Kristen Fuller MD | American Addiction Centers

Medical Editor

<h2>Physical Effects &amp; Dangers of Alcohol</h2>
Alcohol abuse, also known as alcohol misuse, occurs when a person consumes alcohol inappropriately or in ways that cause harm to themselves and the people around them. For example, blacking out, binge drinking, drinking too frequently, or using alcohol as a negative coping mechanism are examples of alcohol misuse which can contribute to several health-related issues. In fact, it's been linked to over 200 diseases and <a href="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/alcoholism-treatment/health-issues" target="_blank" rel="noopener">health issues</a>, including:1-3

[columns count="2"]
<ul>
 	<li>High blood pressure.</li>
 	<li><a href="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/alcoholism-treatment/alcoholic-gastritis">Gastritis, or inflammation of the stomach</a>.</li>
 	<li>Heart disease.</li>
 	<li>Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis, <a href="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/alcoholism-treatment/alcoholic-fatty-liver">fatty liver</a>, liver cancer)</li>
 	<li>Pancreatitis (infection and inflammation of the pancreas).</li>
 	<li>Stomach ulcers.</li>
 	<li>Mouth cancer.</li>
 	<li>Depression.</li>
 	<li>Immune system dysfunction, which makes individuals vulnerable to infections.</li>
 	<li>Stroke.</li>
 	<li>Colon cancer.</li>
 	<li>Breast cancer.</li>
 	<li>Dementia.</li>
 	<li>Osteoporosis.</li>
 	<li><a href="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/alcoholism-treatment/symptoms-of-fetal-alcohol-syndrome-a-guide-for-pregnant-mothers" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Fetal alcohol syndrome</a>.</li>
 	<li><a href="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/alcoholism-treatment" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Alcohol use disorder</a>.</li>
</ul>
[/columns]

Even small amounts of alcohol can cause:1
<ul>
 	<li>Memory loss.</li>
 	<li>Slurred speech.</li>
 	<li>Balance problems.</li>
 	<li>Slowed reaction times.</li>
 	<li>Blurred vision.</li>
 	<li>Poor night's sleep.</li>
 	<li>Lowered inhibitions.</li>
</ul>
[quote]
Drinking too much also increases the risk of suicide, unintended pregnancy, sexually-transmitted diseases, and other negative health outcomes.
[/quote]

<a name="Understanding the Phases of Intoxication"></a>
<h2>Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC): Phases of Intoxication</h2>
While the full visible effects of alcohol might take some time to surface after an individual consumes alcohol, alcohol begins to impair thinking, reasoning, and muscle coordination quickly. That's because alcohol is absorbed from the stomach and small intestine into the bloodstream, where it accumulates until it's metabolized by the liver.4 The rate of absorption depends on several factors, including the amount, concentration, and type of alcohol consumed, the presence of food, the rate of gastric emptying (food moving from stomach to small intestine), gastrointestinal motility (the rate at which food moves from the mouth, through the digestive tract, and out of the body), and blood flow.5

Blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is a measurement of the percentage of alcohol in the bloodstream at a given time.6 For instance, if an individual has a BAC of 0.10%, it means their blood contains one part alcohol for every 1,000 parts blood. Therefore, it's an individual's BAC, not the exact amount of alcohol they've consumed, that determines the effects the alcohol will have on them.

The following is an overview of the somewhat predictable stages of alcohol intoxication, illustrated by BAC levels, through which an individual may pass as they continue to drink.7
<ul>
 	<li>0.020-0.099%: At this stage, individuals usually experience pleasurable effects but typically experience some loss of muscle coordination. There might be changes in mood, personality, and behavior. Inhibitions have likely lessened at this point. Individuals usually believe they are functioning better than they are, which can lead them to operate a vehicle. A BAC of 0.08% is considered the legal limit to operate a motorized vehicle in all 50 states. In other words, if your BAC is equal to or greater than .08%, then you are over the legal limit to drive and will get a DUI if you are pulled over.</li>
 	<li>0.100-0.199%: The euphoric effects of alcohol will likely still be felt. Neurological impairment prolongs reaction times; impairs coordination, balance, and speech; and causes poor judgment.</li>
 	<li>0.20-0.299%: At this point, intoxication is obvious except in individuals with marked tolerance. For those without a very high tolerance, all mental, sensory, and physical capabilities become impaired. The individual may begin to feel nauseous; vomit; and exhibit significant lack of coordination, balance, and speech.</li>
 	<li>0.300-0.399%: Life-threatening conditions, such as hypothermia, severe dysarthria (muscles used to produce speech are damaged, paralyzed, or weakened from brain damage), amnesia (lack of memory), and stage 1 anesthesia (consciousness begins to slip) happen when the BAC reaches this level.</li>
 	<li>0.400-0.599%: The onset of alcoholic coma begins—the precise level depends on the individual's degree of tolerance. Consciousness progressively reduces, and breathing, blood pressure, and body temperature decrease. In addition, individuals with this BAC level typically experience urinary incontinence or retention, and nearly or completely absent reflexes.</li>
 	<li>0.600-0.800% and above: This stage is often fatal because of a loss of airway due to obstruction by a paralyzed tongue, inhaling vomit through the windpipe and into the lungs, or the individual stops breathing.</li>
</ul>
Although BAC is a conclusive measure of the amount of alcohol in one's body, it can be difficult to put into everyday language what this level means. To help clarify, consider how the BAC translates into the following (estimated) number of drinks for a 160-pound male:8
<ul>
 	<li>A BAC of 0.02% equals approximately 2 alcoholic drinks.</li>
 	<li>Three alcoholic beverages would raise his BAC to 0.05%.</li>
 	<li>Four alcoholic drinks would increase his BAC to 0.08% and result in a <a href="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/alcoholism-treatment/dui">DUI</a>, DUII, or DWI in all 50 states if he got behind the wheel of a car.</li>
 	<li>His BAC goes up to 0.10% when he consumes 5 drinks.</li>
 	<li>And he is at approximately a BAC of 0.15% after 7 alcoholic drinks.</li>
</ul>
<h2>What Is An Alcohol Use Disorder?</h2>
Researchers, psychiatrists, medical clinicians, therapists, and other addiction professionals rely on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-5 (DSM V) to diagnose mental health disorders. Alcohol misuse (alcohol abuse) can potentially develop into an alcohol use disorder (AUD).  Alcohol use disorder is a medical condition that is defined by the inability to control alcohol consumption despite harmful consequences. In other words, an alcohol use disorder occurs when an individual compulsively misuses alcohol and continues abusing alcohol despite knowing the negative impact it has on their life.

The term “alcoholism”, although commonly still used in everyday language is considered outdated by addiction and health professionals because it carries a negative stigma and bias. . Medical understanding of problematic alcohol consumption has progressed considerably. Today, clinicians understand that the condition is a mental health disorder and treat it as they would diabetes or high blood pressure.

AUD is a diagnosable medical condition that requires a person to meet at least 2 of the 11 DSM criteria. If 2-3 factors are present, the person is considered to have a mild-grade AUD. If 4-5 factors are present, the disorder is graded moderate. If six or more symptoms manifest, the individual is deemed to have a severe AUD. The following is a selected sample of the criteria used in DSM-5 for AUD. In the past year, have you:9
<ol>
 	<li>Had such a strong desire to drink that it was difficult to think about anything else?</li>
 	<li>Continued to use alcohol despite being aware that you were at risk for  depression, anxiety, medical complications, blackouts or risky decision making?</li>
 	<li>Found that on more than one occasion binge drinking has caused exposure to a dangerous activity, such as driving, swimming, operating machinery, or having unprotected sex?</li>
 	<li>Realized that you drink more alcohol than you used to in order to achieve the same desired intoxicated feeling; this is also known as developing an increased tolerance.</li>
</ol>
Individuals who are concerned that they may have signs and symptoms associated with an AUD should consider contacting a qualified clinician, therapist, or other addiction specialist so they can make a formal diagnosis and start treatment recommendations. It is important to keep in mind that alcohol use disorder can be treated with effective <a href="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/alcohol-rehab">alcohol rehab services</a>. A diagnosis is an important first step in recovery.
<h2>Binge Drinking Effects</h2>
A person who <a href="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/alcoholism-treatment/binge-drinking-problem">binge drinks or drinks heavily</a> may or may not have an AUD. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, binge drinking is defined as excessive drinking—bringing an individual's BAC to 0.08% or higher—in a confined period. This typically happens when men consume 5 or more drinks in 2 hours, and women drink 4 or more alcoholic beverages in the same time frame. Unfortunately, binge drinking is the most common form of excessive alcohol use in the United States.10 In fact, 44.4% of current alcohol users were classified as binge drinkers, according to the 2020 National Survey on Drug Use and Health.11 Binge drinking has serious short-term and long-term effects.
<h3>Short-Term Effects of Binge Drinking</h3>
Short-term effects can happen whether an individual regularly participates in binge drinking or does it once. Some of the short-term effects of binge drinking alcohol include:12
<ul>
 	<li>Decreased motor coordination leading to injuries, such as falls, drownings, burns, and car crashes.</li>
 	<li>Nausea or vomiting.</li>
 	<li>Violence, including sexual assault, domestic abuse, and suicide.</li>
 	<li>Clouded judgement, which may lead to risky sexual behaviors, such as having unprotected sex.</li>
 	<li>Miscarriage or stillbirth among pregnant women.</li>
 	<li>Blackouts.</li>
 	<li>Alcohol poisoning.</li>
</ul>
As BAC increases so do the risks. Binge drinking produces such dramatic increases in BAC that a person can suffer alcohol poisoning, a serious—and sometimes deadly—consequence of drinking high volumes of alcohol in a short period of time even after they stop consuming alcohol. The <a href="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/alcoholism-treatment/overdose">symptoms associated with alcohol poisoning</a> may include:12
<ul>
 	<li>Irregular breathing (slowed breathing or shallow breathing).</li>
 	<li>Low body temperature leading to paleness or bluish skin color.</li>
 	<li>Seizures.</li>
 	<li>Difficulty staying alert and awake; loss of consciousness.</li>
 	<li>Vomiting.</li>
 	<li>Slow heart rate.</li>
 	<li>Clammy to the touch.</li>
 	<li>Dulled or nonexistent reflexes.</li>
</ul>
Seek medical attention immediately. Do not wait for symptoms to progress. Someone who is passed out can die from alcohol overdose.12
<h3>Long-Term Effects of Binge Drinking</h3>
For individuals who binge drink repeatedly, the repeated behavior can cause long-term, negative health effects. The following are some long-term side effects associated with repeated binge drinking:10,13-15
<ul>
 	<li>Alcohol use disorder.</li>
 	<li>Brain damage. Unfortunately, if individuals consume a heavy volume of alcohol over an extended period of time, they may cause <a href="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/alcoholism-treatment/brain-damage" target="_blank" rel="noopener">structural changes in the brain</a>, especially the complexes associated with learning and decision-making. Damage may range from memory lapses to debilitating conditions. In the adolescent brain, studies show that binge drinking and heavy alcohol use affects learning, attention, executive functioning, impulsivity, memory, depth perception, and spatial navigation—issues that may persist into adulthood.</li>
 	<li>Liver damage. It is well established that alcohol damages the liver and disrupts its healthy functioning and ability to repair itself. Some individuals may develop alcohol-induced liver damage as a result of chronic drinking or binge drinking.</li>
 	<li>Cardiovascular disease. Over time, individuals who binge drink may develop high blood pressure and/or suffer a heart attack or stroke.</li>
 	<li>Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. Repeated episodes of binge drinking among pregnant women can lead to birth defects and other problems in the fetus.</li>
 	<li>Cancer. Heavy alcohol consumption has been linked to breast, mouth, throat, esophagus, colon, and liver cancers.</li>
</ul>
[segment-cta]
<h2>Take Our Alcohol Abuse Self-Assessment</h2>
Take our free, 5-minute alcohol abuse self-assessment below if you think you or someone you love might be struggling with alcohol abuse. The evaluation consists of 11 yes or no questions that are intended to be used as an informational tool to assess the severity and probability of an alcohol use disorder. The test is free, confidential, and no personal information is needed to receive the result.

