There are a number of medications prescribed for legitimate medical conditions such as pain, anxiety, or ADHD; unfortunately, many of these are commonly misused. When a medicine is not used as directed, it is possible to become dependent on it, leading to withdrawal if the drug is not available. Many people ask, “What is prescription drug addiction withdrawal like?” and “How long does withdrawal last?” Knowing the warning signs helps you or a loved one recognize prescription drug addiction withdrawal symptoms and can guide you to seeking treatment sooner rather than later. Understanding withdrawal allows you to be prepared as you seek help. If you experience prescription drug addiction withdrawal when you do not have access to a particular medication, consider prescription drug addiction treatment in NC.
Insight Recovery Center in Asheville provides comprehensive outpatient addiction treatment in a caring, safe setting. Reach out today to learn more about our programs and services. We’re committed to helping you or a loved one break the cycle of prescription drug addiction.
Commonly misused prescription drugs
There are three categories of drugs that you are most likely to slip from prescribed use to off-label use, tolerance, and addiction. They are:
- Opioids: Narcotic pain relievers under the opioid umbrella include OxyContin, Vicodin, Percocet, and Dilaudid.
- Stimulants: Drugs to treat ADHD or narcolepsy are stimulants like Ritalin, Adderall, and Concerta.
- Sedatives: Depressant medications are tranquilizers, usually from the benzodiazepine family, and include Xanax, Valium, and Librium.
These three classes of drugs are used regularly and successfully for medical purposes. Physicians are required to explain to their patients the addictive qualities of these drugs and go over the risks and how to avoid misusing them. According to the National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics, nearly 20% of Americans have knowingly misused a prescription drug at least once, and almost 6% of Americans over age 12 abuse prescription drugs regularly.
Help is available for anyone struggling with prescription drug misuse or addiction.
What are the withdrawal symptoms of addiction to prescription medications?
Dependence on prescription opioids, stimulants, and sedatives relates to the way the drugs interact in the brain’s pleasure centers and bind with receptors that affect the production of neurotransmitters. As a result, they all share some of the same symptoms of withdrawal.
Below is a list of common signs of withdrawal from each type of abused prescription drug category:
Prescription opioid addiction withdrawal
- Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
- Muscle cramps
- Nasal and eye discharge
- Anxiety
- Insomnia
- Hot and cold flushes
- Profuse sweating
Prescription stimulant addiction withdrawal
- Fatigue
- Depression
- Sleep disturbance
- Agitation
- Irritability
- Poor concentration
Prescription sedative addiction withdrawal
- Panic attacks
- Anxiety
- Tremors
- Muscle pain
- Headache
- Heavy sweating
- Nausea, vomiting, or dry retching
- Sleep disturbance
- Heart palpitations
If any of these prescription drug addiction withdrawal symptoms sounds familiar, support from a professional addiction treatment center is likely the ideal next step.
How long does withdrawal last?
The duration of withdrawal from a prescription medication on which you’ve become dependent is not the same for everyone. The following factors will influence the timeline:
- Which drug
- How long you used it
- How long you were dependent on it
- Your overall health
Withdrawal from prescription drugs can last a week or several months. See below for general guidelines for the three categories of the most commonly misused prescription medications:
- Opioid painkillers: Withdrawal begins between eight and 24 hours after the last use and can continue for four to 10 days on average, though it may last several weeks.
- Stimulants: Withdrawal from a prescription stimulant like Adderall can begin in as few as six hours or up to 36. Generally, the timeline is about a week for working through withdrawal symptoms.
- Sedative benzos: Benzo withdrawal can be tricky. It may start as soon as one day after the last use or not for a day or two longer. Once it begins, withdrawal peaks in the first 10 days, though in some cases, withdrawal symptoms can last for months or even years without treatment.
Understanding the withdrawal timeline and symptoms in advance of entering detox can help reduce anxiety and assure you that, though not a pleasant process, withdrawal will end, and you can begin your recovery. Medically supervised detox combined with evidence-based therapies reduces the timing and discomfort of withdrawal and increases your long-term successful outcomes.
Insight Recovery Center: start prescription drug addiction treatment in NC today
At Insight Recovery Center in Asheville, NC, we provide medication-assisted treatment to manage withdrawal symptoms and evidence-based therapies in a safe, supportive environment. Our compassionate, non-judgmental staff are available 24/7, and you’ll be surrounded by peers who understand your journey and offer encouragement along the way.
From behavioral therapy to experiential therapy, your treatment may encompass trauma-related treatment, life skills training, and strategies for sober living post-discharge, group, and family therapy sessions, as well as individual therapy or dual diagnosis treatment for any co-occurring issues mental health issues.
Call us today at 828.826.1376 or connect with us through the online form to learn how we can help you reach specific goals that fit your lifestyle and needs.