Last Updated:

June 19th, 2025

Prescription Drug Detox | Withdrawal Process

Prescription drug detox is an essential starting point for anyone ready to begin recovery. There are millions of people suffering from prescription drug addiction in the UK and worldwide, but detox can be a gateway to a new life. While deciding to quit prescription drugs is a massive step, attempting it on your own can be very dangerous and is often only a short-term fix. That is why medical prescription drug detox is so important for helping you heal, recover and move forward safely.

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What is prescription drug detox?

Prescription drug detox (short for conversation) technically means quitting prescription drugs so your body can clear them all out. However, in addiction recovery terms, prescription drug detox means a medically guided removal of drugs rather than quitting “cold turkey” with no professional help at home.

Prescription drug detox is an unskippable step in recovery because it resolves the physical aspect of addiction. This then allows you to move on to prescription drug rehab, which focuses on the remaining aspects like psychological dependency and personal emotional struggles.

“Medical” prescription drug detox is planned, guided and supported by a professional medical detox team. They will keep you hydrated, fed and emotionally supported as you move systematically through the stages of prescription drug withdrawal. In some cases, such as when a person is experiencing potentially dangerous complications, they may administer medication for prescription drug withdrawal. This will depend on your reaction to prescription drug detox and whether you have any other pressing health needs.

What is prescription drug withdrawal?

There are many different types of prescription drugs, and they have varying effects and side effects. However, one thing that many of the most common prescription drugs have in common is that continuous, excessive use can cause physical dependence. This is often the first stepping stone to addiction, and it means that your brain has become so used to the presence of the drugs that it relies on them to produce chemicals like serotonin, dopamine and GABA. These chemicals are crucial because they are what the brain uses for various everyday functions.

If you stop taking prescription drugs, your brain has to take charge of those chemicals again on its own, but it takes some time to relearn how. This period of adjustment is called prescription drug withdrawal, and it causes a range of symptoms depending on the type of medication. Some of the most common symptoms of prescription drug withdrawal for different medications include:

Antidepressant withdrawal

Antidepressant withdrawal

Antidepressants such as SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors) can lead to withdrawal symptoms like mood swings, irritability, flu-like symptoms and a phenomenon known as “brain zaps”, which are sudden jolts likened to an electric shock in the brain.
Antidepressant withdrawal

Opioid withdrawal symptoms

Opioid withdrawal symptoms

Opioids, including medications like morphine, hydrocodone and oxycodone, can cause severe flu-like symptoms, intense cravings, muscle aches, excessive sweating, nausea, vomiting and sleep disturbance.
Opioid withdrawal symptoms

Pregabalin withdrawal

Pregabalin withdrawal

Withdrawal from Pregabalin, a prescription drug often used for nerve-related pain, can include symptoms such as anxiety, insomnia, nausea and headaches, as well as potential seizures in very severe cases.
Pregabalin withdrawal

There are two ways to resolve prescription drug withdrawal symptoms:

1. Relapse and start taking prescription drugs again to satisfy your brain’s cravings.
2. See out prescription drug withdrawal, allowing your brain to readjust, your systems to clear all the drugs and your body to heal.

How long does prescription drug withdrawal last?

The exact length of prescription drug withdrawal depends on what type of medication you have become dependent on.

For example, opioid withdrawal can start within 12 hours of the last dose and typically peaks within 24 to 72 hours. Opioid prescription drug withdrawal symptoms can last from a week to a month, with psychological cravings potentially persisting longer.

Antidepressants, especially SSRIs, may have a withdrawal duration that ranges from a few weeks to several months. Symptoms can appear within days of stopping the medication and gradually taper off but you may experience protracted prescription drug withdrawal symptoms that linger for months.

Withdrawal from Pregabalin can begin within one to three days after discontinuation and may last for a week to several weeks.

As well as the type of prescription drug, the severity and duration of prescription drug withdrawal symptoms can be influenced by your dosage, duration of use, your age and health and how much support you get.

