No one drug solves every case of withdrawal. Doctors select medications for drug withdrawal based on the specific substance, your symptoms, and your overall health. Some of these drugs reduce unpleasant feelings. Others target the main cause of the issue.
Withdrawal from alcohol and sedatives can be deadly. Do not attempt to manage this alone. Seek medical help to ensure your safety. If you are in danger now, call 911 or go to the ER. For suicidal thoughts, call or text 988.
We run a treatment directory in the U.S., but we are not a provider. This guide provides general info only. Read more about finding medical detox care.
Medications for Drug Withdrawal: Core Ideas
Clinicians choose the medicine to match the drug. They also check your symptoms and health risks.
Knowing the difference between two kinds of medicine helps. Only withdrawal symptoms are eased by some drugs. The underlying substance use disorder is treated by others over time. For example, other opioids can be blocked or replaced by some opioids. Using a blocking agent while taking a different opioid can cause 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. You can learn more about opioid withdrawal management or alcohol withdrawal medications in our other guides. Always talk with a doctor or other qualified medical professional before starting any new medication.
Meds to Ease Opioid Withdrawal
How medication is used can change based on each person's clinical needs.[3] Below, a table shows some options for opioid withdrawal management and long-term care for 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] |
This table is just for learning. It is not a prescription plan. Do not start, stop, or change these drugs without a doctor's advice.
Buprenorphine Timing: Why It Counts
Buprenorphine can trigger withdrawal if someone is physically dependent on other opioids.[7] This is known as precipitated withdrawal.[7] Do not manage this at home.
Naltrexone Fits Later in Care
Naltrexone treats opioid use disorder over time, not acute opioid withdrawal.[6] It blocks opioid effects, not eases withdrawal symptoms.[6] Starting it too soon can trigger withdrawal, so a clinician must decide if and when it is appropriate.[7]
See our guide on opioid withdrawal management for details on how these steps work. Ask your doctor or an addiction specialist about the safest plan for you.
Meds for Alcohol or Sedative Withdrawal
Leaving alcohol or sedatives requires tight medical care. These drugs hit the brain's central nervous system. Quitting all at once can spark dangerous body reactions. A clinician will look at your health and symptoms. They will pick the safest route for you.
Alcohol Withdrawal Care
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 consider phenobarbital. Close monitoring is needed in the specific settings where this is used. Providers must have experience with this drug.[10] Your care team will decide if it fits your needs.
Sedative Withdrawal Care
Sedative withdrawal does not have one standard medication plan, unlike alcohol withdrawal. Each plan is built for the specific substance and your health.[3] Clinicians pick the right drug and tapering schedule while supervising you closely. Never change or taper your dose by yourself. A professional can create a safe plan for you.
Spotting risks helps you find safe care. Read about withdrawal warning signs to know when you need urgent help. For medications for alcohol or sedative withdrawal, always listen to licensed doctors.
Drugs Without FDA-Approved Withdrawal Treatments
Quitting stimulants or cannabis still calls for a doctor. The FDA has not cleared any medicine to treat stimulant use disorder.[11] Doctors usually focus on easing symptoms for these drugs.
This holds true for cannabis as well. The FDA has not approved any medication specifically for cannabis withdrawal.
Never try to handle withdrawal by yourself with over-the-counter drugs like Benadryl, hydroxyzine, or propranolol. A brief drop in symptoms does not mean it is safe to skip care. A clinician can help make symptoms easier to handle. First, they must check the 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.
Withdrawal Emergencies
Certain withdrawal symptoms count as 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 treat this table as a diagnostic tool. Do not use it to decide if symptoms are "bad enough" to wait out. 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]
If you are not sure if a situation is an emergency, act like it is. Our guide on withdrawal warning signs explains what to watch for.
Locating Medically Supervised Withdrawal Care
Talking to a professional is the safest next step. They can look at your needs. Many places offer withdrawal care. Settings range from outpatient clinics to full inpatient hospitals.[14] You may search for "medical detox near me" or ask a local hospital. Aim to find a team that closely monitors your health.
Not sure where to begin? Dial the SAMHSA National Helpline. Calls are free and remain confidential. Staff will guide you toward local treatment options.[15] Remember, this is 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. Clear answers on your safety are what you deserve.
Moving Past Withdrawal and Staying in Care
Clearing withdrawal is a huge first move. Yet your care does not stop there. ASAM notes that just handling opioid withdrawal is not effective treatment for opioid use disorder.[16] Think of this stage as making room for lasting help.
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 is one option, not a fixed path. Your plan rests on your own health and needs. Staying in medication treatment lowers the risk of overdose death compared to being out of treatment.[17]
Check with your team on what follows before you go. You may keep using medication or begin counseling. Another choice is joining a recovery support group. Deciding on these steps together helps you get the right support. Learn more in our guide on detox versus ongoing rehab. 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.
