Prescription Drug Detox: Effective Addiction Treatment
Breaking free from prescription drug dependence takes courage, and you don't have to face withdrawal alone. If you or someone you love feels trapped by medications that once helped but now control your life, know that safe, compassionate help is available. At Sheridan Grove Recovery in Aurora, Colorado, we understand the unique challenges of prescription drug dependence and provide medically supervised detox that prioritizes your safety, comfort, and dignity.
What is prescription drug detox?
Prescription drug detox is a medically supervised process to safely eliminate addictive medications from your body while managing withdrawal symptoms and preparing you for continued treatment. Unlike detox from other drugs, prescription drug withdrawal requires specialized protocols because these medications were initially prescribed for legitimate medical conditions.
The primary goals of prescription drug detox include:
- Safety first: Preventing dangerous complications like seizures, cardiac events, or severe dehydration
- Comfort management: Minimizing withdrawal symptoms through evidence-based medications and supportive care
- Stabilization: Achieving physical and emotional stability before transitioning to ongoing treatment
- Preparation: Setting the foundation for residential treatment, outpatient therapy, or other recovery programs
Our prescription drug detox program includes 24/7 medical monitoring and individualized treatment plans. Licensed providers assess your specific medication history, current health, and withdrawal risks to create a personalized detox protocol. Round-the-clock nursing staff monitor vital signs, administer comfort medications (when appropriate), and provide emotional support throughout your stay.
Who needs prescription medication detox?
Prescription drug dependence can develop even when medications are initially taken as prescribed. Many people find themselves needing or craving higher doses over time, taking medications more frequently than directed, or continuing use long after their original condition has improved.
You may benefit from prescription drug detox if you've been:
- Taking medications in larger amounts or more frequently than prescribed
- Unable to stop using the medication despite wanting to quit
- Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when doses are missed or delayed
- Doctor shopping or seeking multiple prescriptions
- Using medications for non-medical reasons (to sleep, feel "normal," or cope with stress)
- Continuing medication use after the original medical condition has resolved
Physical warning signs
Every type of medication is different and will cause different physical symptoms when you're dependent on it. Physical symptoms are indicators that you may be taking doses that are too high or experiencing withdrawals between doses.
- Opioids: Pinpoint pupils, constipation, slowed breathing, excessive sweating
- Benzodiazepines: Memory problems, confusion, tremors, slurred speech
- Stimulants: Rapid heartbeat, weight loss, insomnia, agitation
- Sleep aids: Daytime drowsiness, coordination problems, memory gaps
Risks of prescription drug abuse
The risks of continued prescription drug misuse are serious and even life-threatening. Opioid medications can cause respiratory depression (slowed breathing), while benzodiazepines may lead to dangerous seizures during withdrawal. Stimulant abuse can result in heart problems—including heart attack—and combining prescription drugs with alcohol makes it much easier to overdose.
Professional prescription drug detox is your safest option when you experience:
- Multiple failed attempts to quit on your own
- Withdrawal symptoms that interfere with daily functioning
- Co-occurring mental health conditions like depression or anxiety
- Chronic medical conditions that complicate withdrawal
- History of seizures or other serious medical complications
24/7 detox admissions in Aurora, CO.
Types of prescription drug detox by substance
Opioid detox (oxycodone, hydrocodone, fentanyl)
Detoxing from prescription opioids can be tough due to intense withdrawal symptoms and a high risk of relapse. Opioids create physical dependence by binding to brain receptors, making it hard to quit without medical help.
That’s why we use medication-assisted treatment (MAT) with FDA-approved options like Subutex, Suboxone, or methadone. These medications ease cravings and withdrawal symptoms while stabilizing brain chemistry, helping you focus on recovery without the constant struggle.
Benzodiazepine detox (Xanax, Klonopin, Ativan)
Detoxing from benzodiazepines can be tricky since stopping too quickly can lead to serious risks like seizures. These medications impact GABA receptors in the brain, so sudden withdrawal can cause dangerous side effects.
That’s why our detox process focuses on gradual tapering instead of stopping all at once. We slowly reduce doses every week or two, giving your brain time to adjust. For short-acting meds like Xanax, we might switch to a longer-acting option like Valium to make the process smoother and safer.
Stimulant detox (Adderall, Concerta)
Detoxing from stimulant prescription drugs focuses on managing the "crash" and staying emotionally stable. While withdrawal isn’t usually life-threatening like with opioids, the psychological effects can be tough. Since there aren’t FDA-approved meds for stimulant withdrawal, we focus on supportive care—helping with sleep, nutrition, and monitoring for depression or suicidal thoughts. In some cases, antidepressants or psychiatric support can also help during detox.
