If you or a loved one is addicted to prescription drugs it is critical that you get professional, medically supervised help to faciliate a safe plan for withdrawal.
Avoid anyone who advertises “rapid detox” – this method where a person is basically rendered unconscious for a period of time during withdrawal is not recommended.
The first step is to contact a doctor who is an addiction specialist. If you can, find a board-certified addiction psychiatrist. They will understand the issues related to addiction and will not underestimate the seriousness of your dependency.
The next step is usually detox. This should be medically supervised in a safe setting. Some people will do detox in a hospital, especially if they are addicted to an extremely high dose of opiates. However, many drug rehabs offer medically supervised detox at the start of an inpatient residential program.
Ask the rehab who supervises the detox (you want an M.D.) and be very honest about each and every drug you are taking and the dosage (how often and how much). It is extremely important that you not underplay your addiction because that will help doctors determine the best course for detoxification.
The next step is a residential program. A minimum of 30 days is recommended, although if you have had relapses or have been addicted for many years, research has shown 90 days is the minimum to build a strong foundation.