At Immersion Recovery we understand how difficult prescription drug withdrawal can be. Many times withdrawal symptoms are so serve that those struggling with an addiction to prescription drugs return to using within 24 hours. The key to overcoming this obstacle is a medically supervised detox where withdrawal symptoms can be identified and treated immediately. At Immersion Recovery Center we perform an in-depth initial evaluation and tailor a treatment plan unique to each clients needs and recovery goals. Immersion Recovery Center provides 24 hour medical supervision and comfort care for our detox clients. Our medical and client support team’s goal is to make sure all clients have a safe and comfortable detox so they can begin the next phase in their recovery journey.

What are prescription drugs? There are many different types and not all have the potential to be habit-forming. However, many prescription drugs can lead to addiction when misused. There are three main types of prescription that are frequently abused: depressants, stimulants, and opioid narcotics. Here is a list of some of the most commonly abused prescription drugs and a description of what medical conditions or mental health disorders they are intended for:

• Benzodiazepines: Some commonly abused benzodiazepines (benzos) include Xanax, Ativan, Valium, and Klonopin. Those who are abusing these drugs usually take them orally. Benzos are used to treat anxiety disorders, seizures, or symptoms of alcohol withdrawal.
• Barbiturates: This classification of depressants include Nembunal, Seconal, and Amytal, and the drugs can be taken orally or intravenously. Barbiturates are used to treat migraines, insomnia, and seizures.
• Sleep Medications: Commonly abused sleep medications include Lunesta, Ambien, and Sonata. These medications are taken orally and are generally used to treat sleep-related disorders like insomnia or night terrors.

• Amphetamines: Commonly abused amphetamines include Adderall, Dexedrine, and Biphetamine which are taken orally, intravenously, smoked, or snorted. Most prescription amphetamines are used to treat concentration-related disorders like attention-deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD).
• Methylphenidate: Commonly abused methylphenidate include Ritalin and Concerta which are either swallowed, snorted, or injected. Both of these drugs are used to treat ADHD.

• Fentanyl: Fentanyl is an extremely potent opioid narcotic that is used to treat severe chronic pain. Fentanyl has been responsible for a great number of overdose-related deaths because heroin dealers will frequently cut their product with the powerful drug.
• Codeine: Codeine is a pain medication often used to treat mild to moderate pain. It is often taken in the form of a cough syrup and is known to be extremely habit-forming.
• Methadone: Methadone is used to treat moderate pain and is also used to treat the symptoms of heroin addiction. Those who have been abusing heroin for an extended period of time might utilize methadone which doesn’t produce a “high” unless taken in very large amounts to combat physical symptoms and psychological cravings.
• Morphine: Morphine is generally used to treat severe pain in a hospital setting and is extremely habit-forming. Morphine abuse can be deadly when the drug is taken with a depressant like alcohol.
• Oxycontin: Oxycontin is the brand name for oxycodone, a narcotic used to treat moderate to severe pain. The rates of oxycodone abuse are extremely high and those that abuse this specific drug will often begin using heroin eventually.
• Hydrocodone: Hydrocodone is another very commonly abused opioid narcotic, one that when prescribed is used to treat moderate to severe pain.

If you have been abusing any of the above-listed prescription medications, it is crucial that you seek professional care immediately. Despite the belief that these drugs are safe because they are usually prescribed by doctors, the truth is, misusing any of these drugs can lead to a host of serious mental, emotional, and physical consequences. We at Immersion Recovery have extensive experience treating chemical dependency of all time – please reach out to learn more about our comprehensive program of prescription drug addiction recovery.

• Stealing prescription medications from friends, family members, or strangers (raiding the medicine cabinet at a random house party, for example).
• Doctor shopping – obtaining prescriptions from more than one doctor.
• Failure to complete responsibilities or take care of obligations, resulting in a lack of reliability.
• Consistently reporting medications lost or stolen in order to obtain more of the drug of choice – dishonesty and manipulation.
• Changing methods of use in order to achieve a more intense high (rather than take a pill orally crushing a pill up and snorting it or using it intravenously).
• Denial, justification, and the inability to provide straight answers when confronted (about prescription drug use).

• Mood swings, inexplicable changes in mood and attitude (usually marked by increased agitation and irritability).
• Difficulty making decisions and clouded judgment.
• A mental obsession with obtaining and using the drug of choice.
• Symptoms of anxiety and depression.
• A change in perception.
• Interpersonal issues – problems with close friends and family members.
• Inability to focus on anything for an extended period of time.
• Intense cravings.
• Insomnia.
• Headaches, dizziness, nausea, and vomiting.

Detoxing from prescription drugs is an extremely uncomfortable process that can lead to serious health-related complications when not overseen by a team of medical professionals. In most cases physical and psychological symptoms will overlap. At Immersion Recovery Center we offer our residents a comprehensive individualized detox program geared towards making the withdrawal process as painless as possible. While symptoms cannot be entirely avoided we do all we can to assure that they are tolerable and resolved as quickly as possible. We provide medication-assisted treatment (MAT) whenever necessary and introduce all of our residents to cognitive behavioral therapy while they are in detox to help with the emotional symptoms of withdrawal. Some common side effects of prescription drug detox include:

Of course depending on what drug was being abused the symptoms of withdrawal will vary. For example, those that were abusing prescription stimulants are more likely to experience symptoms like extreme fatigue, sleep-related issues, stomach cramps and nausea, and depression. Those that have been grappling an addiction to opioid narcotics will likely experience symptoms that resemble the symptoms of a severe flu, ranging from gastrointestinal issues to headache, runny nose, body aches, chills, and fever. And finally, those that have been abusing depressants are at the highest risk of serious complications resulting from withdrawal. They can face side effects like seizures and coma if not medically monitored around the clock.

We do everything we can to alleviate our clients withdrawal symptoms while providing amenities that will makes them feel as comfortable as possible. We understand that detoxification is only the very first step on the road to recovery. Detox is a crucial first step and will set the tone for the remainder of the personal recovery journey. Give us a call today at (888) 693-1604, we are available to help 24/7.