[self-assessment substance="alcohol"]

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[/link-bank]
<h3>Sources</h3>
<ol>
 	<li>Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/fact-sheets/alcohol-use.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Alcohol Use and Your Health</a>.</li>
 	<li>National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. <a href="https://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/10report/chap04b.pdf">Alcohol and the Immune System</a>.</li>
 	<li>National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. <a href="https://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/arh26-4/292-298.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Alcohol and Other Factors Affecting Osteoporosis Risk in Women</a>.</li>
 	<li>Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/faqs.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener">About Alcohol</a>.</li>
 	<li>Perry, Paul J., Doroudgar, Shadi, and Van Dyke, Priuscilla. (2017). <a href="http://jaapl.org/content/45/4/429" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ethanol Forensic Toxicology</a>. The Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law, 45(4), 429-438.</li>
 	<li>World Health Organization. <a href="https://www.who.int/data/gho/indicator-metadata-registry/imr-details/1407" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Global Health Observatory: Blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit when driving a vehicle</a>. </li>
 	<li>Miller, S. C., Fiellin, D. A., Rosenthal, R. N., &amp; Saitz, R. (2019). The ASAM Principles of Addiction Medicine, Sixth Edition. Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer.</li>
 	<li>Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2018). <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/transportationsafety/impaired_driving/impaired-drv_factsheet.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Transportation Safety Impaired Driving: Get the Facts</a>.</li>
 	<li>National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. (2021). <a href="https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/brochures-and-fact-sheets/alcohol-use-disorder-comparison-between-dsm" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Alcohol Use Disorder: A Comparison Between DSM-IV and DSM-5</a>.</li>
 	<li>Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2019). <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/fact-sheets/binge-drinking.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Alcohol and Public Health: Binge Drinking</a>.</li>
 	<li>Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. <a href="https://www.samhsa.gov/data/release/2020-national-survey-drug-use-and-health-nsduh-releases" target="_blank" rel="noopener">2020 National Survey of Drug Use and Health</a>.</li>
 	<li>National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. <a href="https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/brochures-and-fact-sheets/understanding-dangers-of-alcohol-overdose" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Understanding the Dangers of Alcohol Overdose</a>.</li>
 	<li>National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. (2004). <a href="https://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/aa63/aa63.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Alcohol Alert: Alcohol’s Damaging Effects on the Brain.</a></li>
 	<li>Lees, Briana, Meredith, Lindsay R., Kirkland, Anna E., Bryant, Brittany E., and Squeglia, Lindsay M. (2020). <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7183385/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Effect of alcohol use on the adolescent brain and behavior</a>. Pharmacology, Biochemistry, and Behavior. </li>
 	<li>Shield, Kevin D., M.H.Sc., Perry, Charles, Ph.D, and Rehm, Jürgen, Ph.D. (2013). <a href="https://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/arcr352/155-173.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Focus On: Chronic Diseases and Conditions Related to Alcohol Use</a>. Alcohol Research: Current Reviews, 35(2), 155-173.</li>
</ol>

Physical Effects of Alcohol and Risk of Disease

Benzodiazepine Addiction: How to Stop Benzodiazepines

[content-overview]

<a href="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/benzodiazepine" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Benzodiazepines</a>, often referred to as benzos, are central nervous system (CNS) depressants primarily prescribed for the treatment of specific anxiety disorders such as, panic disorder as well as sleep disorders. Additionally, healthcare professionals use benzodiazepines to treat seizure disorders, alcohol withdrawal, involuntary muscle disorders, and presurgical sedation.1,2[/content-overview]

Benzodiazepines are widely prescribed in the United States.2 In fact, Xanax (alprazolam), Klonopin (clonazepam), Valium (diazepam), and Ativan (lorazepam)—all benzodiazepines—are among the top 100 most commonly prescribed medications.2

While considered to be effective, benzodiazepines carry some notable side effects, including the development of tolerance and dependence, which can occur even when benzodiazepines are taken at therapeutic doses.3

Keep reading to understand how benzodiazepines work, the short- and long-term effects of use, and how to get help if you or a loved one struggle with benzodiazepine misuse and addiction.
<h2>How Do Benzodiazepines Work?</h2>
Benzodiazepines exert calming effects by manipulating the body’s primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in the CNS, gamma-aminobutyric acid, or GABA.4 Benzodiazepines facilitate the binding of GABA at receptors throughout the brain and spinal cord, causing an overly excited central nervous system to calm down; promoting feelings of relaxation.4

With repeated use, over time, this neuroadaptive process can build tolerance, which can take two forms: An individual requires more benzodiazepines to achieve the same desired effect or there is a markedly diminished effect with continued use of the same amount of benzos.1,5 Tolerance can be a contributing factor to developing a physiological dependence to benzodiazepines.1 

Dependence on a drug occurs when a person’s body physically adapts to the drug to the extent that it is needed to function normally. In the absence of the drug, withdrawal symptoms appear.1,3,6 With significant levels of physiological dependence, a person may continue to compulsively use benzodiazepines to avoid the unwanted withdrawal symptoms, which in the case of benzos, can be uncomfortable but also potentially dangerous and life-threatening.1,3

Seizures are of particular concern with benzodiazepine withdrawal.1 

<img src="/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/bigstock-Pills-In-Pill-Bottle-On-White-91011863-250x167.jpg" alt="Pills In Pill Bottle On White Background" width="250" height="167" align="right" />
<h3>Benzodiazepine Misuse</h3>
The Drug Enforcement Administration classifies benzodiazepines as Schedule IV substances, which means there is a lower potential for misuse than drugs in Schedules I-III.7 However, in 2019, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) included a boxed warning—its most prominent warning—on all benzodiazepines, cautioning prescribers and patients about the potential for misuse and addiction, even when benzodiazepines are taken at the recommended therapeutic dose.8 And in 2020, 4.8 million people aged 12 and older misused benzodiazepines in the past year.9

Misuse of benzodiazepines includes: 4,10
<ul>
 	<li>Taking more of the benzodiazepine than was prescribed.</li>
 	<li>Buying benzodiazepines illicitly after a prescription runs out.</li>
 	<li>Taking them in a manner other than was prescribed, such as crushing the pills and snorting them through the nose.</li>
 	<li>Taking them with other medications, illicit drugs, or alcohol. For instance, individuals may combine benzodiazepines and opioids to enhance the euphoric effects of each. On the other hand, benzos may be used to self-manage the feelings of irritability and agitation or alleviate sleeplessness induced by cocaine or other stimulant drugs.</li>
</ul>
<h2>Benzodiazepine Side Effects</h2>
Benzodiazepines are generally safe when taken as prescribed for short periods of time—no more than a few weeks.1,3 While all benzos affect the brain similarly (as mentioned above), the side effects may differ, impacted by the type of benzo taken, the dose, and the duration of use.1,3

[callout]

The most common effects of benzodiazepine use include drowsiness, fatigue, and lethargy.11 At higher doses, benzodiazepines can cause other effects, including:11,12
<ul>
 	<li>Slurred speech.</li>
 	<li>Confusion.</li>
 	<li>Dizziness and disorientation.</li>
 	<li>Decreased motor coordination.</li>
 	<li>Problems with memory.</li>
 	<li>Poor concentration.</li>
 	<li>Decreased blood pressure.</li>
 	<li>Slowed breathing.</li>
</ul>
[/callout]

<a href="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/benzodiazepine/mixing" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Combining benzodiazepines with other substances</a>, including other CNS depressants, such as opioids and alcohol can further slow heart rate and breathing.13
<h2>Effects of Long-Term Benzodiazepine Use</h2>
Benzodiazepines produce almost immediate effects; therefore, they are typically prescribed for short-term or “as-needed” use.3 Individuals who take benzodiazepines may develop tolerance, though the rate depends on the type of benzo taken and duration of use. With long-term, high-dose use, benzodiazepines also become less effective.3

[callout]

Other side effects of long-term benzodiazepine use may include:3,14,15
<ul>
 	<li>Tolerance.</li>
 	<li>Dependence.</li>
 	<li>Addiction.</li>
 	<li>Cognitive impairment.</li>
 	<li>Cognitive decline.</li>
 	<li>Dementia, especially in older adults.</li>
</ul>
[/callout]

Additionally, there is an increased risk of <a href="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/benzodiazepine/overdose" target="_blank" rel="noopener">overdose</a> if individuals use benzodiazepines with other sedative drugs, such as opioids and alcohol.14
<h2>Benzodiazepine Overdose</h2>
Deaths resulting from a benzodiazepine overdose alone are rare. Severe overdose and/or fatal overdose is more likely to occur with the concomitant use of benzodiazepines and other substances, particularly, other CNS depressants like alcohol and opioids.16

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which published a data set on benzodiazepine-involved overdose rates in 38 states and the District of Columbia, of the 41,496 overdose deaths reported by 23 states from January to June 2022, 16.8% involved benzodiazepines, while 91% involved both benzodiazepines and opioids.16
<h2>Benzodiazepine Dependence and Withdrawal</h2>
As previously mentioned, dependence can occur even when benzodiazepines are taken as prescribed. Thus, <a href="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/benzodiazepine/how-to-stop" target="_blank" rel="noopener">abruptly stopping or trying to cut back</a> use after developing a physiological dependence to the drug can result in unpleasant, potentially dangerous, and even life-threatening <a href="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/benzodiazepine/symptoms-and-signs" target="_blank" rel="noopener">withdrawal symptoms</a>, which may include:1,3,17
<ul>
 	<li>Anxiety.</li>
 	<li>Agitation.</li>
 	<li>Increased heart rate.</li>
 	<li>Elevated blood pressure.</li>
 	<li>Hand tremors.</li>
 	<li>Insomnia.</li>
 	<li>Nausea or vomiting.</li>
 	<li>Fleeting visual, auditory, and tactile hallucinations or illusions.</li>
 	<li>Seizures.</li>
</ul>
Several factors impact the severity and <a href="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/benzodiazepine/length-of-withdrawal" target="_blank" rel="noopener">duration of withdrawal symptoms</a>.4,18 For a small portion of individuals, who use benzodiazepines long term, prolonged withdrawal—which can last for weeks, months, even up to a year—can occur after they discontinue use.18
<h2>Benzodiazepine Addiction Treatment</h2>
If you or a loved one struggles with benzodiazepine misuse or addiction, help is available. Treatment can aid you in stopping the use of benzodiazepines—and other substances—and allow you to regain control of your life.

Stopping the use of benzodiazepines abruptly (or on your own) is not recommended. If you’re ready to stop, talk to your healthcare provider. You may benefit from <a href="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/drug-detox">medical detox</a> since withdrawal from benzodiazepines can be uncomfortable and, in some cases, life-threatening.17,20 Medically managed detoxification allows your body to rid itself of the substances safely and as comfortably as possible. However, detox alone is typically not sufficient to help someone maintain lasting recovery; it’s usually the first step in a more comprehensive treatment plan.21

The subsequent treatment depends on your individual needs but may include a combination of individual and group counseling, behavioral therapies, psychoeducation, medication,<a href="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/co-occurring-disorders"> co-occurring disorder treatment</a>, polysubstance addiction treatment, continuing care, and more. It may take place in either an <a href="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/rehab-guide/inpatient">inpatient</a> or <a href="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/rehab-guide/outpatient-treatment">outpatient</a> setting.20 

To understand your treatment options, you can contact your primary care physician or mental healthcare provider. You can also call American Addiction Centers [phone]

AAC is a leading provider in evidence-based treatment. Talk to one of our compassionate Admissions Navigators who can answer your questions, verify your insurance, and explain your treatment options.

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 	<li><a href="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/benzodiazepine/how-to-stop" target="_blank" rel="noopener">How to Quit Benzo Addiction</a></li>
 	<li><a href="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/insurance-coverage/using-medicaid-to-pay-for-rehab" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Medicaid Insurance</a></li>
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 	<li><a href="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/rehab-guide/couples" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Couples Rehab Near Me</a></li>
 	<li><a href="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/rehab-guide/couples" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Christian &amp; Faith Based Rehab Near Me</a></li>
 	<li><a href="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/rehab-guide/residential" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Residential Rehab</a></li>
</ul>
[/link-bank]

