Treatments

Opiates are a group of drugs derived from the opium plant. They include codeine, morphine, Vicodin, oxycontin, oxycodone and heroin. Opiates are used as painkillers and are extremely addictive depending on how long the person has been taking the drug and how much he or she uses.

Opiate withdrawal without proper detoxification is extremely difficult and dangerous. Common symptoms of opiate withdrawal include:

• Anxiety and agitation
• Muscle aches and pains
• Insomnia
• Abdominal cramps and diarrhea
• Nausea and vomiting
• Seizures

Benzodiazepine: Benzodiazepines or “Benzos” are a group of drugs classified as sedatives. Normally Benzos are prescribed under the names Xanax, Ativan, Valium, or Klonopin to treat anxiety, muscle spasm and seizures. Benzos may also be used to treat alcohol withdrawal. These drugs act on the central nervous system, producing a very relaxed sensation and lowering of anxiety.

Detoxing from benzodiazepines should only be done with proper clinical supervision. Benzodiazepine withdrawal comprises extreme and often dangerous symptoms, including:

• Anxiety and irritability
• Body tremors, particularly of the hands
• Low energy levels
• Disturbed sleep patterns
• Cognitive difficulty and confusion
• Nausea
• Seizures

Suboxone is often used to treat heroin, methadone and opiate dependencies. Many people are surprised to learn that it is possible to become addicted to this drug. However, buprenorphine, one of the chief components in Suboxone, is thought to be as much as 30 times more potent than morphine. This creates a critical dependency on the drug that requires supervised detox to remove.

Detoxing from Suboxone dependency generally spans 14 days of supervised withdrawal. Post-acute symptoms can include:

• Nausea and vomiting
• Sweating
• Headache
• Anxiety
• Insomnia
• Flu-like symptoms
• Mood swings
• Respiratory distress or depression

Cocaine addiction is one of the most powerfully addictive drugs. Cocaine offers a powerful and intense “high,” causing serious depression and exhaustion when the effects of the drug wear off.

Cocaine withdrawal includes both psychological and physical symptoms, including:

• Insomnia
• Irritability and anxiety
• Fatigue and depression
• Chills and body aches
• Tremors
• Muscular pain

Methamphetamine, or “crystal meth,” is an extremely addictive drug that stimulates the central nervous system. In recent years, meth use has skyrocketed throughout the United States. Meth addicts risk strokes, brain damage and other serious physical complications, making detoxification a crucial component in the recovery process.

Chronic use of methamphetamines may result in serious symptoms during withdrawal, such as:

• Paranoia and anxiety
• Violent mood swings and aggression
• Insomnia
• Hallucinations
• Heart arrhythmia

Methadone is used as a maintenance treatment for those with opiate addictions. Because methadone is synthetically manufactured as a substitute for opiates, the potential to become addicted is invariably high. Those who suffer from methadone addiction often have heart conditions and lung infections that require careful monitoring.

Detoxing from methadone can be difficult. Clients may experience physical symptoms with onset approximately one day after the drug is stopped, including:

• Lightheadedness
• Tearing of the eyes
• Sweating
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Body aches and uncontrollable shaking
• Strong cravings
• Nausea and vomiting
• Diarrhea

Heroin is a highly addictive drug that is a derivative of morphine. It has been illegal for almost 100 years in the United States due to its extremely addictive nature. Overdoses of heroin are common and cause many deaths. Thus a safe detox is essential for anyone suffering from an addiction to this dangerous drug.

Heroin withdrawal symptoms can begin as soon as six hours after the last dose and may last up to seven days. Symptoms include:

• Aches and pains
• Diarrhea and upset stomach
• Nausea and vomiting
• Fever
• Restlessness and insomnia
• Seizures