Prescription pill detox can be every bit as difficult as detoxing from street drugs. It also comes with many unique challenges. These include the mental and physical changes that go into any detoxification. Even if you weren’t a heavy user of prescription pills, your body and brain will still experience some discomfort. This can range from mild pains to serious suffering. Before you begin prescription pill detox, it’s important to know what to expect. When you know what is coming, you are able to prepare. This can make the process of quitting pills far easier and safer.
What is Prescription Pill Detox?
Detox, also known as detoxification, is the process by which toxins are removed from the body. This is the first step for anyone trying to quit using substances of any kind. Before someone can live without drugs, they must get their body back to a more natural state. This is necessary to end the cycle of dependency. The longer someone has used drugs, or the more they have used, the more difficult this process is. Detox is split into two types. These are:
Medical detox – Medical detox – AKA medically assisted detox or medically supervised detox – takes place in a clinical environment. This can be a hospital or other facility. During medical detox, medical professionals monitor the person. These people are able to help manage the symptoms of detox. Often, doctors will use medications to help make the detoxification process less uncomfortable. Anyone undergoing prescription pill detox should be in a medical facility in order to minimize the dangers that go along with pill use.
Social detox – Social detox takes many forms. If a person is quitting on their own, they are undertaking a “social” detox. Sometimes social detox takes place in a facility where the person is monitored. In this case, they are not given medical care unless an emergency arises. This can include a jail or state detox facility.
During detox, a person will go through withdrawal. Because withdrawal can have unpredictable symptoms, it is always safer to have medical care.
What is Withdrawal?
When a person uses a substance on a regular basis, their body becomes dependent on the substance. If the substance is removed, their body enters withdrawal. In withdrawal, the body and brain are craving the substance. This is because the person doesn’t feel “normal” without it. Anyone going through prescription pill detox is going to experience some level of withdrawal. Even if the person only used the pills as prescribed, they will still feel side-effects from quitting. Some of the most common symptoms of withdrawal are:
- Anxiety.
- Depression.
- Aches and pains.
- Shakiness.
- Sweating.
- Insomnia.
- Fast heartbeat.
- Tiredness.
- Irritability.
- Difficulty concentrating.
- Nausea.
- Vomiting.
- Seizures.
- Hallucinations.
- Death.
These can last for a few days to several weeks. Prescription pills tend to flush out of the system faster than other drugs. This is because they are manufactured legally and regulated by the FDA. Narcotics made in illegal facilities have no regulation or oversight.
Those who have used painkillers, especially opioids, will usually feel the effects of withdrawal for a week or two. People who have used Benzodiazepines – such as Xanax, Klonopin, Ativan, or Valium – can feel the effects for several months. Withdrawal from other pills have an equally wide range.
How intense the withdrawal symptoms are, and how long they last depends on how much a person used. If you take pills in higher dosages, or have been taking them on a daily basis for months or years will have more symptoms. These will also be more severe.
Prescription pill detox can be fatal. This is especially true with Benzodiazepines and opioids. Anyone quitting these needs to consult with a doctor before stopping. If you are seeking detox centers in Florida, reach out to us for help. We provide full medical detox. We are also able to make withdrawal easier.
How to Prepare for Prescription Pill Detox
There are a few steps that are important for anyone trying to quit pills. The better you prepare to detox, the easier it will be to recover. Many people relapse during the detox period because the drug cravings are so intense. Often, they will self-medicate with other substances during the detox period. This can lead to a new addiction. To avoid these issues, here’s some steps to make your prescription pill detox easier:
- Consult with a doctor before you quit.
- Undergo an evaluation in order to determine the best detox program for you.
- Take time for yourself to fully detox. This means taking a vacation from work, and maybe getting some space from your family.
- Seek out a comfortable detox facility. Medically assisted detox is always the safest way to go.
- Tell friends and family what you are trying to do. Their support will help.
- Give yourself ample time to rest. You’re going to feel sick.
- Provide yourself with healthy comfort foods. Nourishing your body during detox gives it the tools it needs to heal.
- Be kind to yourself. This process is painful.
One of the major things to remember during detox is your body is going to feel unnatural. You’re probably going to feel like you’re crawling out of your skin. On a physical level, you are changing the chemistry that you’re used to. This means your emotions are also going to be in upheaval. Be ready for feelings to come up. These are likely to be negative and hurtful. That’s okay. By surrounding yourself with positive support, you can make this process easier.
Get Help for Your Detox
It cannot be restated enough that prescription pill detox is hard. Doing it alone only makes it worse. It also makes it far more dangerous. By finding a comfortable detox facility with proper medical care, you increase your chances for success. When you have the right tools, the job is far simpler. No matter where you are, it helps to find a detox facility nearby.
If you’re looking for a Florida detox, call us and let us set you on the best path. Our staff is trained to manage the problems with prescription pill detox. They are here to get you through this and start you in your recovery. Quitting doesn’t need to be agony, and it certainly isn’t worth losing your life. To ensure your safety, let us help you quit. We offer personalized care and can build a treatment program to fit anyone.