Medically Managed Withdrawal

Expertise & Knowledge Ensure Comfort
Medically managed withdrawal is only the beginning of the recovery process and is administered in a safe, confidential, clinical environment that ensures the very least amount of discomfort. Having an expertise in detoxification from alcohol, sedatives/hypnotics, painkillers, and other drugs, Las Vegas Recovery Center is also licensed by the DEA to administer methadone, which provides us with the unique ability to facilitate withdrawal from heavy opiate use. View our Accreditations. In addition to traditional medications used for opiate withdrawal (including Catapres/clonidine, Vistaril/hydroxyzine, sedative medications, Desyrel/trazadone, and muscle and stomach relaxants), we utilize Subutex/bupenorphine in selected cases when indicated.

The key to successful detoxification is personalized assessment by a multidisciplinary team and closely supervised treatment designed and monitored by our expert medical staff.

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A Closer Look At Withdrawal
Withdrawal or abstinence syndrome consists of the development of physical and psychological symptoms when a physically addicting drug is stopped too quickly or suddenly. The symptoms are usually the opposite of the actual effects of that same drug. For example, withdrawal from sedative or hypnotic drugs like benzodiazepines, including Valium/diazepam, Xanax/alprazolam, Klonipen/clonazepam, Serax/oxazepam, Soma/carisopradol, and others, which are used to induce sleep or relaxation, will consist of anxiety, insomnia, and increased breathing rate and body temperature. Withdrawal from stimulants such as "meth" or cocaine results in fatigue, irritability, and depression. Finally, withdrawal symptoms from opiate pain relievers include increased pain, anxiety, sleep disturbance, agitation, nausea, and vomiting.

The duration of the withdrawal syndrome often depends on how long the drug stays in the system. Different drugs have different "half-lives." Furthermore, intensity of withdrawal will be greater in people who have used higher doses of the drug for a longer period of time—in other words, the longer the use and the higher the dose, the more difficult the withdrawal.

Medical treatment is required for the more severe cases of withdrawal and consists of a thorough evaluation by our addiction specialist and a history and physical by an internal medicine specialist. Blood work will be drawn and analyzed for drug-induced medical complications, such as liver problems, blood count abnormalities, and other potential health issues. Individuals who are experiencing withdrawal need rest, nutrition, and especially fluid replacement.

Medications are used to manage withdrawal in order to minimize symptoms and physical suffering while keeping the client safe. Typically, treatment involves administering enough medication to decrease the symptoms of withdrawal and gradually decreasing the dose of these medications over the following five to ten days. Some drug withdrawal may last longer if those drugs stay in the system longer, for example, Oxycontin or methadone. The detoxification protocol may use the same drug in decreasing doses or a similar drug in the same class.

Decisions and protocols for detoxification are made by the attending addiction specialist and will be adjusted daily or more frequently depending on the symptoms experienced by the client. These dose adjustments are individualized based on the client's experience, since no two clients are the same.

Mel Pohl, MD, FASAM, leads our committed and experienced medical team. Dr. Pohl is an addiction specialist with over twenty-five years' experience in treating the disease of addiction. He is a board-certified physician, a Fellow of the American Board of Family Practice, a Fellow of the American Society of Addiction Medicine and an accomplished author and lecturer. The knowledge and skill Dr.Pohl brings to LVRC ensures that the most current methodologies of treating withdrawal are used by our team, addressing the specific needs of each client.

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What Happens After Medically Managed Withdrawal?
After an intensive medical and psychological evaluation, and with the completion of medically managed withdrawal, our clients enter into the appropriate inpatient program designed specifically for that individual and his or her family. Our Clinical Director, Frank Szabo, LADC, has over thirty years' combined personal and professional experience in recovery and addiction treatment. He leads our competent and professional treatment team in establishing a targeted program that includes specialized counseling, education, and research-based best practices.

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For Those With Chronic Pain
Our Chronic Pain Rehabilitation Program is expressly designed for those whose lives are so compromised by pain that they have been unable to manage without medication. After medically managed withdrawal, they enter into a program that includes education, physical therapy, and counseling, which will allow them to discover alternative ways to manage their pain without medication. Visit the Chronic Pain Program details for more information.

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Enhanced Recovery Services
We also offer enhanced recovery services such as physical therapy, Chi Kung, massage, yoga, and nutritional consultation. Visit the Enhanced Recovery Services details for more information.

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Medically managed withdrawal is only
the beginning of the recovery process.