to be truly effective. As part of the Guardian Recovery Network family, we work closely with several of the top residential rehabs and outpatient treatment programs in the country. Once you have undergone a safe, pain-free prescription drug withdrawal and have been deemed physically stable, we will help you determine which level of care is right for you. Contact us today to learn more about prescription drug withdrawal treatment options, or to get started on your own personal journey of recovery.

What is Prescription Drug Addiction?

When prescribed by a medical professional for the treatment of a specific health-related disorder or mental illness, prescription medications can be extremely beneficial. Central nervous depressants, like Valium and Xanax, are used to treat insomnia and other sleep-related disorders, anxiety disorders and – in some cases – convulsive disorders (seizures). Stimulant medications, like Ritalin and Adderall, are used to treat disorders like attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy. Opioid narcotic medications, like hydrocodone and OxyContin, are used for the management of pain-related symptoms. However, each of these prescription medications has a very high potential for misuse.

Over the course of the past several years, prescription drug abuse has been skyrocketing – mostly as a result of over-prescription. According to the 2017 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, over 2 million Americans admitted to abusing prescription painkillers within the past year. When further broken down, this study revealed that during the same year over 1 million Americans abused prescription stimulants, 1.5 million abused prescription tranquilizers and roughly 271,000 abused prescription sedatives.

Signs of Prescription Drug Misuse & Dependence

If you believe you or someone you love has been suffering from a diagnosable prescription drug use disorder, there are several signs and symptoms to keep an eye out for. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-V) outlines a list of diagnostic criteria used to identify the presence of a prescription drug use disorder. If you answer “yes” to two or more of the following questions, seeking professional help from a medical detox center is likely a good idea.

1. Do you sometimes end up using a higher dose of prescription drugs than you originally intended, or do you use prescription drugs more frequently than you intend to?
2. Have you wanted to cut back on your dose or quit entirely, only to find you were unable to do so for any significant period of time?
3. Do you spend a significant amount of time obtaining prescription drugs, using prescription drugs and recovering from their effects?
4. Do you often think of using prescription drugs/do you ever experience intense cravings?
5. Has your drug use interfered with your ability to fulfill personal obligations or negatively impacted your performance at work or at school?
6. Have you experienced interpersonal problems as a direct result of your prescription drug use?
7. Have you given up activities which were once interesting or important to you in order to engage in prescription drug use?
8. Have you been engaging in risk-taking activities more often than normal, like driving while under the influence of prescription drugs or combining prescription drugs with other substances like alcohol or opioid narcotics?
9. Do you continue to use prescription drugs despite physical or psychological health concerns directly related to the prescription medication?
10. Have you developed a physical tolerance, meaning a higher dose is required in order for the desired effects to be achieved?
11. Do you experience withdrawal symptoms when prescription drug use is stopped abruptly?

What are the Signs & Symptoms of the Different Prescription Drug Withdrawals?

Symptoms of Prescription Opioid Withdrawal

Flu-like symptoms, such as night sweats, body tremors, watery eyes and a runny nose, profuse yawning, sleep-related issues, gastrointestinal problems like nausea, vomiting and diarrhea and intense anxiety. Medical detox is necessary because the intense cravings associated with opioid withdrawal often lead individuals back to active use before the detox process is complete.

Symptoms of Prescription Stimulant Withdrawal

Excessive fatigue and drowsiness, increased appetite, general feelings of physical discomfort, intense and persistent headaches, profuse sweating and body tremors. The psychological symptoms of stimulant withdrawal – such as anxiety, panic attacks and an overall depressed mood – are typically more severe than the physical symptoms.

Symptoms of Prescription Depressant or Tranquilizer Withdrawal

Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, intense muscle cramping and body aches, increased body temperature, high blood pressure, increased heart rate and heart palpitations and seizure. These symptoms can be life-threatening if not professionally treated in a medical detox setting.

Which Prescription Drug Withdrawals Are Fatal?

The symptoms associated with benzodiazepine withdrawal can be fatal if left untreated. Even those who have been misusing a benzodiazepine medication like Xanax, Valium of Klonopin for a short period of time can experience severe and potentially life-threatening physical symptoms, including heart attacks and seizures. While the symptoms associated with opioid and stimulant withdrawal are not typically life-threatening, the physical symptoms can be harshly uncomfortable, and the psychological symptoms can lead to serious complications. Regardless of which type of prescription drug you were using, a short stay in an inpatient detox center is always a good idea.

