Gas station heroin, or tianeptine, acts like an opioid. It closely mimics heroin and often sells in gas stations and online stores, earning it the name “gas station heroin.” And like opioids, tianeptine can be highly addictive.
Some states have made tianeptine illegal. Other states heed the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) regulation1, which states “…it is an unsafe food additive, and dietary supplements containing tianeptine are adulterated under the FD&C Act.” As such, tianeptine sellers can’t say it’s meant for consumption—or really anything else but “laboratory research.”
But that doesn’t make gas station heroin any less addictive or any harder to get. To help you or your loved one recover, your care team might suggest going to rehab for drug addiction.
Understanding Gas Station Heroin
Gas station heroin goes by several street names: ZaZa, Tianna, Pegasus, and TD Red. Tianeptine was created and patented as an antidepressant2 and still has that function in some European, Asian, and Latin American countries. But in the U.S., some use tianeptine as a pseudo-opioid. Because it’s not a controlled substance across the whole U.S. (yet), the legality of tianeptine proves tempting.
Tianeptine acts like an opioid2 because it’s also a mu-opioid receptor agonist, which means it causes an influx of dopamine along your brain’s pleasure circuit. That’s why it’s effects can be compared to heroin. Tianeptine also causes opioid-like withdrawal symptoms—some say it’s even worse3.
Despite being marketed as a demure dietary supplement, a nootropic, or a novel way to treat depression, tianeptine is far from safe. Smaller doses may prove harmless or even beneficial for non-U.S. patients taking it as prescribed. But, like heroin, tianeptine use could easily spiral into a costly addiction.
Many also don’t know tianeptine can be addictive and have painful withdrawal symptoms. That’s understandable, since many sellers present tianeptine as a nootropic (cognitive enhancer) or as an innocent dietary supplement. Though more and more have realized the true nature of tianeptine, including the states fighting to illegalize it, it’s been too little too late for some.
Overdose, Tolerance, and Withdrawals
Taking a seemingly safe drug with unknown effects could lead to overdoses, which have been fatal. You might not know how much is safe, how often you can take it, and what doesn’t pair well with tianeptine. These factors all increase your chance of an overdose.
Even within “safe” doses, your tolerance will build. As time goes on, you may need to take higher and higher doses to feel the same positive effects. The more you take, the more likely an overdose becomes. And the higher and riskier your dose goes, the worse your withdrawals could feel4.
As the nickname “gas station heroin” suggests, you can find tianeptine in some gas stations, smoke shops, and online websites. It’s highly accessible and can be all-too-easy to get a hold of (in bulk or by the bottle). But its accessibility doesn’t mean it’s safe. Here’s just a few of the reasons why:
1. Unregulated Quality: The FDA doesn’t regulate gas station drugs, meaning there’s no guarantee of the quality or purity of the product. This could lead to serious health risks since the product could contain dangerous contaminants or chemicals.
2. Unknown Ingredients: Many gas station drugs contain ingredients that aren’t labeled or disclosed to the consumer. This could lead to serious health risks if you’re unaware of the active ingredients in the product.
3. Dosing Instructions: Gas station drugs often rarely include dosing instructions, which can lead to overdosing or underdosing, both of which can be dangerous.
4. Contamination: Gas station drugs may have contaminants like bacteria, fungi, and others, which can lead to serious health risks.
5. Addiction Risk: Gas station drugs can be highly addictive, leading to a dependence on the substance. This can lead to serious health risks, like withdrawal symptoms.
Despite these challenges, you do have recovery resources to find the healing you need.
Getting Help for Drug Addiction
Tianeptine could reel you in with its legality, easy access, and promises of newfound wellbeing. But you can get out of its grip.
During or after rehab, you can also start Narcotics Anonymous (NA). As a 12-Step peer group, NA connects you to others in recovery and helps keep you accountable. Meetings take place worldwide.
Designer drugs are synthetic drugs created to mimic traditional drugs. They sell through gray areas in drug legislations—and can adapt as quickly as legislations change. For those reasons, they’re sometimes called “legal highs”.
Designer drugs carry risks health professionals and law enforcement haven’t fully realized yet. And designer drugs can evolve and change with relative ease, making all the types and variants hard to keep track of.
