Which medications are used during detox?

Different medications are used to treat different withdrawal symptoms. Some of the drugs that are prescribed in detox include Benzodiazepines. These drugs reduce anxiety and irritability. Anxiety is a common symptom of withdrawal from many drugs, including cocaine and opiates, like heroin. Benzos have a sedative effect, which helps ease alcohol withdrawals.

Doctors are cautious about prescribing benzos because they are addictive. Antidepressants- Without drugs, an addicted person cannot produce natural amounts of happiness-inducing chemicals in their brain. Because they’ve relied on drugs to keep them happy for so long, people in detox often experience depression. Antidepressants like Zoloft and Prozac can help relieve these feelings until the brain is able to produce happiness-inducing chemicals on its own again.