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Detoxification is used to treat withdrawal caused by addiction or dependency and help patients rid their bodies of substances, including:

• Sedatives. Also called depressants, these are among the most commonly abused substances. They include medications that have been used as sleep aids or to assist in relaxation (e.g., barbiturates, benzodiazepines). Minor signs and symptoms of withdrawal from these substances include restlessness, anxiety, insomnia and sweating. More serious signs and symptoms of withdrawal include hallucinations, tremors (shakiness), seizures, high blood pressure, rapid pulse and delirium. Untreated withdrawal from these drugs can be life threatening.
  
  
• Alcohol. This is another type of depressant. Withdrawal from alcohol abuse can cause a range of symptoms. Mild to moderate withdrawal symptoms can usually be treated outside a facility and without medications. However, supportive care, monitoring and daily follow-ups are necessary. Patients at risk of serious withdrawal symptoms (e.g., seizures, delirium) and those with certain other medical conditions generally require more extensive inpatient treatment. The most dangerous symptom of alcohol withdrawal is delirium tremens (DTs), which is characterized by tremors (shakiness) and delirium. Untreated withdrawal from alcohol can be life threatening.
  
  
• Stimulants. Cocaine is among the most frequently abused stimulant drugs. The typical signs and symptoms of stimulant withdrawal include depression, fatigue, anxiety and intense cravings for the substance. Other signs and symptoms of withdrawal include suicidal thoughts or attempts, paranoia and acute psychosis (impaired perception of reality). No medications have been proven effective for cocaine detoxification. However, many show promise and are frequently used to treat withdrawal symptoms.
  
  
• Opioids. These drugs are also called narcotics. They include legal prescription pain killers (e.g., morphine, oxycodone, codeine) and illicit varieties (e.g., heroin). Minor signs and symptoms of opioid withdrawal include a runny nose, sweating, yawning, anxiety and a craving for the substance. Patients with only mild to moderate withdrawal symptoms may be candidates for outpatient detoxification, although medications are still required. Patients with severe withdrawal symptoms generally require more extensive detoxification. Though patients who go through untreated withdrawal from opioids can be in marked discomfort, it is rarely life threatening. Severe signs and symptoms of opioid withdrawal include:
  
  
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Shakiness (tremors)
• Insomnia
• Depression
• Dilated pupils
• Abdominal cramps
• Bone and muscle pain
• Rapid pulse
• Rapid breathing
• High blood pressure