But for each new designer drug, a way to heal exists. For example, you can go to rehab for designer drug use.
What Exactly Is a Designer Drug?
Here, designer doesn’t mean fancy. The “designer” class of drugs just means someone designed the drug to act in a certain way1. It also means it was designed to skirt the law through cracks in controlled substance legislations.
They’re sold in packaging that says they’re “not for human consumption,” which can keep their manufacturers somewhat safe from legal trouble.
Some designer drugs began as a research project2. Shady scientists can hijack the research made on the brain and tailor a drug to have a particular reaction. Designer drugs originated overseas, produced in places like China and Europe before shipping to America.
Young teens and military members use designer drugs1 more often since they don’t always appear in drug tests. The packaging and names of designer drugs also cater to young teens, with bright colors, fun designs, and names like Green Giant and Joker.
Are Designer Drugs The Same As Synthetic Drugs?
Synthetic drugs don’t always have illegal connotations, as designer drugs do. For example, morphine is a synthetic drug. Though someone could abuse it, morphine wasn’t designed, manufactured, and sold with that in mind.
Designer drugs specifically mimic other illegal drugs—but with chemical properties most toxicology screens won’t notice. Chemicals like fentanyl, morphine, and LSD would show.
And like any other drug, natural or synthetic, designer drugs come with a unique set of risks and side effects.
Common Risks And Side Effects of Designer Drug Use
No drug is without risk. But for designer drugs, their sneaky manufacturing and profit-motivated sellers create problems we’re yet to fully understand.
For example, most designer drug users don’t take just one2. They may combine 2 or more designer stimulants, or make a speedball with a depressant and stimulant. The process of making designer drugs hasn’t been regulated in any way either, meaning you could take a much higher dose than intended or something you never meant to take.
The more precise effects of designer drugs vary based on the kind you take.
The 7 Different Types of Designer Drugs
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)4 recognizes 7 different kinds of designer drugs. They might add more in the future, but for now, these 7 are what they’ve been able to identify.
The chemical compound of Spice coats plant material, making it look like marijuana. You can smoke Spice like regular weed, snort it, or eat it. Its side effects include acute psychosis, anxiety, tachycardia, confusion, paranoia, and delusions.
Phenethylamines recently hit the U.S. market after they were made to research serotonin receptors7. You can snort, smoke, inject, or swallow N-Bomb as a liquid or powder. After use, side effects like depersonalization, delirium, extreme confusion, violence, tachycardia, hyperreflexia, bizarre behavior, and heart failure can occur.
Arylcyclohexylamines
Arylcyclohexylamines cause a dissociative high. The drug compounds of arylcyclohexylamines include ketamine, phencyclidines (PCP)8, and more. PCP goes by the street name “angel dust” as it’s typically “dusted” over marijuana and tobacco before smoking. Many synthetic arylcyclohexylamines were originally designed as anesthetics. PCP began that way too, before retiring to a veterinary anesthetic for its side effects.
These designer drugs can cause violent behavior, hallucinations, amnesia, coma, ataxia, catatonia, and tachycardia.
Tryptamines
Everyone has naturally occurring tryptamines—serotonin, melatonin, and others. But synthetic tryptamines act as hallucinogens9. They typically mimic the effects of LSD and DMT (psychedelic found in plants and animals). Street names include “Foxy”, “Foxy-Methoxy”, “Alpha-O”, and “5-MEO”.
Piperazines cause many of the same effects as ecstasy10, a stimulant. Similar to ecstasy, they’re marketed toward party-goers and even created to look like ecstasy. Its slang names include “party pills”, “Jax”, “Legal E”, “Flying Angel”, and “Pep X”.
After taking piperazines, which come as a pill or powder, you might experience seizures, hallucinations, kidney failure, and respiratory acidosis.
Pipradrol
Pipradrol, a stimulant11, was first used as an antidepressant. It was also used to treat dementia and obesity. But pipradrol was quickly recalled due to its potential for abuse. Its effects mirror amphetamines—without some of the undesirable side effects. Pipradrols suppress appetite and don’t cause noticeable overexcitement, like other stimulants.
Pipradrol’s street names include MRD-108 and Alpha. Its toxic effects include hallucinations, death, anxiety, nausea, and convulsions.