Other prescription medications (sleep aids, muscle relaxants, gabapentinoids)
Sleep aids like Ambien and Lunesta can lead to rebound insomnia and anxiety when stopped suddenly. Muscle relaxants like Soma can cause withdrawal symptoms similar to benzodiazepines, including risks like seizures. Gabapentin and Lyrica, while helpful for some, can be addictive and cause withdrawal symptoms like anxiety, seizures, and discomfort if stopped too quickly. We help ease the process with gradual tapering, medical monitoring, and cognitive-behavioral techniques.
Withdrawal symptoms & timelines
Opioid withdrawal: Onset, peak, duration, and comfort measures
Opioid withdrawal follows a timeline that helps our medical team prepare the right treatment. Early symptoms typically begin within 6–12 hours of your last dose and include anxiety, restlessness, runny nose, and muscle aches.
Peak symptoms occur within 48–72 hours and may include severe muscle cramps, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and intense cravings. While extremely uncomfortable, opioid withdrawal is rarely life-threatening when properly managed.
Our comfort measures include:
- Medications for opioid use disorder (MOUDs) to reduce withdrawal intensity
- Medical monitoring of anxiety and blood pressure
- Anti-nausea medications and IV fluids for hydration
- Sleep aids (if appropriate) to restore normal rest patterns
- Nutritional support
Benzodiazepine withdrawal: Tapering, protracted symptoms, and safety
Benzodiazepine withdrawal requires caution due to seizure risks. We never attempt rapid or "cold turkey" discontinuation from these medications.
Acute withdrawal symptoms typically include rebound anxiety, insomnia, tremors, and sensory sensitivity. These symptoms can last 10–14 days for short-acting benzodiazepines or several weeks for longer-acting medications.
Post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS) may continue for months, involving subtle but persistent symptoms like cognitive fog, tinnitus, and emotional instability. Our team provides ongoing support and may recommend extended outpatient monitoring.
Stimulant withdrawal: Crash, mood changes, and sleep disturbances
The crash is the most challenging phase of detox from stimulant medications. Within hours of your last dose, you may experience severe fatigue, depression, and hypersomnia (sleepiness).
Days 3–7 often bring the most intense psychological symptoms, including severe depression, anxiety, and, sometimes, suicidal thoughts. Many people describe feeling completely unable to experience pleasure or motivation during this period.
Our stimulant withdrawal management approach emphasizes:
- Close monitoring for depression and suicidal ideation
- Sleep schedule normalization
- Nutritional support
- Gentle movement to reduce agitation
- Individual counseling
We're here to help—whenever you need it.
Medical detox vs. self-detox: Safety, efficacy, and evidence-based care
Risks of quitting cold turkey at home
Attempting prescription drug detox without medical supervision carries risks that many people underestimate. Prescription medications affect major body systems, and quickly quitting can cause dangerous complications.
Benzodiazepine withdrawal can cause life-threatening seizures, while opioid withdrawal may lead to severe dehydration and cardiac stress. Even "safer" medications like sleep aids can cause rebound effects that interfere with driving, work performance, and decision-making abilities.
24/7 clinical monitoring, vital signs, and emergency readiness
Medical prescription drug detox provides the safety that home detox cannot offer. Sheridan Grove Recovery maintains continuous monitoring equipment, emergency medications, and rapid response capabilities that can be life-saving if complications arise.
Our nurses are available around the clock and check vital signs every few hours, adjusting medications and interventions based on your needs. Physicians review your progress daily and can modify treatment plans immediately if severe symptoms develop.
Evidence-based detox protocols & withdrawal management
Medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder
Our prescription drug detox protocols for opioids center on evidence-based MAT approaches proven to reduce withdrawal symptoms, prevent relapse, and save lives. Suboxone and Subutex, two of our most commonly used MAT medications, contain buprenorphine, a partial opioid agonist that reduces cravings. Suboxone also contains naloxone, which is an opioid antagonist that blocks the opioid "high."
We also offer methadone treatment. While many of our clients respond well to Suboxone or Subutex, methadone works better for others.
Benzodiazepine tapering protocols and cross-taper strategies
Safe benzo detox requires individualized tapering schedules based on your specific medication, dosage, and length of use. We follow established medical guidelines that recommend reducing doses gradually over a few weeks.
Cross-tapering involves switching from short-acting medications to longer-acting benzos, providing more stability during withdrawal. For example, we might transition someone from Xanax to Valium before beginning the tapering process.
Symptom-targeted medications
Our prescription drug detox protocols include comfort medications specifically chosen to address your withdrawal symptoms. Medications may be prescription or over-the-counter to manage:
- Anxiety or depression
- Blood pressure
- Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
- Sleep disturbances
Trauma-informed, patient-centered care plans
Many people struggling with prescription drug dependence have histories of trauma, chronic pain, or mental health conditions that influenced their medication use. Our approach to prescription drug detox incorporates trauma-informed principles that prioritize your safety, choice, and collaboration in treatment decisions.