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The benefits of a medical prescription drug detox

Medical prescription drug detox programmes focus on safeguarding your well-being while maximising your recovery success. Here are some of the biggest benefits of treatment at a prescription drug detox centre vs home detox:

Planning for safety and success
At the outset of prescription drug detox, your medical team will conduct a thorough review of your health background and drug use. This will allow them to develop a detox plan that preemptively addresses your expected symptoms of prescription drug withdrawal. This plan may include medication for prescription drug withdrawal but most importantly, can be adjusted to any new symptoms or development.
Dedicated medical support
The sometimes unpredictable symptoms of prescription drug withdrawal mean that continuous monitoring is required. This can prevent any emergencies and can also make sure that your detox plan is working. In a prescription drug detox centre, you will have a 24/7 team to intervene if complications arise. This means urgent medical care can be given which isn’t available when you attempt a prescription drug detox at home.
Controlled conditions for relapse prevention
If you have tried to quit on your own before, you know how powerful prescription drug withdrawal symptoms and cravings can be and may have relapsed. A professional prescription drug detox centre provides a controlled, drug-free environment that effectively prevents any relapse opportunities. This is supported by a strong framework of emotional and psychological support, so the temptation to quit so you can take prescription drugs again is significantly decreased.
Comprehensive care programmes
In a professional recovery clinic, prescription drug detox is seamlessly paired with rehab therapy, providing a unified treatment regimen that spans the full spectrum of recovery. This integrated model ensures you receive thorough care from physical detox to psychological healing. This helps to prevent any unresolved issues that could lead to relapse later.

Tips for a successful prescription drug detox

Prescription drug detox is a personal experience but if you approach it in the right way, it can be a transformative process. Here are some tips for making the most out of your time in prescription drug detox:

Stick to your strategy
Diligently adhering to your prescribed prescription detox regimen ensures a safer and more effective process. This includes taking part in any assigned therapy, following dietary guidance and taking your prescribed prescription drug withdrawal medication.
Keep yourself hydrated
Proper fluid intake during detox helps to flush out prescription drugs more easily and helps your body heal and return to normal functioning.
Embrace the chance for self-care
We rarely get time for ourselves, so we use prescription drug detox as a priceless opportunity for self-care. You can stretch, read, meditate, or even do some gentle yoga to help with physical, mental, and emotional relaxation and healing.
Draw strength from loved ones
Relying on the emotional support from family, friends and your prescription drug detox team can bolster your motivation and resilience during withdrawal.

Contact us today for the best prescription drug detox options

If you’re looking for expert advice on prescription drug detox, Addiction Helper is all you need. We can talk you through the process, resolve any worries, and connect you to rehab options that are right for you. Get in touch with us today to get started.

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Our compassionate team are ready and available to take your call, and guide you towards lasting the lasting addiction recovery you deserve.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can prescription drug withdrawal result in visual disturbances?
Yes, withdrawal from certain prescription drugs can result in visual disturbances. This symptom is particularly common with medicines that affect the central nervous system like benzodiazepines and certain antidepressants. When you stop taking these prescription drugs abruptly, you may experience visual symptoms such as blurriness, light sensitivity and even temporary vision loss as your brain adjusts to the absence of the medication.
Can withdrawal from prescription drugs lead to restless legs syndrome?
Withdrawal from certain prescription drugs, especially opioids and some types of antidepressants, can indeed lead to restless legs syndrome. This condition creates an irresistible urge to move your legs alongside other uncomfortable sensations. Restless leg syndrome can occur because these prescription drugs affect neurotransmitter levels in your brain and stopping them suddenly can disrupt these levels.
Why does prescription drug withdrawal sometimes cause severe fatigue?
Severe fatigue during prescription drug withdrawal occurs because your body is trying to recalibrate its chemical balance. Many prescription drugs, particularly central nervous system depressants like opioids, artificially alter your brain’s production of neurotransmitters that regulate your energy levels and sleep patterns. When you stop taking them, the sudden drop in neurotransmitter levels can disrupt your normal sleep cycles and energy levels, resulting in severe fatigue.

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