• Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer

Alpine Recovery Lodge

Admissions:801-901-8757
Other Inquiries:877-415-4060
  • Conditions Treated
    • Substance Use Disorders
      • Understanding Alcoholism
      • Understanding Drug Addiction
      • Cocaine Addiction
      • Heroin Addiction
      • Prescription Drug Addiction
      • Meth Addiction
      • Amphetamine Addiction
      • Marijuana Addiction
      • Ecstasy Addiction
      • Inhalants Addiction
    • Mental Health Disorders
      • Bipolar & Mood Disorders
      • Anxiety Disorders
      • Post-Traumatic Stress (PTSD)
      • Obsessive-Compulsive Disorders
      • Personality Disorders
      • Process Addictions
  • Treatments
    • Alcohol & Drug Treatment
    • Dual Diagnosis
    • Detox Program
    • Trauma and PTSD Treatment
    • EMDR
    • The 12 Steps
    • Faith-Based Addiction Programs
    • Holistic Approach to Recovery
  • Specialized Therapy
    • Individual Therapy
    • Group Therapy
    • Family Therapy
    • Relapse Prevention
    • Emotional Processing
    • Life Coaching
    • Nature & Experiential Therapy
    • Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT)
    • Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT)
    • Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
  • Admissions
    • Alpine Recovery Lodge Admissions
    • What To Bring
    • Payment Options
    • Financing Options
  • Alumni
  • Blog
  • About Us
    • Our Team
    • Testimonials
    • Alpine Recovery Lodge Campus Tour
    • Areas Served
    • Comparison Chart
    • FAQ
    • Career
  • Contact
Alpine Recovery Lodge » Blog » What is the Hardest Drug Addiction to Overcome?

What is the Hardest Drug Addiction to Overcome?

Last updated on February 23, 2016 by Medical Director Donald Harline, MD

Lines of drugs with a razor and a rolled up hundred dollar bill next to itMany patients recovering from addiction and their families ask us about the hardest drug addictions to overcome. We understand their interest. People want to know how difficult the process will be for them or their loved ones.

All drug addictions can be difficult to overcome, but it is true that some drugs produce more powerful withdrawal symptoms than others. Here’s what we know about the hardest drugs to kick.

Benzodiazepine Drug Addiction

Benzodiazepines are commonly prescribed anti-anxiety drugs such as Valium, Xanax, Klonopin and Halcion. They’re considered some of the most addictive drugs available by prescription.

Up to 60% of people prescribed Benzodiazepines (also known as benzo’s) develop a physical dependency.

Benzodiazepines work by helping a brain chemical, called GABA, be more effective. Naturally, GABA has a calming effect, but many users quickly become tolerant to the drug’s effects. Still, they’re considered by many doctors to be the most effective medications to combat panic attacks.

Some common symptoms of benzo withdrawal include:

  • Irritability
  • Emotional outbursts
  • Lack of concentration/memory problems
  • Aches, pains and muscle soreness
  • Difficulty sleeping
  • Anxiety or panic attacks

Additional severe symptoms include suicidal thoughts, seizures, and even death.

Benzo’s are both difficult to overcome and highly dangerous. Overdose is common — 30% of pharmaceutical overdoses in the US are because of these drugs.

Alcohol

Few consider alcohol to be a particularly difficult addiction to overcome because it’s legal and so many people use it regularly. But that’s one of the reasons alcohol addiction is so prevalent — our culture of acceptance leads many alcoholics to relapse, thinking that “just one drink” with friends couldn’t hurt.

For people trying to kick the habit, alcohol withdrawal also comes with a variety of symptoms, such as:

  • Anxiety or nervousness
  • Depression
  • Fatigue
  • Irritability
  • Jumpiness or shakiness
  • Mood swings
  • Nightmares
  • Not thinking clearly

Symptoms generally peak around 24 to 72 hours after withdrawal, though they can continue for weeks.

