Chemical Detox

If you're addicted to any drug, you know how difficult it is to quit. You've probably even quit on more than one occasion, only to find that the side effects were too debilitating. But you're not alone. In 2006, the state of Indiana recorded more than 37,000 admissions to alcohol and drug detox treatment programs. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that in 1999 more than 9,000 people died from drug-related accidents and illnesses. Any particular detoxification plan will depend on the chemical addiction and the length of the usage.

Opioid Addiction and Detox

• Opioids--like Vicodin, Percocet and OxyContin--can only be obtained legally by prescription. Doctors prescribe these drugs to treat severe pain. Heroin is also in this class. The National Institute on Drug Abuse reports that heroin is the most abused and the quickest-acting of all opiates. The Alabama Department of Mental Health indicates that the longer you take an opioid, the more medication you will need over time to achieve the same results. The American Family Physician Journal presents two primary approaches to treating opiate addiction. Drug replacement therapy is when another substance is used in place of the abused drug. Methadone has been used for years as a substitute for opiates. In 2002 the Food and Drug Administration approved buprenorphine (brand name Suboxone) for treating opioid dependence. Studies have shown this drug to be a safe and effective substitute to methadone and particularly effective for addicts with prior methadone experience.

Sedative Addiction and Detox

• Sedatives are a class of drugs that include barbiturates, tranquilizers, benzodiazepines (also called benzos) and alcohol. Some of the most popularly abused benzos are Xanax, Klonopin and Ativan. Phenobarbital is an example of a barbiturate. Though a fast-acting sedative, Ambien has cropped up over recent years as a preferred drug to abuse, especially when combined with alcohol. Ambien's popularity stems from the fact that it is a legally prescribed medication to treat sleep problems. All of these drugs, including alcohol, depress the central nervous system and produce a feeling of euphoria. However, when taken in excess or combined with other drugs, sedatives are extraordinarily dangerous and potentially life-threatening. It's also very difficult to withdraw from sedatives. Once your body builds up a tolerance, abruptly withdrawing can result in death if not done under medical supervision. Detoxing from these medications can take anywhere from seven to 14 days. It is recommended to detox from sedatives in an inpatient facility so mood and physical health can be monitored frequently.

Stimulant Addiction and Detox

• Stimulants like cocaine and methamphetamine are popular because they release dopamine in the brain and produce a euphoric and hyper-alert state of mind. For addicts who have abused stimulants for a long period of time, it is not unusual to become paranoid, easily become angry and even become violent toward yourself and others. Side effects of stimulant abuse are an irregular heartbeat, increased risk for heart failure and seizures. To withdraw from coke or meth, it's recommend to slowly reduce your dosage rather than go "cold turkey." You put yourself at greater risk for dangerous and life-threatening side effects if you stop taking these drugs too abruptly. An inpatient detox facility is the best place to be when you're withdrawing from stimulant addiction. Medical staff will be on hand to monitor your moods, heart rate and blood pressure.