Cathinones
Cathinones mimic cocaine12, ecstasy, and MDMA as designer central nervous system stimulant. They’re commonly called bath salts and cause a sense of euphoria. Being marketed as a designer drug, you can find bath salts online, in gas stations, smoke shops, and adult stores.
Other street names include “Bliss,” “Blue Silk,” “Glass Cleaner,” and “Super Coke.” The active ingredient in cathinone comes from a khat plant. Scientists synthesized a drug based on the khat plant to form bath salts, which look like small, opaque rocks. Taking bath salts can cause psychosis, confusion, violence, hypertension, seizures, death, paranoia, and delusions.
The makers of designer drugs suggest they’re a fun alternative to “real” drugs. Or, a way to take drugs without getting caught—or without accidentally hurting yourself.
Most designer drugs are supposed to be addictive1. What begins as an experiment or coping tool can spiral out of control and into addiction. Because, with the easier accessibility of designer drugs, feeding the habit isn’t too difficult. Finding a reason to stop could feel unnecessary.
But you can.
Getting Help for Designer Drug Use
Designer drug addiction often responds well to the same treatments used for natural drug addictions. Some benzodiazepines can help1 with long-term treatment and withdrawal.
Some patients confront their need for treatment in an emergency room. An ER can get you stabilized and ready for the next steps in treatment, like a residential rehab with 24/7 support.
In treatment, you’ll likely have group and individual therapy to address the thoughts and behaviors behind your addiction. You might also join 12 Step meetings, which encourage you to find support in your higher power and in your peers. Many rehabs take insurance to make the cost of care more affordable. And your family can heal with you too, since most rehabs also offer family services. Treatment for designer drug use has the potential to unlock a life of recovery. To learn more about your recovery resources, you can browse our list of rehabs with reviews, pricing, insurance information, and photos.
The most addictive drug varies from person to person. Some genetic mutations make certain drugs more addictive than others. Or, you might find yourself drawn to a seemingly “less addictive” drug, like nicotine, that feels just as powerful as a narcotic.
With that said, scientists have narrowed down a few of the top addictive drugs. Their addictive potential comes from reactions, communications, and changes in the brain.
But for each addictive drug, you have resources for recovery. You can speak with your care team to decide which route of treatment works best for you—like going to rehab.
Pure heroin looks like a white powder and tastes bitter. Impure heroin is called “black tar” for its sticky feel and dark color (from impurities).
You can snort powdered heroin or smoke it. For black tar heroin, you can inject it into your veins or muscles once it’s been dissolved and diluted.
Heroin absorbs into mucous membranes in your nose and lungs—or, if you inject it intravenously, it dissolves directly into your bloodstream.
Once ingested, heroin bonds to mu-opioid receptors in your brain and activates them2, which turns off GABAergic neurons. GABAergic neurons keep dopamine from rushing along your reward circuit. Once the opioid receptor turns GABAergic neurons off, dopamine runs free, which causes a rush of euphoria and a strong sense of general well-being.
Activating the reward system like this tells your brain opioids are about as great as it gets. Add in the distressing withdrawal symptoms, and getting more can feel like an urgent need. And as you keep taking heroin, you’ll need higher doses to feel the same high as your first time2—which means you’ve built up a tolerance.
Much of heroin’s danger lies in this rapid high-low pendulum swing. Soon, you might need high doses to keep from feeling sick. Trying to chase your first high, you might accidentally overdose.
As a depressant, alcohol suppresses the central nervous system. And, alcohol is both socially accepted and easy to get—a tricky combination. Alcohol causes a sense of happiness and well-being5, which activates your brain’s reward system. It sees alcohol as medicine and, eventually, as something you inherently need to survive.
Because of its addictive nature and easy access, alcohol is one of the most dangerous substances to abuse6. Over half the visits to emergency rooms have something to do with alcohol. It’s also one of the 2 most-used substances, the other being nicotine.
Different alcoholic drinks have different levels, or percentages, of alcohol. For example, an alcoholic seltzer drink is usually 5-8% alcohol; in something like vodka, the rate goes up to 40%.
As with illicit drugs, you can build a tolerance to alcohol. So, you might need to add a splash of vodka to your seltzer or have an extra glass of wine to feel how you’re used to feeling on alcohol. The longer this continues, the more you’ll need to drink.
