Detoxing from certain substances under the supervision of medical professionals can help you navigate withdrawal safely.
Withdrawal symptoms from substance abuse can be uncomfortable and even life-threatening in some cases. Medically-assisted detox seeks to soothe the physical symptoms of stopping the use and abuse of drugs and alcohol.
Since it addresses the very real physical symptoms of withdrawal, medically-assisted detox is recommended for some substances more than others.
Prescription opioids & heroin
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) classifies heroin as a Schedule I drug, which means it has no medical use. The DEA classifies many other opioids as Schedule II controlled substances. Schedule I and Schedule II controlled substances are highly addictive with a higher than usual potential for abuse and dependency. Opioids bind to the opioid receptors in the brain, blocking feelings of pain and producing a sense of calm. This class includes prescription narcotics, such as Percocet, Vicodin and OxyContin.