Some people also suffer from a severe case of alcohol withdrawal, called delirium tremens. It has its own common symptoms:

  • Agitation
  • Fever
  • Seeing or feeling things that aren’t there (hallucinations)
  • Seizures
  • Severe confusion

Alcohol acts as a depressant of the central nervous system. Long term abuse can also alter the brain’s reward system and impact motor skills.

In the US, 7% of adults suffer from some kind of alcohol-use disorder. The prevalence of alcoholism is one of the reasons it’s considered such a hard drug to overcome.

Opiates

Opiates as a category include both prescription and illegal drugs, such as morphine, heroin, methadone, codeine, OxyContin, Percocet and Vicodin.

Physical dependency on these drugs develops frequently, especially when they are injected. Psychological dependence is also a factor, as many people use these drugs to manage chronic pain, unwanted emotions and high stress.

Withdrawal symptoms from opiates can be deadly. Common symptoms include:

  • Fatigue
  • Irritability or agitation
  • Anxiety
  • Insomnia
  • Runny nose and teary eyes
  • Hot and cold flashes
  • Yawning
  • Muscle aches and pains
  • Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramping

It’s incredibly difficult for opiate addicts to overcome their addiction without help. Those who try rarely succeed for more than 60-90 days.

Methadone has traditionally been used as a way to wean heroin users off the drug and minimize withdrawal symptoms. However methadone is incredibly addictive itself and rarely leads to long-term recovery. 70% to 90% of methadone users relapse shortly after ending treatment.

Conclusion

There are a lot of factors that affect how difficult a drug addiction is to overcome. Physical addiction and psychological addiction combined with social sanctions create a unique environment that can encourage dependency.

At the same time, drug addiction can vary from person to person. Besides physical and mental health, a person’s support network can make a huge difference in how difficult it is to overcome drug addiction.

What do you think affects someone’s ability to overcome drug addiction? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Filed Under: Blog

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Footer

facebook icon twitter icon linkedin icon
Our Facility:
Alpine Recovery Lodge
1018 E. Oakhill Drive
Alpine, Utah 84004
get-directions

Helpful Links

  • Substance Use Disorders
  • Mental Health Disorders
  • Treatment
  • Specialized Therapy
  • Admissions
  • Alumni

About Us

  • Our Team
  • Testimonials
  • Blog
  • FAQ
  • Career
  • Contact Us
©2023 Alpine Recovery Lodge. All Rights Reserved.  |  Online Portal Privacy  |  Sitemap
MENU
  • Conditions Treated
    • Substance Use Disorders
      • Understanding Alcoholism
      • Understanding Drug Addiction
      • Cocaine Addiction
      • Heroin Addiction
      • Prescription Drug Addiction
      • Meth Addiction
      • Amphetamine Addiction
      • Marijuana Addiction
      • Ecstasy Addiction
      • Inhalants Addiction
    • Mental Health Disorders
      • Bipolar & Mood Disorders
      • Anxiety Disorders
      • Post-Traumatic Stress (PTSD)
      • Obsessive-Compulsive Disorders
      • Personality Disorders
      • Process Addictions
  • Treatments
    • Alcohol & Drug Treatment
    • Dual Diagnosis
    • Detox Program
    • Trauma and PTSD Treatment
    • EMDR
    • The 12 Steps
    • Faith-Based Addiction Programs
    • Holistic Approach to Recovery
  • Specialized Therapy
    • Individual Therapy
    • Group Therapy
    • Family Therapy
    • Relapse Prevention
    • Emotional Processing
    • Life Coaching
    • Nature & Experiential Therapy
    • Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT)
    • Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT)
    • Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
  • Admissions
    • Alpine Recovery Lodge Admissions
    • What To Bring
    • Payment Options
    • Financing Options
  • Alumni
  • Blog
  • About Us
    • Our Team
    • Testimonials
    • Alpine Recovery Lodge Campus Tour
    • Areas Served
    • Comparison Chart
    • FAQ
    • Career
  • Contact