Withdrawals include insomnia, anxiety, tremors, and seizures. For many, safely detoxing from alcohol requires medical supervision.
Smoking a cigarette or vaping can enhance the pleasure of other activities7, like watching a movie, partying, having a cup of coffee, or listening to music. Even though nicotine only adds to these activities, your brain still associates it as the source of joy in those situations. And so, you learn to keep smoking, subconsciously chasing satisfaction.
What used to be fun and motivating might seem boring or too mundane without the added boost from nicotine, so stopping can be challenging7. You might even feel like nothing’s enjoyable without smoking. That’s because nicotine represses your natural dopamine-release functions, and once they’ve been suppressed for so long, it can take time for your brain to adjust and provide its own.
Though unpleasant, nicotine withdrawals won’t hurt you8. You may have a bad headache and experience cravings. You might also feel more anxious and hungry. But all withdrawal symptoms pass with time.
Some benzodiazepines can cause dependence faster than others. But usually, people use them with another drug9 to balance or complement other effects. Alcohol and benzos, for example, produce an enhanced calm but can dangerously suppress the central nervous system.
The benzodiazepine Rohypnol, AKA roofies, acts as a powerful sedative. Some misuse benzos like Rohypnol against others. But usually, benzodiazepines appeal for their countering effects against opioids and for self-sedation.
Benzodiazepine withdrawals9 can feel extremely uncomfortable. You could experience nightmares, anxiety, insomnia, psychosis, hyperpyrexia (extremely high fever), and convulsions. For those reasons, detoxing under medical supervision is a safer option.
Methamphetamine looks like a white powder11 or crystal-like rocks. It’s relatively easy to make and cheap to buy. Many pseudo-scientists make methamphetamine in discreet labs, usually hidden off the beaten path. But most meth comes from larger labs in Mexico and overseas countries.
Methamphetamine releases dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine10, which contribute to pleasure, satisfaction, and alertness. Using methamphetamine for pleasure can cause binges, since the desired effects only last a few minutes. And because meth is one of the cheaper stimulants and easy to get, feeding the binges might not seem like a problem.
But, as with other drugs, your brain changes with repeated doses. You might build up a tolerance12, prompting higher doses. Your brain may also stop producing dopamine and serotonin on its own.
Methamphetamine withdrawals12 can cause cravings, depression, anxiety, violent behavior, confusion, insomnia, hallucinations, delusions, and psychosis.
Cocaine prevents the reuptake of dopamine14, meaning dopamine stacks up on dopamine receptors. This sends an intense rush of pleasure and stimulates the entire reward pathway15, causing your brain to see cocaine use as intrinsically rewarding. Even the sights, sounds, and places associated with cocaine use can trigger the need for a dose.
As with many other drugs, you can become used to the effects of cocaine, or “tolerant”. You’ll need more and more to feel the same high as your first time. This puts you at risk for an overdose. New dangers also lie in adding vermisol to cocaine15, which is used as a cutting agent. Sometimes, fentanyl even makes its way in.
The membranes in your lungs absorb crack cocaine18 easily and quickly, resulting in an almost immediate high. The high goes away faster than powder or liquid cocaine, which could prompt a binge—smoking until you run out of crack or money.
Similar to benzodiazepines, barbiturates are a depressant19 generally used for anxiety, headaches, seizure prevention, and insomnia. Those who misuse this prescribed medication usually do to counter the effects of other drugs—typically stimulants like cocaine.
Overdosing on barbiturates19 causes your heart rate to rise, your breathing to slow, and your body temperature to lower. Overdoses can also cause comas and death.
But methadone does have an addictive element. The usual dose for OUD management ranges from 60+mgs20. Sometimes, patients in treatment buy extra doses from others or hoard doses to eventually get a euphoric effect from methadone.
Taking too much methadone can cause dangerous effects, especially if you’re on other medications. Signs and symptoms of an overdose20 include dizziness, slurred speech, unconsciousness, slow pulse, shallow breathing, tiny pupils, and frothing at the mouth.
Weed produces a sense of relaxation22 and a milder feeling of euphoria. Weed can also make you pretty hungry (or, give you the munchies) and laugh easily. You’ll experience these effects right away if you smoke weed.
