No single medicine fixes every type of withdrawal. Doctors pick medications for drug withdrawal using the substance, your symptoms, and your health. Some drugs help calm bad feelings. Others address the root cause of the issue.
Alcohol and sedative withdrawal can be deadly. Do not manage this by yourself. Seek medical help to keep yourself safe. If you are in danger now, call 911 or go to the ER. For suicidal thoughts, call or text 988.
Our site is a U.S. treatment directory. We do not provide care. This guide shares information only. Learn more about finding medical detox care.
Medications for Drug Withdrawal: What You Should Know
Which drug is involved guides the choice. Clinicians also weigh your health risks and current symptoms.
Knowing the difference between these two medicine types is helpful. Certain drugs just ease withdrawal symptoms. Others treat the underlying substance use disorder over time. For example, some opioids can block or replace other opioids. Using a blocking agent with a different opioid can trigger withdrawal by itself.
3
FDA-approved medications exist for opioid use disorder[1]
2018
was the year the FDA approved lofexidine for opioid withdrawal[2]
These figures relate to opioids alone. They do not mean these medicines work for alcohol or stimulant withdrawal. Our other guides have more details on opioid withdrawal management or alcohol withdrawal medications. Always talk with a doctor or other qualified medical professional before starting any new medication.
Drugs Used for Opioid Withdrawal
Medication plans may differ based on each person's clinical needs.[3] The chart below lists some choices for opioid withdrawal care and treating opioid use disorder.[4][5][6]
| Medication or group | Purpose in care | Key safety note |
|---|---|---|
| Buprenorphine | Used in clinician-supervised opioid withdrawal management and to treat opioid use disorder.[4] | Can precipitate withdrawal in a person physically dependent on other opioids.[7] |
| Clonidine / Lofexidine | Clinicians may use these to reduce some opioid withdrawal symptoms.[5] | They are not opioid agonist medications.[5] |
| Naltrexone | Used as ongoing treatment for opioid use disorder, not to relieve acute withdrawal.[6] | Starting it too soon can trigger withdrawal in a person physically dependent on opioids; a clinician must determine whether and when it is appropriate.[7] |
View this chart for education only. It is not a prescription. A doctor must advise you before starting, stopping, or changing these drugs.
The Importance of Timing with Buprenorphine
Buprenorphine can trigger precipitated withdrawal if you are physically dependent on other opioids.[7] This reaction is known as precipitated withdrawal.[7] Do not attempt to handle this at home.
Naltrexone Serves Later Treatment Needs
Naltrexone treats opioid use disorder over time, not acute opioid withdrawal.[6] It works by blocking opioid effects, not easing withdrawal symptoms.[6] Starting it too early can trigger withdrawal. A clinician must decide if and when it is safe.[7]
Our guide on opioid withdrawal management explains how these steps work. Speak with your doctor or an addiction specialist to choose the safest route for you.
Medications for Drug Withdrawal: Alcohol and Sedatives
If you stop alcohol or sedatives, you need close medical care. These drugs work on the brain's central nervous system. Ending use all at once can lead to dangerous body reactions. A clinician will check your health and symptoms. They will pick the safest path for you.
Handling Alcohol Withdrawal
Benzodiazepines are a common choice for alcohol withdrawal. The American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) recommends them as a first-line approach for moderate or severe cases.[10] These medicines help prevent seizures and delirium.
In some cases, clinicians may also look at phenobarbital. Close monitoring is needed in certain settings for this choice. Providers must have experience with this drug.[10] Your care team will decide if it fits your needs.
Handling Sedative Withdrawal
Sedative withdrawals do not have one standard medication plan, unlike alcohol withdrawal. Your plan is tailored to the substance and your health needs.[3] Clinicians pick the right medication and tapering schedule under close supervision. Do not change or taper your dose on your own. A professional can build a safe plan for you.
Understanding these risks helps you locate safe care. Read about withdrawal warning signs to spot when you need urgent help. For medications for alcohol or sedative withdrawal, always follow licensed doctors' advice.
Medications for Drug Withdrawal: Other Substances
If you are quitting stimulants or cannabis, you still need a doctor. There are no FDA-approved medications specifically approved to treat stimulant use disorder.[11] For these drugs, doctors usually focus on easing symptoms.
The same is true for cannabis. The FDA has not approved any medication to treat cannabis withdrawal.
Do not use over-the-counter drugs like Benadryl, hydroxyzine, or propranolol to manage withdrawal alone. Even if you feel better briefly, going it alone is not safe. A clinician can help make symptoms easier to bear. First, they must check what substance you used. They also need to look at your other medicines and health conditions.
- Tell the clinician what you used. Share the specific drug and when you last used it. This helps them check your risk.
- List your symptoms and medicines. Tell them about any discomforts. Also list all pills or supplements you take now.
- Ask about the right level of care. Ask if you need medical supervision for withdrawal.
