Substance Abuse detox protocol differs by the type of substance the person was using. Some drugs have few physical detox symptoms and the individual mainly has to deal with psychological symptoms and intense cravings. Other substances cause severe physical side effects during detox which can put the individual’s life in danger.

Drugs like meth and cocaine, which are stimulants, cause basic withdrawal symptoms like fatigue, depression, and intense cravings. These and other drugs like them can safely be cleansed from the body by using supportive care methods. The individual going through this type of detox will benefit from physical care, medical monitoring, and especially emotional and psychological support.

Other substances, like alcohol and benzodiazepines, are much more dangerous when it comes to detox. Benzodiazepines are medications like sleep aids, sedatives, and tranquilizers, and these, like alcohol, can be dangerous to stop once the body is dependent on them. Symptoms of this type of withdrawal include insomnia, fatigue, irritability, body aches, nausea, anxiety, vomiting, and headaches. They can also cause more dangerous side effects, such as hallucinations, seizures, and delirium tremens (DTs), which is a rapid onset of confusion accompanied by shaking, irregular heart rate, hallucinations, seizures, and very high body temperature that can be life-threatening.

Alcohol and benzodiazepine withdrawal should be done in a medical facility where the person is monitored closely and can be treated with medication and support as needed. This type of detox should not be attempted at home. At The Ridge, we refer those who require a higher level of medical care for withdrawal to our partner medical facilities. In order to determine the level of care needed, our admissions professionals conduct a full assessment of all incoming clients.

Opiate drugs like prescription painkillers and heroin cause flu-like symptoms and fatigue when the person is detoxing from them. Shakes, chills, nausea, vomiting, muscle aches, irritability, and insomnia are all signs of opiate withdrawal. The person might feel “foggy” and unable to think clearly. These symptoms usually last a few days to a week, and then gradually get better. The good news is there are medications to help reduce and even eliminate the symptoms of opiate withdrawal.

Medical detox is done by licensed medical professionals who monitor vital signs to keep the individual safe, healthy, and as comfortable as possible as they go through this initial part of recovery. Medically assisted detox utilizes medications to help reduce withdrawal symptoms and allow the individual to focus on rehab and sobriety. These medications are especially effective in controlling opiate withdrawal symptoms.

Suboxone is used in medical detoxification from opiates, and it contains two medications that work together to eliminate cravings and keep the body from experiencing detox symptoms. The first medication in Suboxone is buprenorphine, a partial opioid agonist which takes the place of the opiate to trick the brain into thinking it is still using its substance. This suppresses withdrawal symptoms and cravings, and makes the person feel energized, but not euphoric as with their drug. Buprenorphine is a long-acting drug, which means if the person would try to take their drug during this time, it would have no effect on the body because the buprenorphine is already occupying opioid receptors in the brain. Another benefit of buprenorphine is the ceiling effect, which means taking more of this medication will not result in a high, thus deterring overuse.

The second medication in Suboxone is naloxone, which is an opioid antagonist. This medication helps deter the person from abusing suboxone because if taken in large amounts, naloxone will reverse the effects of all opiates in the body and cause rapid and severe withdrawal symptoms.