Eating it slows the onset by a half hour or more, which could prompt you to redose, thinking it’s not working. Taking too much can cause anxiety, fear, paranoia, and panic22—the opposite of what weed usually feels like. Extremely high doses can even cause acute psychosis.
Starting weed at a young age leads to a higher risk of addiction24. But anyone at any age can find themselves addicted, meaning they’d feel withdrawal symptoms and be completely unable to stop—even when they know they should. In states that don’t monitor distribution, the potency of THC continues to rise too. This creates consequences scientists and health professionals haven’t fully realized yet.
But for each substance and its potential for addiction, you have opportunities to recover.
Find Effective Drug Addiction Treatment Near You
The most addictive drug could vary widely from person to person. While one person might struggle to stop smoking cigarettes, someone else might not feel able to stop drinking—but drinking isn’t a problem for the first one.
Fortunately, treatment for drug addiction caters to this variance. You can get the care you need at a residential rehab, outpatient facility, or detox unit. Your care team can help you decide which type and level of care will best meet your needs. To see a comprehensive collection of rehab facilities, you can browse our list of drug addiction rehabs to see photos, prices, reviews, insurance information, and more.
If you’re thinking about stopping alcohol, drugs, or prescription medications, you might be wondering if withdrawals can potentially be fatal—and that’s a valid and important concern. The honest answer is yes: Withdrawal from certain types of substance use can be deadly without medical care.
But what’s equally important is knowing you don’t have to face withdrawal alone or without help. Addiction-specialized healthcare professionals know how to keep you safe during this process. Thousands of people get through withdrawal successfully every day with the right support and care.
Some withdrawals feel very uncomfortable, but don’t pose serious health risks. Others, like alcohol and benzodiazepine withdrawal, can cause life-threatening complications. The key is to get the right medical care for your situation, plus support for lasting recovery from addiction.
Here are the real risks of withdrawal, what makes some substances more dangerous than others, and how medical detox can keep you safe.
What Causes the Symptoms of Withdrawal?
Your brain and body are incredibly good at adapting. When you use alcohol or drugs regularly, your system learns to work around these substances. Your brain chemistry actually changes to maintain balance despite the presence of drugs or alcohol.
When you stop taking substances, your body has to relearn how to function without them. This adjustment period is what causes withdrawals.1 Your nervous system, which got used to the depressant effects of alcohol or the stimulating effects of cocaine, suddenly has to recalibrate.
The severity of your symptoms depends on a few factors: how much you’ve been using, how long you’ve been using, and your general state of wellness. Some people experience mild discomfort, while others can face serious medical complications.
Withdrawal is nothing to be ashamed of—it’s a normal biological process. Your body is simply trying to return to balance. And with the right medical support, that process can be managed safely and comfortably.
The Risks of Withdrawal: What You Need to Know
Not all withdrawals carry the same level of risk. Some substances cause uncomfortable symptoms that might feel awful, but won’t endanger your life. Others can trigger medical emergencies that require immediate professional help.
The main factors that affect your risk level include:
The type of substance you’ve been using
How much you typically use
How long you’ve been using it
Your general state of health, age, and any underlying medical conditions also matter. People who use multiple substances may have additional complications.
Note: Never attempt at-home detox for alcohol or benzodiazepines. These substances can cause fatal withdrawal complications like seizures. Professional medical supervision prevents death and dramatically increases your chances of successful recovery.
1. Alcohol Withdrawal: Serious Risks You Should Know About
Alcohol withdrawal can be deadly, making it one of the most dangerous substances to stop without medical supervision. Research shows that severe alcohol withdrawal complications2 can be fatal in 1–5% of cases without proper medical care.
The danger comes from alcohol’s pronounced effects on your central nervous system. During active alcohol addiction, your brain compensates by increasing activity to balance out alcohol’s depressant effects. If you suddenly stop drinking, your brain activity can spike to dangerous levels.3
Most alcohol withdrawal symptoms start within 6–12 hours after your last drink. Early symptoms include:
Shaking
Sweating
Nausea
Anxiety
These might feel manageable, but they can be warning signs of more serious complications to come.
