Why Trust Recovery Guide Millions of people in the United States each year report misusing medications that are prescribed for medical and mental health conditions.
Like illicit drugs, many medications that are legally prescribed by a doctor, or are taken without a prescription, may cause physical dependence and withdrawal with stopped use.
People who use prescription medications obtained outside of a licensed pharmacy should be aware that counterfeit pills, including fake opioids, benzodiazepines, and stimulants, frequently contain illicitly manufactured fentanyl. This dramatically increases overdose risk. Any pill not dispensed by a licensed pharmacist should be treated as potentially dangerous.
Detoxification, or detox, is the body’s way of getting rid of chemical substances like prescription drugs or alcohol. For safety purposes, this should only be done under medical guidance.
Learn more about detox programs near you
Who Needs Prescription Drug Detox?
Prescription drug detox is a type of treatment program that is recommended for people who have been taking a habit-forming drug for an extended amount of time.
Prescription drug detox may be suitable for people who:
- have taken a prescription drug for a long time
- misuse prescription medications
- have a history of drug abuse
- are addicted to a prescription drug
Detox programs for prescription drug dependence and addiction can offer several benefits for people. Namely, medical supervision during the detox process and treatment for withdrawal.
It is worth distinguishing between physical dependence and a substance use disorder.
Physical dependence means the body has adapted to a drug and will produce withdrawal symptoms when stopped. This can occur even in people taking medication exactly as prescribed. A substance use disorder involves compulsive use despite negative consequences.
Both may benefit from supervised detox, but treatment needs differ. A healthcare provider can help determine which applies to your situation.
Side Effects And Symptoms Of Prescription Drug Detox
Drug withdrawal can look and feel different for each person, depending in part on the type of drug you’re detoxing from. However, many prescription drugs share common symptoms.
For instance, withdrawal symptoms commonly reported include:
- headache
- nausea
- fatigue
- tiredness
- anxiety
- muscle twitching
- sweating
- involuntary shaking
- mood swings
- insomnia
Taking multiple drugs, or having co-occurring health issues, may affect the symptoms experienced during withdrawal, as well as how long they last.
Is Prescription Drug Withdrawal Dangerous?
Some prescription drugs, such as benzodiazepines and other sedatives, can cause severe withdrawal symptoms if they are stopped suddenly.
Potential risks of this include:
- seizures
- thoughts of suicide
- psychosis
- convulsions
- panic attacks
- palpitations
Anyone experiencing suicidal thoughts during prescription drug withdrawal should seek emergency care immediately or call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, available 24 hours a day.
Furthermore, some people can be at higher risk for experiencing severe withdrawal symptoms compared to others.
Risk factors for severe withdrawal include:
- older age
- a long history of drug use
- having a substance use disorder
- having a co-occurring mental illness
- poor overall health
- detoxing without medical support
Prescription Drug Detox By Drug Type
There are a variety of prescription drugs that can cause physical dependence and withdrawal with stopped use. Here are examples of some prescription drugs that may require detox:
Flexeril Detox
Flexeril, a brand name for cyclobenzaprine, is a muscle relaxant that can cause mild symptoms of withdrawal, such as headache, nausea, and general discomfort with sudden, stopped use.
Read more about detoxing from Flexeril
Trazodone Detox
Trazodone is a sedative and antidepressant medication. Taking it for some time and stopping it suddenly may result in side effects such as anxiety, agitation, and insomnia.
Read more about detoxing from trazodone
Gabapentin (Neurontin) Detox
Gabapentin, also known as Horizant and Neurontin, is a seizure control medication that can cause withdrawal if it is taken regularly for some time and stopped suddenly.
Withdrawal symptoms of gabapentin may include:
- anxiety
- pain
- nausea
- sweating
- difficulty falling or staying asleep
At higher doses or with long-term use, gabapentin withdrawal can be more serious, including the risk of seizures. Medical supervision is strongly recommended for anyone stopping high-dose gabapentin, particularly if it has been used daily for an extended period.
Modafinil (Provigil) Detox
Modafinil is a prescription stimulant. Also known as Provigil, it is prescribed for narcolepsy and other sleep disorders.
Withdrawal is not a common occurrence with Provigil use. Mild symptoms, such as drowsiness, low mood, or fatigue may occur.
Read more about how to detox from Provigil
Prescription Drug Detox FAQs
Find answers to frequently asked questions about prescription drug detox and withdrawal.
Which Prescription Drugs Can Cause Withdrawal?
Many prescription medications that are legally prescribed for medical and mental health conditions can cause dependence and withdrawal.
Some of the most commonly prescribed include:
- benzodiazepines (e.g. Ativan)
- barbiturates
- sleeping pills
- prescription stimulants
- opioid pain relievers
How Long Does Prescription Drug Withdrawal Last?
Withdrawal timelines vary significantly by drug type.
Opioid withdrawal typically lasts four to ten days, while benzodiazepine withdrawal can last weeks to months.
Stimulant withdrawal may peak within a few days but leave lingering psychological symptoms for weeks.
Your prescribing doctor or a detox program can provide a more accurate timeline based on your specific situation.
What Does Prescription Drug Withdrawal Feel Like?
Drug withdrawal can make a person feel physically sick. Many common prescription medications, with stopped use, can cause nausea, vomiting, and other flu-like symptoms.
Withdrawal can also affect a person’s emotional and mental state. You may feel restless, anxious, depressed, or more irritable than usual.
Prescription Drug Detox Programs
Trying to detox from a prescription drug alone can be highly uncomfortable at best, and dangerous at worst—particularly if you’ve been taking this drug for a very long time.
Seeking out a drug detox program can help prevent severe withdrawal and may offer a referral for further treatment if you’re demonstrating signs of a substance use disorder.
Types of prescription drug detox programs include:
- outpatient detox programs
- medical detox programs
- social detox programs
If you don’t have a history of substance use issues, seeking help through your prescribing doctor may be enough to help you slowly wean off a drug.
If you have a history of substance abuse or addiction issues, however, a doctor will likely recommend that you seek support through a drug detox program.
Anyone detoxing from opioid medications should have naloxone on hand. Tolerance drops significantly during detox, meaning a previously tolerated dose can cause a fatal overdose if relapse occurs. Naloxone is available over the counter at most pharmacies without a prescription and can reverse an opioid overdose if administered quickly.
Find Prescription Drug Detox Today
Thousands of people seek help for prescription drug misuse each year. If this describes you or a loved one, you’re not alone.
Call our helpline today to learn more about prescription drug detox and how to find drug detox options near you.
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- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) — Key Substance Use and Mental Health Indicators in the U.S. Results from the 2019 NSDUH
https://www.samhsa.gov/data/sites/default/files/reports/rpt29393/2019NSDUHFFRPDFWHTML/2019NSDUHFFR1PDFW090120.pdf - U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) — PROVIGIL (modafinil) tablets
https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2007/020717s020s013s018lbl.pdf - U.S. National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) — Commonly Used Drug Charts
https://nida.nih.gov/research-topics/drugs-a-to-z - U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus — Cyclobenzaprine
https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a682514.html - U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus — Gabapentin
https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a694007.html - U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus — Trazodone
https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a681038.html