[sources]
<ol>
 	<li>Edinoff, A.N., Nix, C.A., Hollier, J., Sagrera, C.E., Delacroix, B.M., Abubakar, T., ..., &amp; Kaye, A.D. (2021, November 10). <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8629021/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Benzodiazepines: Uses, dangers, and clinical considerations</a>. Neurol Int. 13(4):594-607.</li>
 	<li>Mehdi, T. (2012, March). <a href="https://www.bjmp.org/files/2012-5-1/bjmp-2012-5-1-a501.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Benzodiazepines revisited</a>. British Journal of Medical Practitioners5(1), 501-509.</li>
 	<li>Longo, L.P. &amp; Johnson, B. (2000). <a href="https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2000/0401/p2121.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Addiction: Part I. Benzodiazepines - Side effects, abuse risk and alternatives</a>. American Fam Physician 61(7), 2121-2128</li>
 	<li>Drug Enforcement Administration. (2019, December). <a href="https://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drug_chem_info/benzo.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Benzodiazepines</a>.</li>
 	<li>Schmitz, A. (2016, May). <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6007645/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Benzodiazepine use, misuse and abuse: A review.</a> The Mental Health Clinician 6(3), 120-126.</li>
 	<li>Preuss, C.V., Kalava, A., &amp; King, K.C. (2022, September 21). <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK537318/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Prescription of controlled substances: benefits and risks</a>. Treasure Island, FL: StatPearls Publishing.</li>
 	<li>Drug Enforcement Administration. (n.d.). <a href="https://www.dea.gov/drug-information/drug-scheduling" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Drug Scheduling</a>.</li>
 	<li>U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2020, September 23). <a href="https://www.fda.gov/media/142368/download" target="_blank" rel="noopener">FDA requiring Boxed Warning updated to improve safe use of benzodiazepine drug class: Includes potential for abuse, addiction, and other serious risks</a>.</li>
 	<li>Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2021, October). <a href="https://www.samhsa.gov/data/sites/default/files/reports/rpt35325/NSDUHFFRPDFWHTMLFiles2020/2020NSDUHFFR1PDFW102121.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Key Substance Use and Mental Health Indicators in the United States: Results from the 2020 National Survey on Drug Use and Health</a>. </li>
 	<li>National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2022, May 10). <a href="https://nida.nih.gov/publications/research-reports/misuse-prescription-drugs/overview#:~:text=Misuse%20of%20prescription%20drugs%20means,i.e.%2C%20to%20get%20high)." target="_blank" rel="noopener">Misuse of prescription drugs research report: overview</a>.</li>
 	<li>Griffin C.E., Kaye, A.M., Bueno F.R., &amp; Kaye, A.D. (2013). <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3684331/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Benzodiazepine pharmacology and central nervous system-mediated effects</a>. Ochsner J.13(2), 214-223.</li>
 	<li>National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2020, August). <a href="https://nida.nih.gov/download/2918/commonly-used-drugs-charts.pdf?v=297a7d6c889a22228d2e4ab83541d494" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Commonly used drugs charts</a>.</li>
 	<li>U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2017, September 20). <a href="https://www.fda.gov/drugs/drug-safety-and-availability/fda-drug-safety-communication-fda-warns-about-serious-risks-and-death-when-combining-opioid-pain-or#:~:text=Concomitant%20use%20of%20opioid%20pain,coma%2C%20and%2For%20death." target="_blank" rel="noopener">FDA Drug Safety Communication: FDA warns about serious risks and death when combining opioid pain and or cough medicines with benzodiazepines; requires its strongest warning</a>. </li>
 	<li>Johnson, B. &amp; Streltzer, J. (2013, August 15). <a href="https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2013/0815/p224.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Risks associated with long-term benzodiazepine use</a>. American Fam Physician 88(4), 224-225.</li>
 	<li>He, Q., Chen, X., Wu, T., Li, Liyuan, Fei, X. (2019). <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6325366/#__ffn_sectitle" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Risk of Dementia in Long-Term Benzodiazepine Users: Evidence from a Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies</a>. J Clin Neurol, 15(1): 9-19.</li>
 	<li>Liu, S., O’Donnell, J., Gladden, R.M., McGlone, L., &amp; Chowdhury, F. (2021, August 27). <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/70/wr/mm7034a2.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Trends in nonfatal and fatal overdoses involving benzodiazepines — 38 states and the District of Columbia, 2019–2020</a>. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report70(34), 1136–1141.</li>
 	<li>National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2018, March). <a href="https://nida.nih.gov/download/22002/prescription-cns-depressants-drugfacts.pdf?v=5a1c8a6d418d387bcfc3ec055a9c3291" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Prescription CNS depressants DrugFacts</a>.</li>
 	<li>Brett, J. &amp; Murnion, B. (2015, October). <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4657308/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Management of benzodiazepine misuse and dependence</a>. Australian Prescriber38,(5), 152-155.</li>
 	<li>Liebrenz, M., Gehring, MT., Buadze, A. et al.(2015). <a href="https://bmcpsychiatry.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12888-015-0493-y" target="_blank" rel="noopener">High-dose benzodiazepine dependence: a qualitative study of patients’ perception on cessation and withdrawal</a>. BMC Psychiatry15, 116.</li>
 	<li>National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2020, June). <a href="https://nida.nih.gov/download/37630/misuse-prescription-drugs-research-report.pdf?v=add4ee202a1d1f88f8e1fdd2bb83a5ef" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Misuse of prescription drugs research report</a>.</li>
 	<li>National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2019, January). <a href="https://nida.nih.gov/download/1136/treatment-approaches-drug-addiction-drugfacts.pdf?v=5fa0687e4e3a8d98d73b91e518979b9d" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Treatment approaches for drug addiction DrugFacts</a>.</li>
</ol>
[/sources]

Side Effects of Benzodiazepine Use and Addiction

[content-overview]

Klonopin is a central nervous system (CNS) depressant medication.1 When used as prescribed, Klonopin can be helpful in the treatment of seizure and panic disorders.2 However, it also carries with it a risk of misuse, dependence, and addiction.2

[/content-overview]

This article explains Klonopin, how it works, what it is used for, its addiction potential, signs of misuse, symptoms of withdrawal, and details about available options for treatment.

[segment-cta type="value-prop"]
<h2>What Is Klonopin?</h2>
Klonopin, the brand name for clonazepam, is a relatively potent and long-acting <a href="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/benzodiazepine" target="_blank" rel="noopener">benzodiazepine</a>.2 The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) classifies clonazepam and other benzodiazepines as Schedule IV controlled substances, which means they have a lower potential for misuse than drugs in Schedules I, II, and III.3 
<h3>What Is Clonazepam Used For?</h3>
When taken as prescribed, clonazepam, an oral tablet, is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat panic disorders and seizures.4 However, it may be prescribed off-label to treat other conditions, including acute mania, insomnia, and irregular and uncontrollable face and body movements (tardive dyskinesia).2
<h2>How Does Clonazepam Work?</h2>
Like other benzodiazepines, clonazepam works to inhibit excitation within the brain by interacting with and facilitating the action of the inhibitory neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) at its receptors.2,4 Put more simply, clonazepam calms an otherwise overexcited nervous system, specifically resulting in anticonvulsant and anxiolytic (or anti-anxiety) effects.2

[callout title="Other Benzodiazepines &amp; Related Drugs"]
<ul>
 	<li><a href="/xanax-treatment" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Xanax</a></li>
 	<li><a href="/ativan-treatment" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ativan</a></li>
 	<li><a href="/valium-treatment" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Valium</a></li>
 	<li><a href="/ambien-treatment" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ambien</a></li>
 	<li><a href="/halcion-addiction" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Halcion</a></li>
 	<li><a href="/lunesta-treatment" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Lunesta</a></li>
 	<li><a href="/phenibut" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Phenibut</a></li>
</ul>
[/callout]
<h2>Is Clonazepam Addictive?</h2>
While the short-term, therapeutic use of clonazepam is generally considered safe and effective, clonazepam does have the potential for misuse and addiction. Individuals with a history of substance use disorder are at an increased risk for developing a clonazepam addiction.5,6

Additionally, misuse of clonazepam often occurs in conjunction with other substance use. For instance, individuals may use clonazepam (or other benzodiazepines) either to enhance the euphoric effects of opioids and alcohol or to reduce the unwanted <a href="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/klonopin-treatment/side-effects" target="_blank" rel="noopener">side effects</a> associated with stimulant use, such as insomnia.7 Engaging in polysubstance use (the concurrent use of multiple substances) increases the likelihood of adverse effects, overdose, and death.4

Longer-term and higher-dose clonazepam use also increases the risk of an individual developing a physical dependence—the body’s adaptation to having the drug present in the system.8 While dependence is not the same thing as addiction, physical dependence does have the potential to escalate the compulsive use of the substance, a characteristic of addiction.4
<h3>Signs of Clonazepam Misuse and Addiction</h3>
Clinicians use criteria listed in the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) to diagnose benzodiazepine addiction, or sedative use disorder.9 Some of the symptoms, according to this criteria, include:9
<ul>
 	<li>Using clonazepam in higher doses or for longer periods than they intended.</li>
 	<li>Expressing desire or making unsuccessful efforts to cut back or stop their clonazepam use.</li>
 	<li>Spending a lot of time and effort obtaining, using, or recovering from clonazepam.</li>
 	<li>Having a persistent and strong desire, craving, or urge to use clonazepam.</li>
 	<li>Recurring use leads to failure to fulfill responsibilities at school, home, and work.</li>
 	<li>Recurring use of clonazepam despite the ongoing negative impact it has on social interactions and interpersonal relationships.</li>
 	<li>Experiencing withdrawal when stopping or significantly reducing their use of clonazepam—though the presence of withdrawal symptoms does not meet the criteria when an individual takes clonazepam as prescribed.</li>
</ul>
As the loved one of an individual struggling with clonazepam use, it’s helpful to understand the above criteria, however, a formal diagnosis can only be made by a healthcare professional.9
<h2>Clonazepam Withdrawal</h2>
Individuals who become dependent on clonazepam may experience withdrawal symptoms when they suddenly stop or drastically reduce their use after a period of continuous use.9 As listed in the DSM-5, these withdrawal symptoms may include:9

[columns count="2"]
<ul>
 	<li>Hyperactivity of the autonomic nervous system, such as sweating and an increased heart rate.</li>
 	<li>Hand tremors.</li>
 	<li>Sleep disturbances, including insomnia.</li>
 	<li>Vomiting.</li>
 	<li>Nausea.</li>
 	<li>Repetitive, unintentional movements.</li>
 	<li>Anxiety.</li>
 	<li>Short-term auditory, visual, or tactile hallucinations.</li>
 	<li>Grand mal seizures</li>
</ul>
[/columns]

Clonazepam withdrawal, like other benzodiazepines, can be severe—and dangerous—and therefore should not be done without medical input and supervision.10 During medical detox, healthcare professionals may administer tapering doses of a long-acting benzodiazepine to mitigate the risk of seizures and severity of other withdrawal symptoms, as well.10

Medical detox, however, is not typically enough for sustained recovery. It is typically the first step in a more comprehensive treatment plan that addresses all aspects of the substance use and co-occurring mental health disorders, too.11
<h2>Treatment for Clonazepam Addiction</h2>
If you or a loved one struggles with clonazepam misuse or addiction, treatment is available, and as mentioned above, may start with <a href="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/drug-detox">medically managed detoxification</a>, which helps the body rid itself of clonazepam (and other substances). Medical supervision and pharmacological management can help keep you or your loved one safe and as comfortable as possible.10

After detox, you may continue treatment in an <a href="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/rehab-guide/inpatient">inpatient</a> or <a href="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/rehab-guide/outpatient-treatment">outpatient program</a>, depending on the advice and recommendations made by your treatment team and your individual needs. In either scenario, services may include group and individual counseling, behavioral therapy, relapse prevention skills training, and treatment for co-occurring mental health conditions. Additionally, aftercare, following the cessation of formal treatment, may include ongoing counseling and therapy, participation in mutual-help groups, and other interventions to promote and support lasting recovery.11

It is important to remember that not every treatment option is the right fit for everyone.11 Effective treatment addresses the whole person, not just the drug misuse.11

Have additional questions? Call American Addiction Centers [phone]

Let one of our experienced and compassionate Admissions Navigators answer your questions and help you find the option that may be best for you.

[sources]
<ol>
 	<li>National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2018, March). <a href="https://nida.nih.gov/publications/drugfacts/prescription-cns-depressants" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Prescription CNS depressants DrugFacts.</a></li>
 	<li>Basit, H., Kahwaji, C.I. (2022). <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK556010/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Clonazepam.</a> Treasure Island, FL: StatPearls Publishing LLC.</li>
 	<li>Drug Enforcement Administration. (n.d.). <a href="https://www.dea.gov/drug-information/drug-scheduling" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Drug Scheduling</a>.</li>
 	<li>U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2021, February). <a href="https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2021/017533s061lbl.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Klonopin tablets (clonazepam)</a>.</li>
 	<li>Drug Enforcement Administration. (2019, December). <a href="https://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drug_chem_info/benzo.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Benzodiazepines</a>.</li>
 	<li>Schmitz A. (2016). <a href="https://doi.org/10.9740/mhc.2016.05.120" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Benzodiazepine use, misuse, and abuse: A review</a>. The mental health clinician, 6(3), 120–126.</li>
 	<li>Sarangi, A., McMahon, T., &amp; Gude, J. (2021). <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8294026/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Benzodiazepine misuse: an epidemic within a pandemic</a>. Cureus, 13(6), e15816.</li>
 	<li>Lüscher, C. Rudolph, U., &amp; Tan, K. R. (2011). <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4020178/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Hooked on benzodiazepines: GABAA receptor subtypes and addiction</a>. Trends in neurosciences. 34(4): 188–197.</li>
 	<li>American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th). Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Publishing.</li>
 	<li>Center for Substance Abuse Treatment. (2015). <a href="https://store.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/d7/priv/sma15-4131.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Detoxification and substance abuse treatment: A Treatment Improvement Protocol</a>(TIP series, No. 45, HHS Publication No. (SMA) 15-4131).</li>
 	<li>National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2019, January). <a href="https://nida.nih.gov/publications/drugfacts/treatment-approaches-drug-addiction" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Treatment approaches for drug addiction DrugFacts.</a></li>
</ol>
[/sources]

Klonopin Addiction: Signs, Effects, and Treatment

Almost one-third of the population meets the criteria for an alcohol use disorder (AUD) at some point in their lifetime.1 Alcohol is one of the most commonly used drugs in the United States, with approximately 85% of people reporting that they’ve drank alcohol in their lifetime and more than 25% reporting that they’ve engaged in binge drinking (achieving a blood alcohol content level [BAC] of 0.08 g/dL or higher) within the past month.2
<h2>Alcohol and the Brain</h2>
Though alcohol is considered socially acceptable to consume in most parts of the world, heavy alcohol use can prove detrimental to a person’s physical and mental wellbeing and the overall physiological health of their brain. Heavy or long-term alcohol use can result in learning and memory issues and can also eventually lead to the development or exacerbation of mental health conditions.3

[callout-borders borders="top-bottom"]The brain is a delicate and intricate organ that must maintain a careful balance of chemicals, called neurotransmitters, for a person to function properly. Alcohol intoxication can disrupt this fine balance, disturbing the brain’s natural equilibrium, and long-term, chronic use forces a person’s brain to adapt in an effort to compensate for the effects of alcohol.[/callout-borders]

Perhaps one of the most alarming long-term effects of alcohol use on the brain is the potential development of physiological dependence, a state and condition in which a person experiences physical and psychological withdrawal symptoms and cravings if they cease drinking or significantly lower the amount of alcohol in their body.