Delirium Tremens (DTs)
The most dangerous complication is called delirium tremens, or DTs. This life-threatening condition typically develops 48–72 hours after stopping alcohol. DTs affects about 3–5% of people going through alcohol withdrawal,4 but has a mortality rate of 35% without treatment.
Signs of DTs include:
Severe confusion
High fever
Rapid heart rate
Seizures
Hallucinations
Extreme agitation
Disorientation
This is a medical emergency requiring immediate hospital care.
Professional alcohol detox prevents these complications through careful monitoring and medications. Doctors typically use medications like benzodiazepines that can safely suppress the dangerous brain activity that causes seizures and DTs. Anti-seizure medications, IV fluids, and other supportive care keep you stable during the most dangerous period.
Benzodiazepine withdrawal is just as dangerous as alcohol withdrawal—sometimes even more so. If you’ve been taking benzos like Xanax, Ativan, or Klonopin regularly, stopping suddenly can be very dangerous. This is true whether you’re taking them as prescribed or using them recreationally.
Your brain becomes physically dependent on benzodiazepines faster than you might think. Even people taking prescribed doses for just a few weeks can experience dangerous withdrawal symptoms. The longer you’ve been taking them and the higher your dose, the greater your risk.
Unlike other drugs, there’s no safe way to stop benzos cold turkey.8 Your brain needs time to readjust. Trying to tough it out at home isn’t brave; it’s potentially deadly.
What Benzo Withdrawal Looks Like
Early benzo withdrawal symptoms might seem manageable at first. You might feel anxious, have trouble sleeping, or notice hand tremors. But these can be warning signs that more serious complications are coming.
Seizures can happen anywhere from 1–10 days9 after stopping, depending on which medication you were taking. Short-acting benzos like Xanax cause withdrawal faster, while long-acting benzos like Klonopin have a delayed but potentially longer withdrawal period.
Other dangerous symptoms include:
Severe confusion
High blood pressure
Rapid heart rate
Catatonia (being unable to move or respond) in extreme cases
Some people experience what feels like electric shocks through their body or become hypersensitive to light and sound.
Benzo Withdrawal Takes Time
Unlike alcohol or opioids, benzo withdrawal can last weeks or even months.10 This extended timeline is why medical supervision is so important. You need a slow, careful tapering schedule that gradually reduces your dose over time.
Doctors typically reduce your dose by small amounts every week or 2, giving your brain time to adjust. This withdrawal process might feel frustratingly slow, but it’s the safest way to avoid life-threatening complications. Rushing the process can trigger seizures even weeks into your taper.
3. Opioid Withdrawal: Usually Not Fatal, But Still Dangerous
Withdrawal from opioids (like oxycodone, hydrocodone, and fentanyl) typically isn’t life-threatening, but some describe it as feeling like the worst flu they’ve ever had. While rarely fatal on its own, opioid withdrawal does carry some serious risks that make medical supervision important for your safety and success.
The main fatal risk during opioid withdrawal is severe dehydration. Excessive vomiting and diarrhea can cause dangerous fluid and electrolyte imbalances. This risk is highest in settings without adequate medical care, such as when you’re attempting detoxification alone at home.
Research shows that deaths during opioid withdrawal are rare but usually result from complications of dehydration,11 especially when combined with underlying heart conditions. People with existing health problems or co-occurring disorders may face higher risks during drug withdrawal.
Opioid Withdrawal Symptoms
Withdrawal symptoms can start within 8–24 hours12 after your last opioid use, depending on the specific drug. Short-acting opioids like heroin cause withdrawal symptoms sooner, while longer-acting drugs like methadone have a delayed onset but longer duration.
These symptoms peak around 72 hours and gradually improve over 5–10 days.
The psychological discomfort of withdrawing from opioid dependence often proves more challenging than the physical symptoms. Intense cravings and feelings of hopelessness can be enough to drive many people back to drug use. Studies show that over 90% of people who attempt opioid detox without medical support relapse within the first week.14
Heroin Withdrawal
Heroin withdrawal follows a similar pattern to other opioids but tends to be more intense due to its rapid onset and short duration. Heroin withdrawal symptoms typically last 4–10 days15 for the acute phase, though some people experience lingering effects for weeks or months.
