Detox Centers vs. Home Detox: Which is Safer for Sedative Addiction?

Sedative abuse and addiction can cause severe withdrawal symptoms that, in some cases, can even become deadly. Therefore, detoxing in a professional facility is much safer than and highly recommended over home detox. Call 800-315-1376 (Who Answers?) now to find detox centers where you can recover as safely as possible from sedative dependence.

Sedative Withdrawal and Its Risks

Prescription sedatives, such as barbiturates, benzodiazepines, and sleep medications, can create severe withdrawal symptoms, especially in those who have been abusing them. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse’s Commonly Abused Drug Chart, these should be discussed with a doctor, as they can be serious and even deadly. Common symptoms include:

Depersonalization is a common symptom of sedative withdrawal.

• Depersonalization
• Anxiety
• Sleep problems
• Tremors
• Headache
• Sweating
• Problems concentrating
• Nausea
• Tension
• Anxiety
• Panic attacks
• Hypersensitivity
• Seizures
• Depression
• Suicidal thoughts

Some of these symptoms, especially those that cause confusion, depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts, can be extremely dangerous and lead the individual to accidental death or self-harm. Seizures can also be severe, especially in those who have never before experienced them. The many dangers associated with this syndrome make it problematic to go through detox at home.

Why Can’t I Home Detox for Sedative Withdrawal?

According to the medical journal Addiction, “Withdrawal phenomena appear to be more severe following withdrawal from high doses or short-acting benzodiazepines” and other sedatives.

When a person abuses these drugs, they become even more likely to experience dangerous or deadly symptoms, but even someone attempting to stop their legal and doctor-recommended use of these substances must still receive professional treatment for detox.

You may feel that your withdrawal is unlikely to become problematic, but this could happen with hardly any warning. Many individuals who withdraw from sedatives feel fine at first and then experience severe symptoms without a hint of this change beforehand. Being away from a facility that would be able to provide you with the medication and other treatments you will require can be very dangerous for you in this situation.

Home detox is not the safest choice for sedative withdrawal. In fact, most people shouldn’t even choose outpatient detox, especially if they were abusing the drug. In general, the safest option is medically assisted withdrawal in a detox center followed by addiction treatment.

What Happens in Sedative Detox?

According to the Semel Institute, patients are usually weaned off the medication slowly in order to avoid experiencing severe withdrawal symptoms. Once they are no longer dependent on the medication, their need for addiction treatment is evaluated and they can begin their full recovery.

It should always be noted that detox itself is not a treatment for addiction but only the beginning of one’s professional rehab program, and without addiction treatment, one cannot recover fully.

Call 800-315-1376 (Who Answers?) now to find rehab centers and detox facilities where you can begin your recovery from sedative abuse and safely detox from these dangerous drugs. We can also answer any questions you may have on substance abuse and treatment. Call today.