<img class="wp-image-69172 alignright" src="https://admin.americanaddictioncenters.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/shutterstock_1122712238-300x200.jpg" alt="man holds bottle of alcohol and shot glass" width="347" height="231" />

A person who is dependent on alcohol is at risk of developing an AUD, a brain disease characterized by a struggle to limit drinking, despite significant negative influences on someone’s personal health, relationships, and overall social functioning.6

While some of alcohol’s physical and mental effects fade once someone stops drinking, others may persist for longer periods of time and have long-term health consequences.2

Get in contact with us by filling in our online insurance verification form below. Let us remove the confusion and difficulty of verifying your insurance coverage for treatment. We have years of experience in the addiction space and contracts with many of the big name insurance providers. By providing your name, contact information, and insurance provider, we can communicate directly with your insurance provider to find out if you are in-network with our facilities, the length of stay covered, and more without the hassle of having you contact the company directly. All information is confidential, and there is no obligation to enter treatment.

[vob]
<h2>Short-Term Effects of Alcohol on the Brain</h2>
Alcohol intoxication is a result of short-term effects on the central nervous system with symptoms that can vary drastically depending on how often someone drinks, the amount of alcohol they consume, their unique bodily makeup, and their weight. Symptoms of alcohol intoxication, such as mild cognitive and physical impairment, may become evident after just 1 or 2 drinks, but heavier use can result in alcohol overdose if someone ingests too much alcohol during one sitting.7

The immediate effects of alcohol on the brain are due to its influence on the organ’s communication and information-processing pathways. Unfortunately, drinking too heavily or too rapidly can result in several adverse mental effects, such as confusion, impaired motor coordination, and declined decision-making ability. Continuing drinking despite recognizing signs of this can lead to alcohol overdose, sometimes referred to as “alcohol poisoning.”8

Alcohol poisoning is a dangerous and potentially deadly consequence of drinking large amounts of alcohol in a short amount of time. <a href="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/alcoholism-treatment/overdose" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Alcohol poisoning symptoms</a> may include:8
<ul>
 	<li>Confusion.</li>
 	<li>Seizure.</li>
 	<li>Problems with remaining conscious.</li>
 	<li>Respiratory suppression.</li>
 	<li>Heart rate slowing.</li>
 	<li>Vomiting.</li>
 	<li>Permanent cognitive disruption or impairment.</li>
 	<li>In the worst cases, death.</li>
</ul>
<h2>Long-Term Effects of Alcohol on the Brain</h2>
Those who drink more heavily are at increased risk for adverse alcohol-related complications, especially if they drink excessively over long periods of time.3 Long-term health risks of chronic alcohol use include heart, liver, and digestion problems, cancer, and immune system weakenin as well as mood and sleep disturbances and the development of other mental health problems, including <a href="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/alcoholism-treatment/depression" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">depression</a> and <a href="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/alcoholism-treatment/anxiety" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">anxiety</a>.3

[callout-borders]
Alcohol can inflict lasting harm on your brain and result in shrinkage of the organ's region known as the hippocampus. In one study by the University of Oxford, researchers followed participants for 30 years, tracking their drinking patterns and brain health. Participants in the study who drank 4 or more drinks a day had almost 6 times the risk of hippocampus shrinkage compared to nondrinkers.9 In other words, brain shrinkage was proportional to the amount of alcohol the participants consumed, and even mild and moderate drinkers showed more shrinkage of the hippocampus than those who abstained from alcohol completely.9 [/callout-borders]
<h3>Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome (aka Wet Brain)</h3>
Those who use alcohol excessively and for long periods of time also risk thiamine deficiency as a result of poor nutrition, which may result in the development of <a href="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/alcoholism-treatment/wet-brain" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome</a> (WKS), sometimes referred to as “wet brain.” This condition can cause persisting mental confusion, eye movement disturbances, difficulty with coordination, and persistent learning and memory problems.7
<h2>Development of an Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD)</h2>
Long-term alcohol misuse can also lead to the development of an alcohol use disorder (AUD), which may sometimes be referred to as an “alcohol addiction” or “alcoholism.”An AUD is a compulsive, problematic pattern of alcohol use that persists despite negative consequences to a person’s health, job, and personal relationships. For a mental health professional to diagnose someone with an AUD, a person must meet at least two of the following criteria within a 12-month span:10
<ul>
 	<li>Spending a significant amount of time trying to obtain alcohol.</li>
 	<li>Experiencing cravings for alcohol.</li>
 	<li>Drinking while in situations where it’s dangerous to do so, such as while driving or operating machinery.</li>
 	<li>Continuing to drink despite familial and relationship issues caused by alcohol use.</li>
 	<li>Being unable to fulfill obligations at work, home, or school because of alcohol use.</li>
 	<li>Using higher or more frequent amounts of alcohol than originally intended.</li>
 	<li>Tolerance, or needing higher amounts of alcohol to achieve previous effects.</li>
 	<li>Being unable to cut down on drinking.</li>
 	<li>Continuing to drink despite negative physical or mental health consequences.</li>
 	<li>Avoiding activities that you once enjoyed so you can drink.</li>
 	<li>Experiencing alcohol withdrawal symptoms if you try to stop drinking.</li>
</ul>
[cta button="Get The Brochure" link="https://admin.americanaddictioncenters.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/AAC-General-Brochure-All-pages-VP__2019-compressed.pdf"]Download our brochure to learn more about our approach, treatment offerings, and rehab facilities. [/cta]

[callout]
<h2>Alcohol Consumption in the U.S.</h2>
Alcohol is considered socially acceptable in the United States, and many Americans consume alcohol on a regular basis. Drinking too much, however, can be harmful to your health. Between 2011 and 2015, alcohol abuse was responsible for roughly 95,000 deaths, and excessive alcohol use caused the death of 1 in 10 adults between the ages of 20 and 64.3

The 2018 National Survey on Drug Use and Health reports that 139.8 million Americans aged 12 or older currently drink alcohol, 67.1 million were considered binge drinkers in the past month, and 16.6 million were classified as heavy drinkers.11

The NIAAA defines binge drinking as consuming enough alcohol to raise your BAC to 0.08 g/dl in a single occasion. This generally translates to 4 drinks for women and 5 for men within a period of about 2 hours. 2 Binge drinking can lead to the development of an AUD, and in 2018, 14.1 million adults ages 18 and older were reported to have an AUD.11[/callout]

[segment-cta type="value-prop"]
<h2>What Effects can Alcohol Have on My Mental Health?</h2>
People may experience improved social interaction or general feelings of well-being with moderate alcohol consumption. But it’s important to understand that alcohol use can pose a risk to someone’s mental health, overall mood, and daily cognitive functioning due to its impact on brain chemicals. Alcohol use–especially excessive alcohol use–can exacerbate pre-existing comorbid psychiatric disorders, such as depression and anxiety. In others, alcohol may induce depression and anxiety.13

<img class=" wp-image-22025 alignright" src="https://admin.americanaddictioncenters.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/CNS-depressants-300x202.jpg" alt="Brain Model" width="381" height="256" />

Cognitive effects of alcohol use may include memory loss, problems with learning, dementia, and severely hindered mental functioning in most severe cases.10 Seeking <a href="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/alcoholism-treatment" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">alcohol addiction treatment</a> is the first step in preventing or reducing the <a href="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/alcoholism-treatment/body-effects" target="_blank" rel="noopener">negative effects of alcohol</a> on the brain.

It’s never too late to turn your life around, no matter how dire your situation may feel in the moment. Reach out for help today and get the care you need. By seeking <a href="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/therapy-treatment" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">addiction treatment</a>, you can take back your life and prevent or reduce many of the risks associated with alcohol abuse.
<h2>Frequently Asked Questions Regarding the Mental Effects of Alcohol Use</h2>
[faqs]

[callout]

More about drugs' effects on the brain and body:
<ul>
 	<li><a href="/benzodiazepine/mental-physical-effects" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Benzodiazepines</a></li>
 	<li><a href="/blog/crystal-meth-effect-body" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Crystal Meth</a></li>
 	<li><a href="/ecstasy-abuse/mental-and-physical-effects" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ecstasy</a></li>
 	<li><a href="/heroin-treatment/effects" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Heroin</a></li>
 	<li><a href="/cocaine-treatment/effects-on-the-brain" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Cocaine</a></li>
 	<li><a href="/meth-treatment/effects-on-the-brain-and-cns" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Meth</a></li>
 	<li><a href="/methadone-addiction/effects-on-the-brain-and-body" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Methadone</a></li>
 	<li><a href="/morphine-treatment/mental-and-physical-effects" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Morphine</a></li>
</ul>
[/callout]

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 	<li><a href="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/alcoholism-treatment/how-long-in-system">How Long Does Alcohol Stay In The Bloodstream?</a></li>
 	<li><a href="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/rehab-guide/alcohol-drug-hotline">Drug and Alcohol Addiction Hotlines</a></li>
 	<li><a href="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/am-i-an-alcoholic-quiz">Am I An Alcoholic Quiz</a></li>
 	<li><a href="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/am-i-a-drug-addict-quiz">Am I A Drug Addict Quiz</a></li>
 	<li><a href="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/rehab-guide/free">Finding Free Drug and Alcohol Rehab</a></li>
 	<li><a href="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/insurance-coverage">Insurance for Addiction Rehab</a></li>
 	<li><a href="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/alcohol-rehab/insurance-coverage">Does Insurance Cover Alcohol Rehab?</a></li>
 	<li><a href="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/rehab-guide/state-funded">State-Funded Rehab Centers Near Me</a></li>
 	<li><a href="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/rehab-guide/public-assistance">Grants and Financial Help for Rehab</a></li>
 	<li><a href="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/drug-detox">Locate Detox Centers Near Me</a></li>
</ul>
[/link-bank]

[sources]
<ol>
 	<li>Miller, S. C., Fiellin, D. A., Rosenthal, R. N., &amp; Saitz, R. (2019). The ASAM Principles of Addiction Medicine, Sixth Edition. Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer.</li>
 	<li>National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. (2020). <a href="https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/brochures-and-fact-sheets/alcohol-facts-and-statistics">Alcohol facts and statistics</a>.</li>
 	<li>Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020). <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/fact-sheets/alcohol-use.htm">Alcohol use and your health</a>.</li>
 	<li>Foundation for a Drug-Free World. <a href="https://www.drugfreeworld.org/drugfacts/alcohol.html">The truth about alcohol</a>.</li>
 	<li>S. Department of Health and Human Services; National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. (2009). <a href="https://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/aa77/aa77.pdf">Alcohol Alert</a></li>
 	<li><a href="https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/brochures-and-fact-sheets/understanding-alcohol-use-disorder">National</a> Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. (2018). <a href="https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/brochures-and-fact-sheets/understanding-alcohol-use-disorder">Alcohol Use Disorder.</a></li>
 	<li>National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. (2004). <a href="https://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/aa63/aa63.htm">Alcohol’s Damaging Effect on the Brain</a>.</li>
 	<li>National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. (2020). <a href="https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/brochures-and-fact-sheets/understanding-dangers-of-alcohol-overdose">Understanding the Dangers of Alcohol Abuse.</a></li>
 	<li>Topiwala, A., Allan, C. L., Valkanova, V., Zsoldos, E., Filippini, N., Sexton, C., Mahmood, A., Fooks, P., Singh-Manoux, A., Mackay, C. E., Kivimäki, M., &amp; Ebmeier, K. P. (2017). <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5460586/#idm139655746343536title">Moderate alcohol consumption as risk factor for adverse brain outcomes and cognitive decline: longitudinal cohort study. </a>BMJ (Clinical research ed.), 357, j2353.</li>
 	<li>American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.).</li>
 	<li>Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2019). <a href="https://www.samhsa.gov/data/release/2019-national-survey-drug-use-and-health-nsduh-releases">National Survey on Drug Use and Health.</a></li>
 	<li>Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2019). <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/fact-sheets/binge-drinking.htm">Binge drinking</a>.</li>
 	<li>In Mee-Lee, D., In Shulman, G. D., In Fishman, M., In Gastfriend, D. R., In Miller, M. M., In Provence, S. M., &amp; American Society of Addiction Medicine. (2013). The ASAM criteria: Treatment for addictive, substance-related, and co-occurring conditions.[/sources]</li>
</ol>

Mental Effects of Alcohol: Effects of Alcohol on the Brain

Marijuana Addiction: Effects, Signs and Rehab Treatment

[content-overview]

Often used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and the sleep disorder narcolepsy, Adderall is a prescription amphetamine that can help stimulate improvements in cognition and psychological functioning.1,2 That said, Adderall is extensively abused and has a host of adverse and potential long-term effects.1,3

[/content-overview]