After heroin withdrawal, many people struggle with post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS). This includes ongoing mood changes, sleep problems, and cravings that can last for months. Knowing this ahead of time can help you set realistic expectations for recovery.
Withdrawal Risks of Other Substances
Not every drug has fatal withdrawal risks, but that doesn’t mean going it alone is a good idea. Let’s talk about what to expect from other common substances.
Stimulants: Cocaine and Methamphetamine
The good news is that stimulant withdrawal won’t cause seizures or put you in the hospital. The bad news is that it can make you feel deeply depressed and exhausted.
When you stop using cocaine or meth, your brain’s reward system essentially crashes. You might sleep for days, feel no pleasure in anything, and experience intense cravings. The biggest danger isn’t physical—it’s the risk of severe depression and suicidal thoughts.16
Prescription Medications
These risks depend entirely on what you’re taking. Antidepressants can cause “brain zaps”17 and flu-like symptoms. Some blood pressure medications can cause dangerous spikes if stopped suddenly. Even seemingly harmless medications can have withdrawal effects.
Never stop prescription medications without talking to your doctor first. They can create a safe tapering plan or switch you to an alternative.
Polysubstance Abuse (Dependence on Multiple Substances)
Dependence on more than one substance makes withdrawal less predictable and more dangerous. When your body is trying to adjust to losing multiple drugs at once, the interactions can be complicated.
Maybe you mix alcohol and benzos, or use heroin and cocaine together. Each substance affects your body differently, making withdrawal medically complicated. This is a process that’s best handled by professionals.
What to Expect in the Stages of Withdrawal
Withdrawal typically happens in stages. Knowing what’s coming can help you prepare mentally.
Acute Withdrawal
This is the intense phase most think about when they hear “withdrawal.” Depending on what you’re coming off of, acute withdrawal can last anywhere from a few days to several weeks.
Your body is doing the heavy lifting of physical adjustment during this time. This phase usually feels the worst, but keep in mind that it’s temporary, and a monumental step toward reaching your goal of staying sober.
Post-Acute Withdrawal
Post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS) is a set of symptoms that are not as intense as acute withdrawal, but can last much longer. Not everyone experiences PAWs, but for those who do, it can interfere with their sleep, mood, and energy levels for months after quitting substances. This can also affect people in addiction treatment and early recovery.
Fortunately, most rehab programs have supports in place to help you manage symptoms and rebalance your systems so you can get the most out of your treatment program experience. Some people say IV drip thearpies like NAD+, for example, help their bodily systems repair faster after substance abuse.
When You Should Get Immediate Medical Attention for Severe Withdrawal Symptoms
Some withdrawal symptoms mean you need medical attention right away—not tomorrow or after you “see how it goes.” These symptoms require immediate medical care:
Seizures
Chest pain
Difficulty breathing
Severe confusion
Fever over 101°F
High blood pressure
Rapid heart rate
Seeing or hearing things that aren’t there
Making Withdrawal Safer: Your Options for Support
Withdrawal doesn’t have to be as painful as it may seem. There are proven ways to make the process safer and more comfortable—and make you much more likely to succeed.
Medical Detox Programs
Medical detox isn’t just for people with severe substance use disorder. These programs provide 24/7 medical supervision, medications to ease symptoms, and emotional support when you need it most.
Detox center teams know exactly what to watch for and can intervene before complications become more serious. Some centers even provide therapy to help support your emotional and mental health throughout the process. While some residential treatment centers have detox facilities on-site, other facilities can refer you to treatment after you complete detox.
Medication-Assisted Treatment
There’s no shame in using medication to help with withdrawal. Doctors have safe, effective medications that can eliminate or significantly reduce withdrawal symptoms.
For alcohol, medications like naltrexone can reduce cravings. For opioids, buprenorphine or methadone can stop withdrawal symptoms completely. These are evidence-based medical tools that give your brain time to heal.
Comprehensive Care for Lasting Recovery
Getting the support you need to successfully get through withdrawal is hugely important to your healing process. But detox is just the beginning, not the finish line. Getting the substances out of your system is step one; learning to live without them is the real work.
Most people who successfully recover connect detox to ongoing treatment like rehab, therapy, support groups, and lifestyle changes. Professional programs make this process more comprehensive and can smooth out the transitions between each stage.
