Guide
4 Types of Commonly Abused Prescription Drugs | Drug and Alcohol Detox Austin
Joint Commission accredited · In network with most major insurance · Admissions answered 24 hours a day
Published October 14, 2024
Reviewed and updated July 29, 2026
Table of contents
- 1. Opioids
- 2. Benzodiazepines
- 3. Stimulants
- 4. Barbiturates
- Why Professional Detox is Essential for Prescription Drug Abuse
- Get Help Today
- Drug Detox With Briarwood
- Break Free From Your Addiction Today
Prescription drugs help with pain, mental health issues, and other medical problems. However, people can misuse them or take them without the right guidance, which can lead to addiction. At Briarwood Detox Center in Austin, Texas, we understand the serious risks of prescription drug abuse. Detox is the first step toward recovery, and we’re here to guide you through it. Before you begin, it's helpful to know more about the most commonly abused prescription drugs and how they affect your health. Related reading: Sudafed high (pseudoephedrine misuse).
1. Opioids
Doctors often prescribe opioids for pain relief, but these drugs can lead to addiction, even when used as prescribed. Opioids work by attaching to parts of the brain that control pain, reducing discomfort while also creating feelings of pleasure. Over time, your body gets used to the drug, so you need larger doses to feel the same effect. As a result, this increases the risk of addiction.
Common opioids include oxycodone, hydrocodone, and morphine. Misusing these drugs can cause serious problems like trouble breathing, overdose, or even death. That’s why detoxing from opioids needs to be done with medical supervision to stay safe. At Briarwood Detox Center, we provide special opioid detox treatments to help you manage withdrawal safely. For a quick opioid analgesics list showing where hydrocodone, oxycodone, and other pain pills rank from strongest to weakest, see our opioid strength guide.
2. Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines, also known as "benzos," are often prescribed to treat anxiety, panic attacks, and trouble sleeping. Medications like Xanax, Valium, and Ativan are examples of this type of drug. While they work well when taken as directed, their calming effects can make them addictive. If used for long periods or in high doses, people often develop physical and mental dependence. Benzodiazepines and barbiturates are types of CNS depressants—here’s how they affect the brain.
Benzodiazepine withdrawal is difficult, with symptoms like seizures, extreme anxiety, and trouble sleeping. To avoid serious health risks, people need to slowly reduce their use of the drug with medical help. At Briarwood Detox Center, we create custom detox plans for benzo users, making sure their detox is safe and comfortable.
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3. Stimulants
Doctors often prescribe stimulants like Adderall, Ritalin, and Concerta to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or sleep problems. These drugs help people stay focused and awake by increasing dopamine levels in the brain. While these medications work well for those who need them, they are often misused for their energy-boosting effects.
Misusing stimulants can lead to serious health problems like a fast heartbeat, anxiety, paranoia, or even heart failure. Detoxing from stimulant addiction can be hard because cravings are often strong. That’s why Briarwood Detox Center offers a full detox program to help people manage stimulant withdrawal safely and start their recovery.
4. Barbiturates
Barbiturates, once commonly prescribed for sleep issues and seizures, are now less frequently used due to their high risk of overdose. However, drugs like phenobarbital and amobarbital are still sometimes abused for their calming effects. Barbiturate addiction can be very dangerous because withdrawal symptoms, such as shaking, anxiety, and hallucinations, can become life-threatening without medical help.
Detoxing from barbiturates needs close medical care to avoid complications. At Briarwood Detox Center, our medical team closely watches people as they detox from barbiturates to ensure they stay safe throughout the process.
Why Professional Detox is Essential for Prescription Drug Abuse
Detox is the first step to overcoming addiction to prescription drugs. However, trying to quit without help can be risky. These drugs change the brain’s chemistry, making it hard to stop without feeling serious withdrawal symptoms. A supervised detox at Briarwood Detox Center helps ensure your safety throughout the process. For a simple chronic prescription drug use definition that applies to opioids, benzos, stimulants, and more, see our chronic‑use guide.
Our program not only focuses on detox but also on long-term recovery. We provide support at every step of the way, from detox to sober living. At Briarwood Detox Center, we tailor our care plans to meet your specific needs, whether you are struggling with opioids, benzos, stimulants, or barbiturates.
Get Help Today
At Briarwood Detox Center, we believe everyone can recover from addiction. Our personalized care plans focus on the root causes of addiction while providing a safe space for detox. By combining proven treatments with holistic care for the mind, body, and soul, we give you the best chance at long-term recovery.
If you or a loved one is dealing with prescription drug addiction, don’t wait. Get help today by contacting us for a Confidential Insurance and Availability Check. We accept most insurance plans and are ready to help you begin your recovery.
Drug Detox With Briarwood
Briarwood Detox Center offers detoxification treatment for alcohol, opioid, methamphetamine, prescription drugs, and much more. Our experienced clinical staff provides round-the-clock monitoring throughout the drug detoxification process and our therapy team provides support to help manage the emotional response to treatment. Additionally, we have detox facilities located in Austin, Houston, and Colorado Springs with state-of-the-art amenities.
Briarwood is dedicated to facilitating a healthy and safe environment that empowers people to make significant and lasting changes in their lives. We look forward to supporting you or your loved one on the journey to recovery. Call (866) 710-7710 today for more information on our programs and admission process.
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