Learn more about Adderall’s impact via this deep dive into Adderall’s myriad effects and the dangers associated with its use.
<h2>What is Adderall?</h2>
Adderall is a potent amphetamine, which is a type of <a href="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/stimulant-drugs" target="_blank" rel="noopener">stimulant</a> that arouses the body’s central nervous system (CNS) into a more wakeful or active state.4 For those with ADHD, a condition with hyperactive-impulsive or inattentive symptoms, Adderall can have the opposite effects. That is, instead of increasingly stimulating patients, Adderall paradoxically allows people with ADHD to become more functional.2

However, as with most <a href="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/prescription-drugs" target="_blank" rel="noopener">prescription drugs</a>, Adderall is intended for use for specific conditions and can cause undesirable or dangerous effects when misused.5 In fact, given to its high potential for misuse, Adderall is classified as a Schedule II drug.6 

Nevertheless, Adderall is sometimes misused by students, athletes, and those who desire an increase in focus, endurance, or productivity.3 In fact, in 2020, 5.1 million people aged 12 or older misused prescription stimulants such as Adderall.7 Those who misuse Adderall and other amphetamines may develop tolerance and dependence, and they may suffer from its many other short- and long-lasting effects.1
<h2>Adverse Effects of Adderall</h2>
Adderall and other <a href="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/amphetamine" target="_blank" rel="noopener">amphetamines</a> can generate physiological effects such as:3
<ul>
 	<li>Increased physical energy.</li>
 	<li>Improved mental aptitude.</li>
 	<li>Hyperexcitability.</li>
 	<li>Mood elevation.</li>
</ul>
However, Adderall also can lead to a variety of dose-dependent effects.3 Some of the more common adverse effects include:3

[columns count="2"]
<ul>
 	<li>Restlessness.</li>
 	<li>Difficulty falling asleep/interrupted sleep.</li>
 	<li>Headaches.</li>
 	<li>Dizziness.</li>
 	<li>Visual changes.</li>
 	<li>Alteration in sexual performance or desire.</li>
 	<li>Constipation, diarrhea.</li>
 	<li>Nausea, vomiting.</li>
 	<li>Hallucinations.</li>
 	<li>Paranoia.</li>
 	<li>Exacerbation of existing mental illnesses.</li>
</ul>
[/columns]

While severe adverse drug reactions are less common, some people may also experience the following:3
<ul>
 	<li>Excessive body temperature.</li>
 	<li>Heart attack.</li>
 	<li>Stroke.</li>
</ul>
<h2>Long-Term Effects of Adderall</h2>
Though Adderall use can help a person attain impressive mental or physical achievements, prolonged use or short-term, high-dose usage can result in a deterioration of cognition or physicality due to its many side effects.3

Chronic central nervous system stimulation from Adderall use can cause potentially long-term effects, including the following:8
<ul>
 	<li>Damage to nerve cells.</li>
 	<li>Seizures.</li>
 	<li>Psychosis.</li>
 	<li>Stroke.</li>
 	<li>Abnormal heart rhythms.</li>
</ul>
<h2>Adderall Interactions and Long-Term Effects</h2>
Whenever you take two or more drugs within a short period of time, this is considered polysubstance use. Particularly when it comes to stimulants such as Adderall, <a href="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/polysubstance-abuse" target="_blank" rel="noopener">polysubstance use</a> can be dangerous.9

According to the <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/stopoverdose/polysubstance-use/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)</a> effects of a drug can be particularly insidious when stimulants such as Adderall are combined with central nervous system depressants (such as <a href="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/alcoholism-treatment" target="_blank" rel="noopener">alcohol</a> or <a href="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/opiates" target="_blank" rel="noopener">opioids</a>). Often, rather than negating the effects of each other, one drug may modify or hide the other drug’s effects without your knowledge. Once the drug’s effects are masked, it’s easier to overdose because your symptoms give you no indication of how much of the drug you’ve taken.9

Mixing two or more stimulants (e.g., Adderall, <a href="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/meth-treatment" target="_blank" rel="noopener">methamphetamines</a>, <a href="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/ecstasy-abuse" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ecstasy</a>, <a href="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/cocaine-treatment/signs" target="_blank" rel="noopener">cocaine</a>, etc.) can also increase your risk of overdose, as the effects may be compounded.9 Combining stimulants may increase your risk of:9 
<ul>
 	<li>Serious brain injury.</li>
 	<li>Damage to the liver.</li>
 	<li>Heart attack.</li>
 	<li>Stroke.</li>
</ul>
<h2>Adderall Overdose</h2>
The toxic side effects of Adderall are rare and minimal in therapeutic doses, but when Adderall is taken at high doses, overdose and severe liver damage can occur.2,5

Signs and symptoms of acute amphetamine intoxication can include:8

[columns count="2"]
<ul>
 	<li>Dry mouth.</li>
 	<li>High temperature.</li>
 	<li>Pupil dilation.</li>
 	<li>Rapid breathing.</li>
 	<li>Heightened energy and attention.</li>
 	<li>Chest pain.</li>
 	<li>Racing heart.</li>
 	<li>Confusion or disorientation.</li>
 	<li>Hyperactivity.</li>
 	<li>Psychotic symptoms.</li>
</ul>
[/columns]

[callout position="right"]
<h3>Immediate Actions for Adderall Overdose</h3>
If you think someone is having an overdose from Adderall or any other drug:10
<ul>
 	<li>Call 911 immediately.</li>
 	<li>Try to keep the person awake and breathing.</li>
 	<li>Turn the person on their side to prevent choking.</li>
 	<li>Stay with the person until help arrives.</li>
</ul>
[/callout]

In the case of an <a href="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/adderall/overdose" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Adderall overdose</a>, the aforementioned signs and symptoms of acute intoxication may be present along with the following:5,8
<ul>
 	<li>Life-threateningly high blood pressure.</li>
 	<li>Rapid heart rate with an abnormal rhythm.</li>
 	<li>Stroke.</li>
 	<li>Aggression or assaultive behavior.</li>
 	<li>Hallucinations.</li>
 	<li>Panic.</li>
 	<li><a href="https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/rhabdo/default.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Rhabdomyolysis</a> (a potentially fatal or disabling condition).</li>
 	<li><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3865832/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Serotonin syndrome</a> (a potentially life-threatening drug reaction).</li>
 	<li>Seizures.</li>
 	<li>Coma.</li>
 	<li>Death.</li>
</ul>
<h2>Treatment for Adderall Addiction</h2>
Due to the way Adderall interacts with the brain, prolonged use can potentially lead to addiction.3 However, <a href="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/disease-of-addiction" target="_blank" rel="noopener">drug addiction is a disease</a> that can be treated via detox, counseling, behavioral therapy, and more.11

Depending on how often, how much, and by what method a person consumes Adderall, stimulant use disorder for amphetamines can develop as quickly as one week after the first exposure. 12 

[quote]Considering its high potential for addiction and dangerous short- and long-lasting side effects, it is important to <a href="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/adderall/how-to-quit" target="_blank" rel="noopener">seek treatment for Adderall addiction</a> as soon as possible.[/quote]

If you or a loved one are experiencing <a href="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/adderall" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Adderall addiction</a>, a professional diagnosis and treatment can help. Treatment typically provides both symptomatic assistance and therapeutic support during detox and regarding withdrawal symptoms. According to the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), people undergoing withdrawal from amphetamines may experience dysphoria or severe depression, which can be treated in a professional treatment setting.12

Since there are no approved medications to assist with stimulant withdrawal directly, current treatment during withdrawal includes:13
<ul>
 	<li>Providing a safe environment to monitor for dangerous medical conditions that can arise.</li>
 	<li>Beginning behavioral therapy for addiction treatment after physical stabilization.</li>
</ul>
Treatment for Adderall addiction is likely to include various behavioral therapies that can help:14
<ul>
 	<li>Change a person’s outlook and behaviors related to drug use.</li>
 	<li>Increase life skills that promote health.</li>
 	<li>Continue with other necessary forms of treatment or life changes.</li>
</ul>
Therapy can be administered in multiple settings.
<ul>
 	<li><a href="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/rehab-guide/inpatient">Inpatient treatment</a> programs that offer 24/7 care may be appropriate in the beginning of recovery for people with severe problems.14</li>
 	<li><a href="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/rehab-guide/outpatient-treatment">Outpatient treatment</a> programs come in a wide variety of intensity and scheduling depending on a person’s recovery needs.14</li>
</ul>
Located throughout the United States, American Addiction Centers’ accredited facilities offer treatment for Adderall addiction, <a href="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/polysubstance-abuse" target="_blank" rel="noopener">polysubstance addiction</a>, and other <a href="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/co-occurring-disorders" target="_blank" rel="noopener">co-occurring mental health disorders</a>. Contact our Admissions Navigators to learn more about treatment options and facilities near you.
[button url="/treatment-centers" text="View Our Treatment Centers"]
[phone]Call Us Today![/phone] 
[sources]

Sources
<ol>
 	<li><a href="https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=f22635fe-821d-4cde-aa12-419f8b53db81" target="_blank" rel="noopener">DailyMed - Adderall.</a> (2022 February 27). U.S. National Library of Medicine. National Institutes of Health.</li>
 	<li>Bethesda (MD): National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. (2012). <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK548941/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">LiverTox: Clinical and research information on drug-induced liver injury</a>.</li>
 	<li>Kerna, N.A., Flores, J.V., Holets, H.M., Nwokorie, U., Pruitt, K.D., Solomon, E., &amp; Kadivi, K. (2020, November 30). <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/publication/346784016_Adderall_On_the_Razor's_Edge_of_ADHD_Treatment_Enhanced_Academic_and_Physical_Performance_Addiction_Psychosis_and_Death" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Adderall: on the razor’s edge of ADHD treatment, enhanced academic and physical performance, addiction, psychosis, and death</a>. EC Psychology and Psychiatry.</li>
 	<li>Siefried, K.J., Acheson, L.S., Lintzeris, N., &amp; Ezard, N. (2020). <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7125061/pdf/40263_2020_Article_711.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Pharmacological treatment of methamphetamine/amphetamine dependence: a systematic review</a>. CNS Drugs. 34, 337-365.</li>
 	<li>Food and Drug Administration. (2007, March). <a href="https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2007/011522s040lbl.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Adderall (CII).</a></li>
 	<li>Drug Enforcement Administration. (2020). <a href="https://www.dea.gov/sites/default/files/2020-04/Drugs%20of%20Abuse%202020-Web%20Version-508%20compliant-4-24-20_0.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A DEA resource guide: drugs of abuse.</a></li>
 	<li>Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality. (2021). <a href="https://www.samhsa.gov/data/sites/default/files/reports/rpt35325/NSDUHFFRPDFWHTMLFiles2020/2020NSDUHFFR1PDFW102121.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Key substance use and mental health indicators in the United States: Results from the 2020 National Survey on Drug Use and Health</a>. (HHS Publication No. PEP21-07-01-003, NSDUH Series H-56). Rockville, MD.</li>
 	<li>Vasan, S. &amp; Olango, G.J. (2022). <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470276/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Amphetamine toxicity</a>. StatPearls Publishing.</li>
 	<li>Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022). <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/stopoverdose/polysubstance-use/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Polysubstance use facts</a></li>
 	<li>Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022, September 7). <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/stopoverdose/naloxone/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Lifesaving naloxone</a>.</li>
 	<li>National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2011, October). <a href="https://nida.nih.gov/sites/default/files/rxreportfinalprint.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Prescription drug abuse.</a></li>
 	<li>American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th edition).</li>
 	<li>Center for Substance Abuse Treatment. Detoxification and Substance Abuse Treatment. (2006). <a href="https://store.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/d7/priv/sma15-4131.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Treatment improvement protocol (TIP) series, no. 45</a>. HHS Publication No. (SMA) 15-4131. Rockville, MD.</li>
 	<li>National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2019, January 17). <a href="https://nida.nih.gov/publications/drugfacts/treatment-approaches-drug-addiction" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Treatment approaches for drug addiction DrugFacts</a>.</li>
</ol>
[/sources]

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&nbsp;

Adderall Effects, Risks, and Dangers: Short and Long Term

<a href="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/oxycontin-treatment">Oxycodone</a> is a prescription <a href="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/opiates">opioid</a> painkiller often used to treat severe pain; however, it also has a high potential for misuse and addiction. People that take oxycodone consistently or misuse oxycodone are at high risk for withdrawal symptoms when they suddenly quit taking it or drastically reduce their use.1

This page will discuss what causes oxycodone withdrawal, the symptoms of withdrawal from oxycodone, the expected duration and severity of withdrawal, and options for oxycodone detox and rehabilitation.
<h2>Causes of Oxycodone Withdrawal</h2>
<img class="alignright wp-image-79234 size-medium" src="https://admin.americanaddictioncenters.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/shutterstock_1103094848-3-300x200.jpg" alt="Man in detox experiencing withdrawal from oxycodone" width="300" height="200" />

Oftentimes, when people <a href="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/oxycodone/signs-of-abuse">use oxycodone</a> over extended periods of time, they will build a physical dependence to the opioid. Dependence is a physiological adaptation of the body to a substance, wherein the body becomes so used to the drug being present in the system that when the individual cuts back on their use or quits, withdrawal symptoms emerge. With significant levels of physiological dependence, a person may continue to compulsively use oxycodone to avoid unwanted withdrawal symptoms.1

Withdrawal is associated with various physiological reactions in the body. Symptoms of oxycodone withdrawal can be mild, moderate, or severe but rarely life-threatening.1,2