- Follow the clinician's plan. Do not try over-the-counter or borrowed medicines on your own.
Recognizing a Withdrawal Emergency
Some withdrawal symptoms are medical emergencies. Do not wait to see if these signs fade if you or a loved one shows them. Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room right away.
For suicidal thoughts, call or text 988. If there is immediate danger, call 911.
| Warning Sign | Action Now |
|---|---|
| Seizures | Call 911 or go to the emergency room immediately.[12] |
| Hallucinations or severe confusion | Call 911 or go to the emergency room immediately.[12] |
| High fever or racing heart during withdrawal | Call 911 or go to the emergency room immediately.[12] |
Do not use this table to diagnose illness. It is not a tool for deciding if you should wait out symptoms. Severe alcohol withdrawal can be life-threatening and involves these specific risks.[12] Opioid overdose signs include a person who cannot be awakened and has slow, shallow, or absent breathing.[13]
When in doubt, treat the situation as an emergency. Our guide on withdrawal warning signs explains what to look for.
Finding Medically Supervised Withdrawal Care
Your safest next step is talking to a professional. They can look at your needs. Many places provide withdrawal care. This ranges from outpatient clinics to full inpatient hospitals.[14] You might search for "medical detox near me." Or you can ask a local hospital. Aim to find a team that keeps a close eye on your health.
Call the SAMHSA National Helpline if you are unsure where to begin. The service is free and keeps your information private. Staff can assist you in finding local treatment options.[15] It acts as a referral service, not an emergency line. If you have danger signs, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room now.
Questions to Ask About Withdrawal Care
Your ticks are saved on this device only.
What Is the Safest Next Step?
This self-check is for information only and isn't a diagnosis.
You can read more about talking to your doctor before you make calls. It is fair to expect clear answers regarding your safety.
Managing Withdrawal and Continuing Care
Passing through withdrawal is a key first move. It does not end your care, though. ASAM notes that handling opioid withdrawal on its own is not effective treatment for opioid use disorder.[16] View this stage as opening the door to lasting support.
Check-up and supervised withdrawal
You get medical care to manage symptoms safely.
Planning your next steps
Your team talks through your options before you leave.
Ongoing treatment
You start or continue medication, counseling, and recovery supports.
This route is a choice, not a set plan. Your path relies on your health and needs. Staying in medication treatment lowers the risk of overdose death compared to being out of treatment.[17]
Talk to your team about what follows before you exit. You might keep using medication or start counseling. You can also join a recovery support group. Picking these choices as a group helps you find the right support. Read our guide on detox versus ongoing rehab to learn more. You can also search for treatment programs that provide these services near you.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s good for withdrawal symptoms, and what should I give someone who is withdrawing?
Do not give a borrowed or store-bought medicine to treat withdrawal. This is not a safe substitute for a medical check-up. Call a clinician or a withdrawal-care service. Tell them what substance was used. List all current symptoms and other medicines. If there are emergency signs, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room now.
Can Benadryl help with withdrawal symptoms?
Benadryl is not a standard treatment for withdrawal and does not treat the underlying withdrawal syndrome. It contains diphenhydramine, which can cause drowsiness, especially when mixed with alcohol.[18] Do not use it to treat withdrawal on your own. Ask a clinician before giving it, particularly if the person took other drugs or substances.
What drug is used to block withdrawal symptoms?
No single drug blocks withdrawal from all substances. Naltrexone blocks opioid effects. It is not for self-treatment of acute withdrawal. It can trigger withdrawal in people dependent on opioids.[7] Always follow specific orders from a medical provider.
Does propranolol help with opioid withdrawal?
Propranolol is not a standard treatment for opioid withdrawal and does not treat the underlying withdrawal syndrome. It works by relaxing blood vessels and slowing heart rate to improve blood flow and decrease blood pressure.[19] Do not take or give propranolol for withdrawal without a clinician’s advice. Ask about safer care for the whole body, not just one symptom.
What medication is used for opioid withdrawal?
Doctors choose medicines based on individual needs. No one option fits everyone. Lofexidine is a non-opioid option for adults. It is labeled to ease opioid withdrawal symptoms.[2] A care team picks the best fit for health factors.
Does hydroxyzine help with withdrawal symptoms?
Hydroxyzine is not a standard treatment for withdrawal and does not treat the underlying withdrawal syndrome. It can cause drowsiness.[20] Do not use hydroxyzine for withdrawal without a clinician’s advice. Ask if it is right for your situation. Check if it interacts with other medicines or substances.
Are there different medications for alcohol or sedative withdrawal?
Yes, doctors use specific plans for each substance. Alcohol and sedative withdrawal need close medical watching. ASAM recommends thiamine during alcohol withdrawal care.[10] Thiamine helps prevent Wernicke encephalopathy.[10] Do not stop alcohol or sedatives alone on your own. Ask a clinician about supervised care.
