Prescription Drug Detox

Prescription drug detox and addiction is a growing problem in the U.S. There are many reasons for this rise in prescription drug abuse, including irresponsible doctors, online pharmacies and increased overall prescription of drugs by doctors. The most commonly abused prescription drugs fall under three categories.

Commonly Abused Prescription Drugs
• Opioids - Usually given to treat chronic or short term pain relief
• CNS Depressants - treat sleep disorders and anxiety
• Stimulants - used for treating ADHD, ADD and narcolepsy

Opioids

Prescription opioid drugs include Vicodin, Oxycontin, Loritab, Darvon, Codeine, and Morphine. Usually these drugs are safe and effective in treating all types of pain related medical problems. They allow surgery and offer pain relief for post-surgical procedures or chronic pain issues. Codeine can be used to relive severe coughs, diphenoxylate is used for relieving severe diarrhea. Despite their usefulness overuse can lead to physical addiction.

Opioids should be administered under the advice and care of a physician. In addition, careful monitoring is required when stopping the opiate medication to ensure that no physical addiction has occurred. Despite these expectations, many doctors simply do not follow the prescribed methods. Open ended high strength prescriptions are given, doctors do not research past substance abuse issues or "doctor shopping" and a patient becomes addicted. Sometimes this isn't even the fault of the patient, many people we see at Poinciana have been simply given a prescription for too long or at too high of a dose, and have realized when they tried to stop that they were too physically uncomfortable to quit.

Poinciana offers an exclusive opiate detox program. See our opiate detox page for more information. Click here to find out how we can use drugs such as buprenorphine to treat opiate addiction and ease you into a drug free lifestyle.

(CNS) Central Nervous System Depressants

There are two groups of CNS drugs, they are barbiturates, such as mephobarbital (Mebaral) and pentobarbitalsodium (Nembutal), which are used to treat anxiety, tension, and sleep disorders and tranquilizers such as valium, xanax and librium. They are prescribed to treat anxiety and panic attacks, stress disorders and sleeplessness. Though these drugs can be very beneficial when taken properly, the sedative effects can lead to addiction.

It is less well known that stopping these types of drugs abruptly can be very dangerous. Prolonged use of CNS drugs can lead to withdrawal when stopped suddenly, especially under circumstances of abuse. Due to their slowing effect on the nervous system quitting cold turkey can lead to a sudden rebound of the brains functioning which can cause seizure. If you have been taking these types of medicines you should consult a physician about quitting and utilize a hospital based detox facility such as ours.

Prescription Stimulants

Ritalin and dexedrine are the most common forms of prescribed stimulants today. In the past stimulants were used much more in the medical field, however the potential for abuse and addiction has been realized and now most medical stimulant use has waned.

Stimulants can be very dangerous especially when used in high doses. Stimulant abuse can cause irregular heartbeat, dangerously high temperature, even seizures and cardiovascular failure.

Depending on your situation, treatment for stimulant abuse can begin with a reduction in dosage that weans you off of the drug. Any detox program should then be followed up with behavioral modification, support groups and/or inpatient treatment.

*Source: National Institute On Drug abuse

So How Can We Help?

Poinciana at Palm Beach has experience in all types of prescription drug detox. Our facility and its doctors and staff will give you individual treatment based on your needs. You will be impressed by our upscale exclusive facility and concierge services. Our executive hospital based program offers the most effective and advanced treatment methods available. Find out what sets us apart, look at our Why Choose us page.

Call or e-mail us today
(561) 818-2922
admissions@poincianaatpalmbeach.com