Just because someone is physically dependent on oxycodone does not mean they are addicted, as people using oxycodone for legitimate medical reasons may experience withdrawal when they go off the medication.3
<h2>Oxycodone Withdrawal Symptoms</h2>
Though the intensity and type of <a href="/withdrawal-timelines-treatments">drug withdrawal</a> symptoms a person may experience during oxycodone withdrawal will vary from one person to another, the most common oxycodone symptoms include:2,4
<ul class="ul1">
 	<li class="li1">Cravings.</li>
 	<li class="li1">Anxiety.</li>
 	<li class="li1">Stomach cramps and/or diarrhea.</li>
 	<li class="li1">Muscle aches.</li>
 	<li class="li1">Sleep disturbances.</li>
 	<li class="li1">Fast heartbeat.</li>
 	<li class="li1">High blood pressure.</li>
 	<li class="li1">Nausea.</li>
 	<li class="li1">Vomiting.</li>
</ul>
Relapse occurs when an individual returns to oxycodone use after they  have gone through withdrawal. Cravings are one of the main driving factors in relapse.9 Therefore, controlling cravings during withdrawal is crucial to avoid relapse.9

Relapse can be  especially dangerous because the period of abstinence during the withdrawal phase will likely result in a loss of tolerance (only a little bit will have a huge effect on the body), putting someone at an increased risk of overdose.5
<h2>Oxycodone Withdrawal Timeline</h2>
The timeline for oxycodone withdrawal can be impacted by numerous factors, such as:2
<ul>
 	<li>The length of time someone has been using the drug.</li>
 	<li>The dosage of oxycodone they have been taking.</li>
 	<li>How frequently someone has been taking oxycodone.</li>
 	<li>If they have been using other substances alongside oxycodone (e.g., alcohol, benzodiazepines, methamphetamine).</li>
</ul>
Oxycodone is what is known as a long-acting opioid, which impacts the length of time an opioid stays in the body.6 Oxycodone will typically result in withdrawal symptoms beginning up to 36 hours after the last use, and peaking around day 3 to 4.7

In some cases, people may experience chronic oxycodone withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms differ in people and may not occur all the time. Some of these symptoms include:8
<ul>
 	<li class="li1">Depression.</li>
 	<li class="li1">Irritability.</li>
 	<li class="li1">Anxiety.</li>
 	<li class="li1">Issues with learning and memory.</li>
 	<li class="li1">Obsessive-compulsive behaviors.</li>
 	<li class="li1">Sleep problems.</li>
 	<li class="li1">Feeling apathetic.</li>
 	<li class="li1">Intense cravings for opioids.</li>
 	<li class="li1">Increased difficulty handling stress.</li>
</ul>
Detoxing from oxycodone in a medically managed treatment program, mitigates cravings and other withdrawal symptoms when they are most severe, allowing patients to address the underlying problems contributing to their opioid use disorder.2

American Addiction Centers’ (AAC) facilities located all over the country provide medical detox and may offer a variety of other types of addiction treatment, including inpatient treatment, outpatient care, sober living homes, aftercare planning, and more. These services are designed to help patients not only safely withdraw from dependence to drugs like oxycodone, but also build the necessary skills to achieve lasting recovery.

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 	<li><a href="/treatment-centers/oxford">Mississippi Rehab Center</a></li>
 	<li><a href="/treatment-centers/sunrise-house">New Jersey Rehab Center</a></li>
 	<li><a href="/treatment-centers/adcare-rhode-island">Rhode Island Rehab Center</a></li>
 	<li><a href="/treatment-centers/greenhouse">Texas Rehab Center</a></li>
 	<li>Locations Nationwide: <a href="/treatment-centers/resolutions">Resolutions Recovery Residences</a></li>
</ul>
[/columns]
[button-color color="orange" link="/treatment-centers" width='auto']Compare Our Treatment Centers[/button-color]
[/callout]
<h2>Oxycodone Detox</h2>
Medical detox is a process by which a person goes through withdrawal under the supervision of medical professionals.2 Detox—while often crucial—is only the first stage of treatment to stop the use of oxycodone. People typically need continued care to address the psychological and social conditions that contribute to their opioid use disorder (OUD).2,10

In general, <a href="/drug-detox">drug detoxification</a> involves 3 phases:2
<ul>
 	<li>Evaluation, where a person undergoes a full assessment to determine their treatment needs, including the presence of other physical or mental disorders that may need monitoring or treatment.</li>
 	<li>Stabilization, which involves monitoring the patient’s symptoms, administering medication when necessary, and orienting a person to the idea of further treatment.</li>
 	<li>Fostering a person’s entry into treatment. This involves working with a patient to ensure that they understand the need for treatment beyond detox and facilitating entry in a rehab program.</li>
</ul>
Detox programs vary in length based on individual needs, but the average stay is about 7 days.2
<h2>Oxycodone Addiction Treatment</h2>
After detox, it is important to continue treatment to help address the underlying issues that led to oxycodone misuse, as well as give you the tools to deal with triggers and avoid relapse after treatment ends.2,10

Ongoing treatment for oxycodone addiction can involve <a href="/rehab-guide/inpatient">inpatient treatment</a>, where patients live at the facility for the duration of care, or it can occur on an <a href="/rehab-guide/outpatient-treatment">outpatient</a> basis where patients visit the facility for treatment several times a week. The frequency and length of time these visits last vary based on the patient’s needs.11

Treatment for oxycodone misuse typically will include various forms of behavioral therapy, including, but not limited to:12,13,14
<ul>
 	<li><a href="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/therapy-treatment/cognitive-behavioral-therapy">Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT).</a> CBT can help people identify patterns of thinking that can lead to drug use and replace these patterns with positive coping strategies.</li>
 	<li>Contingency management, which uses rewards to incentivize meeting recovery goals.</li>
 	<li><a href="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/therapy-treatment/family-therapy">Family behavior therapy</a>, which engages the patient’s family in their recovery by helping them understand and apply the behavioral strategies learned in therapy sessions, and by setting and executing goals.</li>
</ul>
Treatment for opioid use disorder also often utilizes medication during detox, rehab, and on a long-term basis. Medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) work by reducing cravings and withdrawal symptoms without eliciting the euphoric high that drugs like oxycodone or heroin yield.15
<h3>Oxycodone Withdrawal Medications</h3>
<img class="alignright wp-image-78233 size-medium" src="https://admin.americanaddictioncenters.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/shutterstock_731147215-1-300x188.jpg" alt="doctor going over medications prescribed for oxycodone withdrawal" width="300" height="188" />

Medications specifically approved for treating opioid use disorder (OUD) reduce withdrawal and cravings, helping patients focus on behavioral therapy and daily functioning. These medications include the opioid agonist methadone, and the partial opioid agonist buprenorphine.2,7,15

In addition to mitigating withdrawal and cravings, these drugs also blunt the effects of misused opioids, discouraging relapse.7 It is common for patients to remain on these medications for months or even years in recovery.15

Other medications often administered during withdrawal include sleep aids to lessen insomnia or acetaminophen to deal with body aches or headaches.2
<h2>Recovery from Oxycodone Addiction</h2>
There is plenty of evidence that treatment for substance use disorders is effective. However, many people can have a high likelihood of relapse after treatment. It is important to understand that relapse does not necessarily mean failure.17 Relapse may just mean that someone needs to reenter treatment or modify the treatment that they have been receiving.10,17

There are many factors that influence treatment outcomes, for example:
<ul>
 	<li>Staying in treatment for an adequate length of time is one of the most critical components of recovery: A short period of detox, on its own, is not particularly effective in helping someone stay in recovery for long periods of time.2,15,17</li>
 	<li>Some studies indicate the use of medication for opioid use disorder can improve treatment retention and subsequently improve treatment outcomes.18</li>
 	<li>Comprehensive treatment for people struggling with addiction and co-occurring disorders has proven to be generally more effective in helping patients recover from these conditions than treating them separately.10</li>
 	<li>Individualized treatment and continual assessment and modification of treatment approaches is critical for patients’ success in long-term recovery. Patients often go through multiple levels of care (e.g., inpatient treatment, outpatient rehab, <a href="/sober-living">sober living</a>) as their needs evolve.10</li>
</ul>
One study published in the <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7547872/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Journal of Addiction Medicine</a> indicated that around 50% of participants in a trial using month-long acting buprenorphine were able to maintain recovery from opioid use for at least 12 months.19

Although recovery from oxycodone and other types of opioid addiction is challenging, there is hope, as many people successfully get sober and sustain recovery.13 Addiction of any kind is not cured, but rather it can be managed, enabling people to live normal and fulfilling lives without the use of substances.17

If you or someone you love has an oxycodone addiction, please call [phone] for more information about rehabilitation options at American Addiction Centers’ (AAC) facilities, using insurance to pay for rehab, and more.

[link-bank title="You Might Also Be Interested In"]
<ul>
 	<li><a href="/rehab-guide/overcoming-addiction">Overcoming Addiction</a></li>
 	<li><a href="/am-i-a-drug-addict-quiz">Am I a Drug Addict Quiz</a></li>
 	<li><a href="/drug-detox">Drug Detox Programs</a></li>
 	<li><a href="/oxycodone/signs-of-abuse">Signs of Oxycodone Abuse</a></li>
 	<li><a href="/oxycodone/side-effects">Side Effects of Oxycodone Use</a></li>
 	<li><a href="/drug-detox/same-day-admittance">Same Day Rehab Centers</a></li>
 	<li><a href="/insurance-coverage/using-medicaid-to-pay-for-rehab">Using Medicaid for Rehab</a></li>
</ul>
[/link-bank]

[sources]
<ol class="ol1">
 	<li class="li1">National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2021, June 1). <a href="https://nida.nih.gov/publications/drugfacts/prescription-opioids" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Prescription opioids drugfacts</a>.</li>
 	<li class="li2">Center for Substance Abuse Treatment. (2015). <a href="https://store.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/d7/priv/sma15-4131.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Detoxification and Substance Abuse Treatment</a>. Treatment Improvement Protocol (TIP) Series, No. 45. Rockville, MD: Center for Substance Abuse Treatment.</li>
 	<li class="li3">Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders: DSM-5. (5th ed.). (2013). Washington, D.C.: American Psychiatric Association.</li>
 	<li class="li3">U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2021, October 27). <a href="https://www.hhs.gov/opioids/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">What is the U.S. opioid epidemic?</a></li>
 	<li class="li3">Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2018). <a href="https://store.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/d7/priv/sma18-4742.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Opioid overdose prevention toolkit</a>. HHS Publication No. (SMA) 18 4742. </li>
 	<li class="li3">National Institute on Drug Abuse. (n.d.) <a href="https://nida.nih.gov/sites/default/files/CommonlyUsedLAOpioids.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Commonly used long-acting opioids chart.</a></li>
 	<li class="li3">Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2021). <a href="https://store.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/SAMHSA_Digital_Download/PEP21-02-01-002.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">TIP 63: Medications for Opioid Use Disorder.</a></li>
 	<li class="li3">Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior. (n.d.). <a href="https://www.semel.ucla.edu/dual-diagnosis-program/News_and_Resources/PAWS">Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome (PAWS)</a>.</li>
 	<li class="li3">Kakko, J., Alho, H., Baldacchino, A., Molina, R., Nava, F. A., &amp; Shaya, G. (2019). <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00592/full" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Craving in opioid use disorder: from neurobiology to clinical practice.</a> Frontiers in Psychiatry, 592.</li>
 	<li class="li3">National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2020, September 18). <a href="https://nida.nih.gov/sites/default/files/675-principles-of-drug-addiction-treatment-a-research-based-guide-third-edition.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Principles of effective treatment</a>.</li>
 	<li class="li3">National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2019, January 17). <a href="https://nida.nih.gov/publications/drugfacts/treatment-approaches-drug-addiction" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Treatment approaches for drug addiction: drugfacts.</a></li>
 	<li class="li4">National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2020, June 1). <a href="https://nida.nih.gov/sites/default/files/675-principles-of-drug-addiction-treatment-a-research-based-guide-third-edition.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Cognitive-behavioral therapy (alcohol, marijuana, cocaine, methamphetamine, nicotine)</a>.</li>
 	<li class="li4">National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2020, June 1). <a href="https://nida.nih.gov/sites/default/files/675-principles-of-drug-addiction-treatment-a-research-based-guide-third-edition.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Contingency management interventions/motivational incentives (alcohol, stimulants, opioids, marijuana, nicotine)</a>.</li>
 	<li class="li3">National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2020, June 1). <a href="https://nida.nih.gov/sites/default/files/675-principles-of-drug-addiction-treatment-a-research-based-guide-third-edition.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Family behavior therapy</a>.</li>
 	<li class="li3">Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.(2022, March 30). <a href="https://www.samhsa.gov/medication-assisted-treatment" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Medication-assisted treatment.</a></li>
 	<li class="li4">Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022). <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/drugoverdose/pdf/pubs/linkage-to-care_edited-pdf_508-3-15-2022.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Linking people with opioid use disorder to medication treatment: a technical package of policy, programs, and practices</a>.</li>
 	<li class="li5">National Institute on Drug Abuse, (2022, March 22). <a href="https://nida.nih.gov/publications/drugs-brains-behavior-science-addiction/treatment-recovery" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Treatment and recovery.</a></li>
 	<li class="li3">National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine; Health and Medicine Division; Board on Health Sciences Policy; Committee on Medication-Assisted Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder. (2019 March 30). Medications for Opioid Use Disorder Save Lives: <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK541393/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Effectiveness of Medication-Based Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder</a>. Washington (DC): National Academies Press.</li>
 	<li class="li4">Aldridge, A. P., Chilcoat, H., Heidbreder, C. Ling, W., Nadipelli, V. R., &amp; Ronquest, N. A. (2020). <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7547872/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Recovery from opioid use disorder (OUD) after monthly long-acting buprenorphine treatment: 12-month longitudinal outcomes from RECOVER, an observational study</a>. Journal of addiction medicine. 14(5): e233.</li>
</ol>
[/sources]

Oxycodone Withdrawal Symptoms, Timeline & Detox Treatment

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<h2 class="bg-white2 text-center lg-pad-top border">Can Drug Withdrawal Cause Death?</h2>
</div>
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<div class="bg-white border sm-pad-all" data-equalizer-watch="">
While it is true that unassisted withdrawal from some substances, such as alcohol and benzodiazepines, can be deadly, professional treatment provided in <a href="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/drug-detox" target="_blank" rel="noopener">medical detox programs</a> can reduce that risk.1 With the proper medical attention and management, withdrawal symptoms can be controlled or mostly eliminated.2

</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>

A common question about drug and alcohol rehab and detox focuses on whether the withdrawal process can cause death.