• 24-48 hours after the final dose – Symptoms begin to worsen in severity. In many cases, symptoms resemble the symptoms of a bad flu or cold.
• 72 hours after the final dose – Withdrawal symptoms begin to peak at around 3 or 4 days. These symptoms might include nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, severe stomach cramping, body aches and pains, restlessness, irritability and insomnia.
• 5-7 days after the final dose – The more severe symptoms begin to subside. Drug cravings often persist, along with some psychological symptoms like anxiety, depressed mood and/or insomnia.

What should you expect as you undergo prescription drug withdrawal in a medical detox center like Boca Detox? You can expect to be treated around the clock by a team of licensed medical professionals who have one common goal — to ensure you are as comfortable as possible over the course of your stay. Very few of the addiction services we provide are mandatory. You are encouraged to participate in therapy sessions, group workshops and 12 Step meetings if you feel up to doing so. As you undergo a safe and pain-free withdrawal in our homestyle retreat-style center, your case manager will work directly with the remainder of your treatment team in developing a personalized aftercare plan. To learn more about what to expect from the medical detox process, contact us today.

How Will Boca Detox Center Treat My Prescription Drug Detox Symptoms?

• Addiction Assessment – Conducting an in-depth addiction assessment helps the medical team determine which detox services are going to be the most beneficial for each unique case while helping clients develop a thorough plan for continuing care. At Boca Detox we conduct a detailed assessment within several hours of admission, which includes family history of substance use, a physical evaluation and a psychological evaluation.\
• Medical Care – Clients have access to professional medical care 24/7. Vitals are checked regularly, and if anything seems abnormal it will be treated accordingly. Sometimes, medications prove beneficial during the detox stage of the treatment process. We help ease the pain of withdrawal by offering individuals MAT in a comfortable, homestyle setting with expert medical and clinical staff.
• Individualized Therapy – At Boca Detox we believe in client-driven therapy, meaning that specific therapeutic goals are determined by each individual client and his or her licensed therapist in a collaborative setting. Underlying issues are resolved while the client is in treatment, however, we encourage a continuation of individual therapy once detox has concluded.
• Psychiatric Services – At Boca Detox we offer dual diagnosis treatment services for clients who have previously been diagnosed with a mental illness and for clients who are experiencing severe psychological withdrawal symptoms. Clients have access to professional psychiatric care, and they have the option of meeting one-on-one with an on-staff psychiatrist whenever they need extra assistance.
• Aftercare/Continuing Care – While in detox, our clients work closely with a team of professionals including an individual therapist and a case manager. This team works together to help clients craft detailed, strategic aftercare plans for the time following medical detox. Aftercare could include continuing treatment in a residential rehab, an intensive outpatient setting, taking up residence in a sober living home, continuing personal therapy work and/or active involvement in a recovery community.

• Non-narcotic sleep aids to help alleviate insomnia.
• If a client is simultaneously struggling with underlying mental illness or if the psychological symptoms of withdrawal are particularly severe, an anti-anxiety medication or antidepressant might be prescribed.
• In severe cases of prescription opioid withdrawal, MAT (like buprenorphine or naltrexone) may be utilized — however, MAT is more commonly prescribed during the next stage of addiction treatment (residential rehab, PHP or IOP).
• Anticonvulsant medications might be used if a person has been struggling with a particularly severe benzodiazepine use disorder or if they have a personal history of seizures.

Prescription Drug Abuse Recovery Statistics & Outlook

Medical detox will always be necessary to treat the symptoms of prescription drug withdrawal. At Boca Detox we utilize numerous proven and effective detoxification methods, including Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) and tapering. Our team of medical professionals is composed of a combination of addiction specialists, prescribing physicians, and licensed therapists and psychiatrists. We provide quality clinical care in a homestyle retreat, which was carefully designed with client comfort in mind. We understand that committing to recovery can be scary, and that the anticipation of undergoing prescription drug withdrawal is generally much worse than the withdrawal process itself. Rest assured that you are in good hands, and our staff members all work together to make the process pain-free and efficient.

Contact Us to Learn More

The symptoms associated with prescription drug withdrawal can be extremely uncomfortable — even life-threatening — when left untreated. It is important to seek the care of a team of experienced medical professionals before associated symptoms peak in severity. At Boca Detox we effectively treat the symptoms associated with prescription drug withdrawal while providing our clients with the tools they need to continue along on their personal journeys of addiction recovery. Getting started is as simple as reaching out for help. Once you make initial contact, either through our website or over the phone, you are put in touch with one of our experienced Treatment Advisors who will answer any additional questions and walk you through our simple admissions process. We begin by conducting a brief pre-assessment, which helps our medical team determine which detox methods are the best fit for you. We offer a free, no obligation insurance benefit check and help arrange local transportation to our Boca, Florida detox center. All you have to do is reach out for help, and we will take care of the rest.