Withdrawal

What to Expect

Our Goals for Detoxification:

  • To provide a safe withdrawal from drugs you have used and to help you become drug free
  • To provide a withdrawal that is humane and protects your dignity
  • To prepare you for ongoing treatment and recovery

What You Can Do:

  • Focus on why you decided to seek treatment
  • Limit outside influences
  • Recognize your symptoms and how we can help you through your withdrawal

What Can You Expect with Alcohol and Drug Withdrawal:

ALCOHOL

  • Withdrawal symptoms can occur 6 to 24 hours after last use and last up to 10 days.
  • Withdrawal symptoms
    • Mild to moderate (6 hours up to 2 days) symptoms include anxiety, feeling irritated or easily excited, feeling tired, headache, sweating, nausea and vomiting, nightmares, insomnia, loss of appetite and tremors.
    • Severe (2 to 10 days) symptoms include hallucinations, delirium tremens (DT’s) and fever.
  • We will check your symptoms periodically. You will receive medication to help with your symptoms.
  • You will also have the option to start on medications to prevent return to use; such as, naltrexone (oral or intramuscular injection), acamprosate, or disulfram.

OPIOIDS

  • Pain pills; such as, hydrocodone, heroin, morphine or brand names; such as, Vicodin, Oxycontin, Norco, and Percocet. Symptoms can start 6 hours to 3 days after the last time you used. Withdrawal is usually done within 5 days.
  • Methadone: Symptoms can last up to 10 days.
  • Withdrawal symptoms:
    • Early/Mild/Moderate symptoms include anxiety, restlessness, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, tremor, fever, sweating, insomnia, and loss of appetite.
    • Severe symptoms include feeling agitated, delirium, and seizures.
  • We will check your symptoms periodically. You may receive medication to help with your symptoms. You may be started on buprenorphine, buprenorphine/naloxone, or brand name Suboxone, Subutex, or Zubsolv to prevent return to use of opioids of abuse and to alleviate cravings and withdrawal symptoms.

STIMULANTS

  • Cocaine, Ephedra, Amphetamines, Methamphetamine
  • Symptoms include depression, anxiety, difficulty concentrating, lack of energy, feeling extra sleepy, and increased drug craving. Hallucinations may persist with history of methamphetamine use.
  • Withdrawal symptoms are usually mild and usually only last 1-2 weeks.
  • Supportive care is best. Rest, healthy diet, exercise. You will also receive medication to help ease symptoms that are overwhelming for anxiety or difficulty sleeping.

CLUB DRUGS and SYNTHETIC CANNABINOIDS

  • GHB, MDMA (ecstasy), synthetics (K2, Spice, bath salts), Ketamine (Special K, K, Vitamin K)
  • Withdrawal symptoms include depression, anxiety, difficulty concentrating, lack of energy, feeling extra sleepy, and increased drug cravings. Hallucinations or flash backs may persist with abuse of certain drugs.
  • Daily use of synthetic cannabinoids can lead to severe withdrawal symptoms, including seizures, rapid heartbeat, chest pain and palpitations, anxiety, insomnia, sweating and loss of appetite.
  • Supportive care is best. Rest, healthy diet, exercise. You will also receive medication to help ease symptoms that are overwhelming for anxiety or difficulty sleeping.

MARIJUANA

  • THC symptoms occur 1 to 2 weeks after daily use and can include feeling irritated, anxiety, depression, nervousness, disturbed or vivid dreams, loss of appetite and weight loss, headache, chills, stomach pain, vomiting, sweating, tremors
  • You may receive medications to help with moderate to severe symptoms.

SEDATIVE-HYPNOTICS

  • Benzos (benzodiazepines- lorazepam, clonazepam, alprazolam, diazepam), Barbiturates (phenobarbital, primidone), Z-drugs (zolpidem, temazepam, eszopiclone, triazolam- also known by brand names Ambien, Sonato, Lunesta, and Restoril)
  • Symptoms include anxiety, insomnia, feeling restless and irritable, feeling tired, muscle aches, nausea, sensitivity to noise, sweating. Severe symptoms can include seizures, confusion, and hallucinations.
  • For mild symptoms, you may be managed appropriately at our facility. For moderate or severe symptoms, you may require hospitalization.