</div>
There's a lot of conflicting information about what types of substances can bring dangerous or deadly <a href="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/withdrawal-timelines-treatments" target="_blank" rel="noopener">withdrawal symptoms</a>. Often, individuals and their loved ones struggling with addiction can be manipulated through fear or lulled into complacency by a lack of accurate information on the dangers and risks of drug withdrawal.

The truth of the matter is somewhat in between. Depending on the situation, withdrawal from some substances can be deadly.1 Still, with professional treatment through medical detox and other supporting therapies, counseling, and education, the risks of withdrawal can be controlled to keep individuals safe and as comfortable as possible through the detox process.

[vob]

<a name="Withdrawal Symptoms"></a>
<h2>Withdrawal Symptoms by Substance</h2>
Withdrawal symptoms vary by the substance and the severity of the dependence.2 Three substances that produce uncomfortable and sometimes dangerous withdrawal symptoms include alcohol, benzodiazepines, and opioids.3
<h3>Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms</h3>
When an individual, who has chronically misused alcohol, suddenly stops or drastically reduces their intake, they can experience a combination of withdrawal symptoms—both physical and emotional—that can range from mild to severe, and in rare cases, can be life-threatening.2 These symptoms may include:2
<ul>
 	<li>Anxiety.</li>
 	<li>Excessive sweating.</li>
 	<li>Hand tremors.</li>
 	<li>Dehydration.</li>
 	<li>Increased heart rate.</li>
 	<li>Elevated blood pressure.</li>
 	<li>Insomnia.</li>
 	<li>Nausea and vomiting.</li>
 	<li>Diarrhea.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Benzodiazepine Withdrawal Symptoms</h3>
Benzodiazepines are central nervous system (CNS) depressants used to treat anxiety, seizures, and sleeping disorders. Those who take them for extended periods or at higher doses can become dependent on them. When they stop taking benzodiazepines, withdrawal symptoms may appear, including:2
<ul>
 	<li>Anxiety.</li>
 	<li>Insomnia.</li>
 	<li>Restlessness.</li>
 	<li>Agitation and irritability.</li>
 	<li>Memory and concentration problems.</li>
 	<li>Muscle aches and pain.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Opioid Withdrawal Symptoms</h3>
Opioids include highly addictive substances such as heroin, morphine, and oxycodone, among others. When an individual abruptly stops taking opioids, they can experience withdrawal symptoms, that while not life-threatening, can be extremely uncomfortable.2 Symptoms include:
<ul>
 	<li>Nausea and vomiting.</li>
 	<li>Anxiety.</li>
 	<li>Insomnia.</li>
 	<li>Hot flashes.</li>
 	<li>Cold flushes.</li>
 	<li>Sweating.</li>
 	<li>Muscle cramps.</li>
 	<li>Runny nose and eyes.</li>
 	<li>Diarrhea.</li>
</ul>
<a name="When Drug Withdrawal Can Be Deadly"></a>
<h2>When Drug Withdrawal Can Be Deadly</h2>
Withdrawal from alcohol, opiates, and benzodiazepines can also bring increased risks.2 As a result, clinicians recommend hospitalization or another acute setting that avails 24/7 medical care for safety and general humanitarian concerns regarding comfort.1 Attempting a cold-turkey or at-home detox from alcohol, opiates, or benzos can be dangerous and even life-threatening.1

[segment-cta type="value-prop"]
<h3>Alcohol Withdrawal</h3>
In addition to the <a href="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/withdrawal-timelines-treatments/alcohol" target="_blank" rel="noopener">alcohol withdrawal symptoms</a> mentioned above, severe withdrawal from alcohol may include complications such as:2
<ul>
 	<li>Seizures.</li>
 	<li>Hallucinations.</li>
 	<li>Body temperature fluctuations.</li>
 	<li>Extreme irritability.</li>
 	<li><a href="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/alcoholism-treatment/delirium-tremens-symptoms-and-treatment" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Delirium tremens (DTs)</a></li>
</ul>
<div class="row bg-dkblue pad-all">
<h4 class="large-6 columns">Can You Die from Alcohol Withdrawals?</h4>
</div>
The more serious symptoms of seizures and delirium tremens (DTs) can result in death.2 Research indicates that up to 33% of patients who have an alcohol use disorder, the medical term for alcohol addiction, being treated in hospital intensive care units (ICUs), emergency departments (EDs), and critical care units (CCUs), progress to DTs.4

When people, who are struggling with alcohol, withdraw in a medical detox program, the body rids itself of alcohol and other toxins safely and as comfortably as possible. Around-the-clock care also lessens the likelihood that more serious symptoms develop or lead to death.4
<h3>Benzodiazepine Withdrawal</h3>
The cessation of chronic benzodiazepine use can cause seizures—which can occur without being preceded by other withdrawal symptoms—and rhabdomyolysis, a condition that can be life-threatening, where damaged muscle tissue releases proteins and electrolytes into the bloodstream and can potentially lead to kidney failure.3 Because the severity of benzodiazepine withdrawal symptoms can fluctuate drastically, regular monitoring is advised as individuals safely withdraw from the substance.2 
<h3>Opiate Withdrawal</h3>
While <a href="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/withdrawal-timelines-treatments/opiate" target="_blank" rel="noopener">opiate withdrawal symptoms</a> can be extremely uncomfortable, they are typically not life-threatening. What can be dangerous, however, is the risk of relapse. Studies indicate that individuals with opioid use disorder, who follow detoxification with complete abstinence from the substance without using medications can have a high likelihood of relapse.5 Relapse rates can potentially be decreased if individuals in recovery from opioid use disorder use prescribed medications to reduce the lingering withdrawal symptoms and cravings with long-term therapy.5

Another danger for those experiencing opioid withdrawal symptoms is the promise that some outpatient clinics make for "rapid drug detoxification." This questionable practice is an anesthesia-assisted opioid detox that uses a combination of sedation and medication to remove opioids from the body.6 However, a number of case reports found adverse effects following rapid detoxification in some individuals.7 Additionally, research indicates that this form of treatment is not effective for long-term recovery, and it is more likely to result in relapse.6

Instead, medically managed detox, followed by a formal treatment program that uses evidence-based therapies, individual and group counseling, education, and medication is more likely to result in safe recovery and long-term abstinence from the drug.8

<a name="Risks from Multiple Addictions"></a>
<h2>Risk of Polysubstance Addiction</h2>
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<div class="small-6 large-6 columns">

The aforementioned detox risks multiply with polysubstance (the use of more than one substance) misuse.1 When multiple drugs are involved, withdrawal management may become more complicated. For example, when a person withdraws from one substance, clinicians can predict with pretty good accuracy the symptoms they may encounter.1 When more than one substance is involved, that's not the case. In a supervised detoxification environment, such as an inpatient or residential facility, an individual can receive immediate care for unexpected symptoms should they arise.1

</div>
<div class="small-6 large-6 columns">

Additionally, during managed withdrawal, healthcare professionals prioritize each substance and address the most serious withdrawal symptoms first.1

</div>
</div>
<a name="Relapse and Overdose"></a>
<div class="panel-block bg-blue pad-all text-white">
<h2>The Risk Relapse and Overdose</h2>
The potential for relapse constitutes another risk of drug withdrawal. During the withdrawal process, tolerance to the addictive substance lowers significantly; however, the habitual cravings often remain the same. This means that what would have been a tolerable dose before detox becomes an overdose risk afterwards.5

This is a major risk with opiates.5 In this case, an overdose of heroin or prescription opiate drugs <a href="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/health-complications-addiction/respiratory-system" target="_blank" rel="noopener">can interfere with the respiratory system and cause a person to stop breathing</a>. More than 75,000 people in the United States died as a result of an opioid overdose during the 12-month period from April 2020 to April 2021.9
<div class="hide">
<div id="lbox-content">

Relapse danger is complicated further if there are multiple relapses, as withdrawal symptoms can become worse with each successive detox, increasing the chance that a more severe reaction will occur.1 This is true in alcohol withdrawal, where several factors impact the severity of the withdrawal, including the number of previously treated and untreated withdrawal episodes.1 

Based on this, methods of detox that are more likely to result in relapse are also more likely to result in medical complications or even death. Methods such as the anesthesia-assisted detox mentioned above and quitting cold turkey don't provide the support that is more likely to result in long-term recovery. One study found that individuals with alcohol use disorders, who quit on their own, were less likely to achieve 3-year remission than individuals who received treatment.10

An inpatient treatment program provides tools and support to help individuals avoid relapse and maintain long-term recovery.8

</div>
</div>
</div>
<a name="Diminishing Deadly Risk"></a>
<h2>Safely Treating Addiction and Withdrawal</h2>
The safe, compassionate methods used during inpatient detox helps an individual rid their body of the substance, but detox is only the first step in a more comprehensive treatment plan.8 A complete addiction treatment program focuses on helping an individual get to the root of their addiction by addressing the thoughts, emotions, and behaviors that led to substance misuse. Through evidence-based therapies and counseling, individuals learn coping strategies.8

The most effective treatment tailors the treatment plan and services to meet the needs of the individual, addressing the substance misuse and any other issues, including <a href="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/co-occurring-disorders" target="_blank" rel="noopener">co-occurring disorders</a> to help individuals find and maintain long-term recovery.8

[link-bank title="You Might Also Be Interested In"]
<ul>
 	<li><a href="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/alcoholism-treatment/mental-effects" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Long Term Effects of Alcoholism</a></li>
 	<li><a href="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/alcoholism-treatment/overdose" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Signs of Alcohol Overdose</a></li>
 	<li><a href="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/prescription-drugs/opiate-overdose" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Signs of an Opiate Overdose</a></li>
 	<li><a href="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/benzodiazepine/overdose" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Signs of a Benzodiazepine Overdose</a></li>
 	<li><a href="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/rehab-guide/alcohol-drug-hotline" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Addiction Hotlines</a></li>
 	<li><a href="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/drug-detox/free-centers" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Free Drug Detox</a></li>
 	<li><a href="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/drug-detox/same-day-admittance" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Emergency Drug Detox</a></li>
 	<li><a href="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/rehab-guide/outpatient-treatment" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Outpatient Drug Programs</a></li>
 	<li><a href="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/rehab-guide/state-funded" target="_blank" rel="noopener">State Funded Rehab</a></li>
 	<li><a href="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/rehab-guide/couples" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Couple's Rehab Options</a></li>
</ul>
[/link-bank]

[sources]
<ol>
 	<li>Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2006). <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK64115/pdf/Bookshelf_NBK64115.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Detoxification and Substance Abuse Treatment: Treatment Improvement Protocol (TIP) 45</a>.</li>
 	<li><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK310652/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Clinical Guidelines for Withdrawal Management and Treatment of Drug Dependence in Closed Settings</a>. Geneva: World Health Organization, 4, Withdrawal Management.</li>
 	<li>Gupta M, Gokarakonda SB, Attia FN. (2022). <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK459239/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Withdrawal Syndromes</a>. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing.</li>
 	<li>Elliott, D.Y. (2019). <a href="https://journals.lww.com/nursingcriticalcare/fulltext/2019/09000/caring_for_hospitalized_patients_with_alcohol.3.aspx" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Caring for hospitalized patients with alcohol withdrawal syndrome</a>. Nursing Critical Care, 14(5), 18-30.</li>
 	<li>National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2021). <a href="https://nida.nih.gov/download/21349/medications-to-treat-opioid-use-disorder-research-report.pdf?v=99088f7584dac93ddcfa98648065bfbe" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Medications to Treat Opioid Use Disorder Research Report</a>.</li>
 	<li>Collins ED, Kleber HD, Whittington RA, Heitler NE. (2005). <a href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/201451" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Anesthesia-Assisted vs Buprenorphine- or Clonidine-Assisted Heroin Detoxification and Naltrexone Induction: A Randomized Trial</a>. JAMA, 294(8):903–913.</li>
 	<li>Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2013). <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6238a1.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Deaths and Severe Adverse Events Associated with Anesthesia-Assisted Rapid Opioid Detoxification—New York City, 2012</a>.</li>
 	<li>National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2020). <a href="https://nida.nih.gov/sites/default/files/675-principles-of-drug-addiction-treatment-a-research-based-guide-third-edition.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Principles of Effective Treatment</a>.</li>
 	<li>Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/pressroom/nchs_press_releases/2021/20211117.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Drug Overdose Deaths in the U.S. Top 100,000 Annually</a>.</li>
 	<li>Moos RH, Moos BS. (2006). <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1976118/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Rates and predictors of relapse after natural and treated remission from alcohol use disorders</a>. Addiction, 101(2), 212-22.</li>
</ol>
[/sources]

Can You Die From Drug or Alcohol Withdrawals?