Every care plan reflects your individual needs, preferences, and goals. We avoid one-size-fits-all approaches. Instead, we create a unique plan based on your medical history, withdrawal risks, and goals for recovery.
Inpatient detox vs. outpatient detox: Matching level of care to clinical need
Who benefits from inpatient medical detox?
Inpatient prescription drug detox provides the highest level of medical supervision and is recommended for people with:
- High-dose or long-term benzodiazepine use
- Multiple prescription drug dependencies
- History of seizures or serious medical complications
- Mental health conditions and/or suicidal thoughts
- Lack of stable housing or family support
- Previous failed outpatient detox attempts
Inpatient detox at Sheridan Grove Recovery offers 24/7 medical monitoring, immediate support for emergencies, and a controlled environment free from prescription drug access.
Criteria for safe outpatient detox and monitoring
Outpatient prescription drug detox may be appropriate for people with:
- Mild to moderate dependence levels
- Strong family or social support systems
- Stable housing and transportation
- Good physical health without major complications
- Motivation and commitment to follow tapering protocols
Outpatient detox requires frequent medical check-ins, usually three to five times per week, as you progress through withdrawal. We do not offer outpatient detox at our Aurora, CO, center, but can connect you to the right care if we're not the right fit.
Transition planning from detox to rehab
Successful prescription drug detox always includes comprehensive discharge planning. Before you leave Sheridan Grove Recovery, our team arranges appropriate follow-up care, which may include:
- Residential addiction treatment programs
- Intensive outpatient programs (IOP)
- Individual therapy and psychiatric care
- Medication management appointments
- Support group connections
The prescription drug detox process
Confidential assessment and medical history
Your detox journey begins with a comprehensive assessment conducted by our medical team. We'll review your prescription drug history, current medications, medical conditions, mental health status, and previous treatment experiences.
Lab tests may include blood work, urine drug screening, and cardiac monitoring to get a better idea of your health and give us a better idea of any potential complications.
Personalized care plan and tapering schedule
Based on your assessment results, our physicians develop an individualized plan that outlines:
- Tapering schedules for each medication
- Comfort medications and supportive treatments
- Monitoring frequency and protocols
- Mental health support services
- Estimated timeline for detox completion
Stabilization, hydration, nutrition, and rest
The early phase of detox is focused on helping you get stable and beginning the withdrawal process safely. This includes:
- IV fluids if needed for dehydration
- Nutritional assessment and meal planning
- Sleep schedule regulation
- Gentle physical activity as tolerated
- Stress reduction techniques
Daily physician oversight and nursing support
Throughout your time at Sheridan Grove Recovery, licensed physicians assess your progress and adjust your treatment plan as needed. Registered nurses provide 24/7 care, monitoring vital signs and administering medications according to your individualized plan.
Our staff receives specialized training in addiction medicine and withdrawal management, ensuring they can recognize and respond to complications quickly.
Discharge planning and next steps
Before completing our program, our team works with you to create a comprehensive aftercare plan. This includes scheduling any follow-up appointments, arranging transportation, providing emergency contact information, and connecting you with ongoing treatment resources—which may include residential treatment at our center.
We also provide written instructions for any continuing medications and clear guidance about warning signs that require immediate medical attention.
Dual diagnosis treatment: Integrated mental health support
Screening for mental health conditions
Many people entering detox, especially for prescription drugs, have co-occurring mental health conditions that contributed to their use. Our screening process identifies conditions like:
- Generalized anxiety disorder
- Major depressive disorder
- Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder
- Bipolar disorder
Understanding these underlying conditions allows us to provide more effective treatment and reduce the risk of relapse. We can provide dual diagnosis treatment if you transition to residential care. There, we'll help you overcome prescription drug addiction and manage your mental health more effectively.
Psychiatric evaluation and medication management
Our psychiatric team conducts thorough evaluations to determine whether mental health medications might support your recovery. We carefully avoid potentially addictive medications while addressing genuine psychiatric needs.
Some people benefit from antidepressants, non-addictive anxiety medications, or mood stabilizers during and after detox. All psychiatric medications are prescribed and monitored by licensed psychiatrists experienced in addiction medicine.
Get help now: Start prescription drug detox today
Breaking free from prescription drug dependence takes courage, but you don't have to face this challenge alone. At Sheridan Grove Recovery, we provide the medical expertise, compassionate care, and individualized support you need for a safe, successful start to your recovery journey.
We accept all Colorado Medicaid plans to make life-saving treatment more accessible. Our admissions team is available 24/7, so you don't need to wait to get help. Get started right now by calling 303.268.2987 or contacting us online.