<h2>What is Residential Alcohol Rehab?</h2>
Residential alcohol rehab is an <a href="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/rehab-guide/inpatient" target="_blank" rel="noopener">inpatient treatment program</a> that is appropriate for people who are struggling with severe substance use disorders, mental health disorders, or both.1 Residential alcohol rehab is important to maintain long-term sobriety and provides you with continuing care options upon discharge to promote long-lasting recovery.

Residential rehab:1
<ul>
 	<li>Offers care 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.</li>
 	<li>Provides structured and scheduled counseling and therapy sessions and other activities in a supervised therapeutic environment.</li>
 	<li>Provides safe and secure housing.</li>
 	<li>Offers medical care.</li>
 	<li>Implements therapeutic interventions aimed at helping you live an alcohol- and drug-free life.</li>
 	<li>Can help you identify additional services such as case management, therapy, housing, and assistance with legal issues upon discharge.</li>
</ul>
The ultimate goal of residential alcohol rehab is to help you learn strategies to live a life without alcohol and other drugs and create a lifestyle that is free from crime.1 Residential rehab, due to its structured nature, can help you focus on your recovery in a safe, controlled environment without the distractions and triggers of your everyday life.

Residential rehab provides the 24-hour, seven-day focus that can help people detox safely under medical supervision, learn to manage their addiction without distraction or temptation, and build a toolbox to support their new skills once they leave rehab.
<h2>What is the Difference Between Inpatient and Residential Treatment?</h2>
Inpatient and residential rehab are often used interchangeably. That is because both types of treatment involve highly structured and intensive treatment in a controlled environment. However, differences between the two include length of time, focus, and intensity of services. Residential treatment requires living day-to-day life in a designated community facility; focusing on learning how to live a life free from substances, and addressing underlying contributors to addiction.2

Inpatient treatment refers to a medically managed level of care, including the services of doctors and nurses to treat severe medical and psychological problems that arise. Counseling is available but the goal is medical stabilization and assessment for substance use treatment.3
<h2>Types of Residential Alcohol Rehab</h2>
There are different types of residential alcohol rehabilitation programs. The differences among the types of programs are based on length of time, focus of treatment, and services offered. Long-term residential, short-term residential, and recovery housing are different residential treatment setting options available to you. While the ultimate goal for each residential setting is to sustain sobriety and begin a successful life in recovery, there are some differences.
<h3>Long-Term Residential Treatment</h3>
In long-term residential treatment:1,2
<ul>
 	<li>The focus of treatment is on resocialization: Learning how to think, behave, interact, and make decisions without the use of substances.</li>
 	<li>Alcohol use disorder is treated in context with your psychological and social issues.</li>
 	<li>Treatment objectives include personal responsibility and accountability.</li>
 	<li>Treatment approaches can be confrontational as they challenge faulty beliefs, destructive behaviors, and self-concepts.</li>
 	<li>You’ll learn new ways of interacting with other people.</li>
 	<li>You may be able to receive ancillary services such as housing, employment, and other supportive services.</li>
 	<li>Treatment is highly structured.</li>
 	<li>Treatment lasts anywhere from 6–12 months.</li>
 	<li>Staff and other clients in treatment are an integral part of the change process and provide support.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Short-Term Residential Treatment</h3>
Short-term residential treatment:1,2
<ul>
 	<li>Provides intensive and brief treatment.</li>
 	<li>Is based on the 12-step approach, including principles from Alcoholics Anonymous and/or Narcotics Anonymous.</li>
 	<li>Was initially developed to effectively treat alcohol use disorder.</li>
 	<li>Generally lasts 3–6 weeks and is followed by additional services, such as outpatient therapy.</li>
 	<li>Is intended to reduce your risk of relapse once you leave this treatment setting.</li>
 	<li>Focuses on safe <a href="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/drug-detox" target="_blank" rel="noopener">detoxification</a> from substances while also undergoing intensive counseling.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Recovery Housing</h3>
Recovery housing:1
<ul>
 	<li>Provides supervised housing for a short-term period.</li>
 	<li>Can come after a short- or long-term residential treatment stay.</li>
 	<li>Focuses on helping you transition into everyday independent life.</li>
 	<li>Can teach life skills such as effectively managing your personal finances, finding a job, and making connections in your community.</li>
</ul>
<h2>How Long Are Residential Alcohol Treatment Programs?</h2>
Residential treatment, as previously outlined, can last anywhere from several weeks to a year. Your length of residential alcohol treatment can vary depending on many factors, such as your insurance coverage and the severity of your condition.

Your duration in residential treatment is going to be based on your needs, substance use history, and treatment plan goals. You and your addiction specialist/clinician will work together to create an effective treatment plan that includes a recommended length of stay in residential treatment. It is important to adhere to your clinician’s recommendations as they are trained and educated on the specifics of addiction and how to reduce your risk of relapse.
<h2>Benefits of Residential Alcohol Rehab</h2>
Residential alcohol rehab programs provide a variety of benefits regardless of duration of treatment. The benefits of a residential treatment program include:4
<ul>
 	<li>Having daily interactions with a support network of other individuals with similar alcohol addiction recovery goals.</li>
 	<li>Having limited access to outside distractions, including family, friends, and triggers—the people, places, and situations that contribute to your alcohol use—which allows you time to focus on yourself and your recovery.</li>
 	<li>Having a safe, stable, and substance-free place to stay while you recover.</li>
</ul>
<h2>Take Our “Has My Alcohol Use Become a Problem?” Self-Assessment</h2>
Take our free, 5-minute “Has My Alcohol Use Become a Problem?” self-assessment below if you think you or someone you love might be struggling with an alcohol use disorder (AUD). The evaluation consists of 11 yes or no questions that are intended to be used as an informational tool to assess the severity and probability of an AUD. The test is free, confidential, and no personal information is needed to receive the result.

[self-assessment type="alcohol"]
<h2>How Much Does Residential Alcohol Rehab Cost?</h2>
The cost of residential alcohol programs vary and are determined by a number of factors. Factors that can influence the <a href="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/rehab-guide/rehab-cost" target="_blank" rel="noopener">cost of treatment</a> include your insurance coverage, services rendered, and length of stay. Your <a href="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/insurance-coverage" target="_blank" rel="noopener">insurance coverage can help offset the cost of treatment</a>, whether you have private insurance, <a href="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/insurance-coverage/using-medicaid-to-pay-for-rehab" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Medicaid</a>, or <a href="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/rehab-guide/medicare" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Medicare</a>. Call the number on the back of your insurance card to obtain more information on your residential treatment coverage and to identify treatment facilities that accept your insurance. If you have a residential treatment facility in mind, they may be able to work with you and your insurance provider.

To check your insurance coverage and behavioral health benefits, fill out the form below.

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<h2>How Effective is Residential Treatment?</h2>
Research shows a direct connection between length of stay in residential treatment and successful treatment outcomes. Three national studies assessed the effectiveness of residential treatment among women; specifically, if length of stay in residential treatment impacted recovery outcomes after treatment ended. The 3 studies showed high treatment success rates among the women who stayed in residential treatment for 6 months or more; suggesting that length of stay among women in residential treatment is a major factor in treatment effectiveness.5

<a href="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/alcoholism-treatment" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Treatment for alcohol</a> and other substances is a process that needs to be continually monitored and evaluated; treatment doesn’t have an end point. Research shows that most individuals, who enter and stay in treatment, stop using alcohol and other drugs; improve their social, occupational, and mental functioning; and stop criminal activity.6 Residential treatment can be an integral part of a successful recovery by providing a safe space for you to focus on yourself and your recovery needs without the distractions and demands of everyday life.

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<h2>Preparing for Life After Residential Alcohol Rehab</h2>
A residential rehab center that provides medical and behavioral therapies and then gives no further support after the program is complete may, in effect, be undoing all the work done during treatment. Without tools and support post treatment, the individual may lose motivation and relapse faster than someone who has resources to stay invested in the treatment results after returning home.

One study in demonstrates that something as simple as a brief motivational interview—a call to the individual to check in, and provide support and guidance—can lead to longer recovery periods and fewer incidents of relapse.

Additionally, training in strategies, skills, and resources that the person can use and refer to after treatment, such as encouraging them to join and actively participate in a 12-step or similar support group, can also help reduce the risk of relapse.
<h2>Individualized Residential Treatment Plan</h2>
Experts, such as the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), recommend that, along with the above considerations, there are some other qualitative elements to look for in a rehab setting.7 Experts agree that treatment should be tailored to an individual’s specific needs, and this individualization can affect the likelihood of the person achieving long-term recovery. Special situations in an individual’s life may present the need for specific attention in order to achieve the most thorough treatment. Some of these include:
<ul>
 	<li><a href="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/co-occurring-disorders" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Co-occurring conditions</a>, such as depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or anxiety.</li>
 	<li>Physical diseases that require medical treatment.</li>
 	<li>Specific family issues, such as enabling behaviors or codependency.</li>
 	<li>Lack of a social support structure to encourage maintenance of recovery.</li>
</ul>
Being able to adapt treatment to meet these and other needs can determine whether or not the program will work for a particular individual. In fact, a recent study suggests that developing an individualized treatment plan in cooperation with the person receiving treatment makes that person more likely to continue treatment past the detox and <a href="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/withdrawal-timelines-treatments" target="_blank" rel="noopener">withdrawal</a> stage.8

Another element that can make or break a person’s reaction to treatment is how the program handles relapse. <a href="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/alcoholism-treatment/cure" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Alcohol use disorder is not a disease that can be cured</a>, and relapse is likely in many cases of <a href="https://americanaddictioncenters.org/rehab-guide/substance-use-disorder" target="_blank" rel="noopener">substance use disorders</a>. Treatment programs that acknowledge this are able to work with the realities of recovery and more likely to fully support clients throughout the process.

[sources]
<ol>
 	<li>National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2019). <a href="https://nida.nih.gov/publications/drugfacts/treatment-approaches-drug-addiction" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Treatment approaches for drug addiction: Drug facts</a>.</li>
 	<li>National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2018). <a href="https://nida.nih.gov/sites/default/files/675-principles-of-drug-addiction-treatment-a-research-based-guide-third-edition.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Principles of drug addiction treatment: A research-based guide (Third Edition): Types of treatment programs.</a></li>
 	<li>American Society of Addiction Medicine. (2015). <a href="https://www.asam.org/asam-criteria/about-the-asam-criteria" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">About the ASAM Criteria</a></li>
 	<li>Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2004). <a href="https://store.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/d7/priv/sma14-4126.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">What is substance abuse treatment? A booklet for families.</a></li>
 	<li>Greenfield, L., Burgdorf, K., Chen, X., Porowski, A., Roberts, T., &amp; Herrell, J. (2004). <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15540492/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Effectiveness of long-term residential substance abuse treatment for women: findings from three national studies.</a> American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse, 30(3), 537-550.</li>
 	<li>National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2018). <a href="https://nida.nih.gov/sites/default/files/675-principles-of-drug-addiction-treatment-a-research-based-guide-third-edition.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Principles of drug addiction treatment: A research-based guide (Third Edition): How effective is drug addiction treatment?</a></li>
 	<li>National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. (2021).<a href="https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/brochures-and-fact-sheets/treatment-alcohol-problems-finding-and-getting-help#chapter05" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Treatment for Alcohol Problems: Finding and Getting Help.</a></li>
 	<li>Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2015). <a href="https://store.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/d7/priv/sma15-4131.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Detoxification and Substance Abuse Treatment</a>. Treatment Improvement Protocol (TIP) Series, No. 45. HHS Publication No. (SMA) 15-4131. Rockville, MD: Center for Substance Abuse Treatment, 2006.</li>
</ol>
[/sources]

Residential Alcohol Rehab: Finding Residential Treatment for Alcohol Use Disorder

Kristen Fuller, MD, enjoys writing about evidence-based topics in the cutting-edge world of mental health and addiction medicine and contributes to medicine board education. Her passion lies in educating the public on the stigma associated with mental health.  Dr. Fuller is also an outdoor activist, an avid photographer, and is the founder of an outdoor women's blog titled, GoldenStateofMinds. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, backpacking, skiing, camping, and paddle boarding with her dogs in Mammoth Lakes, California where she calls home.

Kristen Fuller, MD | American Addiction Centers

American Addiction Centers

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Kristen Fuller, MD

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