Look for a detox center near you to explore your treatment options and take the first step toward changing your life.
FAQs
Q: Can withdrawal symptoms be life-threatening?
A: Yes, withdrawal from alcohol and benzodiazepines can be fatal due to complications like seizures and cardiovascular problems. Opioid withdrawal is rarely fatal but can cause dangerous dehydration. Always seek medical supervision for any substance withdrawal.
Q: What is the most serious withdrawal symptom associated with alcoholism?
A: Delirium tremens (DTs) is the most dangerous alcohol withdrawal complication. It includes severe confusion, high fever, rapid heart rate, and can be fatal in 35% of cases without medical treatment. DTs typically occur 48–72 hours after stopping alcohol.
Q: How could someone die during opiate withdrawal?
A: While opioid withdrawal is rarely fatal, death can occur from severe dehydration caused by excessive vomiting and diarrhea. This risk is highest when attempting withdrawal without supervision by medical professionals or in settings like at home or in jails where adequate medical care isn’t available.
Q: What are heroin withdrawal symptoms?
A: Heroin withdrawal symptoms include severe muscle aches, restless legs, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, intense cravings, goosebumps, runny nose, and insomnia. Symptoms typically begin 8–24 hours after last use, peak around 72 hours, and last 4–10 days for the acute phase.
Q: What are the stages of withdrawal?
A: Withdrawal occurs in 2 main stages: acute withdrawal (the intense physical symptoms lasting days to weeks) and post-acute withdrawal syndrome or PAWS (longer-lasting mood and sleep issues that can persist for months). The timeline varies by substance and individual factors.
Q: How bad do withdrawals hurt?
A: Withdrawal discomfort varies depending on the substance you’ve been using. Opioid withdrawal is often described as feeling like severe flu symptoms. Alcohol and benzo withdrawal can include painful symptoms and even life-threatening complications. Medical supervision can ensure safety by monitoring symptoms and providing medications to reduce pain and psychological discomfort.
Films and TV shows tend to shape how culture views a certain subject (or profession). Recently, the idea of therapists, mental health, and addiction in pop culture became more mainstream. However, some films and shows do more harm than good—overdramatizing addiction and mental health, or just poorly representing it.
Others capture the rawness, truth and importance of addiction and mental health.
All the Beauty and the Bloodshed
Winning an Oscar for best documentary, All the Beauty and the Bloodshed recounts photographer Nan Goldin’s experience with addiction. She depicts her addiction to prescription painkiller OxyContin, and her frustration with the Sackler family.
America’s Opioid Crisis
All the Beauty and the Bloodshed shows that Nan’s addiction began after an injury. Doctors prescribed a common medication at the time, OxyContin – which is highly addictive if taken incorrectly1. It contains oxycodone, which causes a high similar to heroin.
Nan, like many others, became addicted to OxyContin after a perhaps thoughtless pain management plan. Nan formed P.A.I.N.2, Prescription Addiction Intervention Now, to “speak for the 250,000 bodies that no longer can.”
The Sackler family, owners of Purdue Pharma, received backlash for pushing OxyContin prescriptions when they perhaps weren’t needed. Nan worked to get museums and other Sackler-supported institutions to publicly separate from the family.
Therapies for opioid addiction could range from talk therapies to contingency management plans, which offer rewards for each step you complete in treatment. Talk therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) will help you work through the thoughts and emotions causing your behaviors. Then, you’ll learn new ways to process and manage what you feel.
You’ll learn coping tools for the future, relapse prevention strategies, and typically engage in an aftercare program to keep you well supported.
All the Beauty and the Bloodshed explored prescription medication addiction. Other nominated movies this year blazed new trails, like The Whale.
The Whale Explores Grief And Binge-Eating
The Oscars nominated Brendan Fraser for Best Lead Actor. The Whale depicts Charlie’s (Fraser) journey through binge eating, grief, and depression. His coping mechanism began after the death of his partner.
The story highlights the power of grief and the hold of eating disorders, and how they can function as a coping tool. Different characters in the film try to help Charlie, but as it often is, his grief is persistent.
What Is Binge Eating Disorder?
Binge eating is eating without control4—it might feel impossible to stop. Sometimes, after binging, a purge happens; this is the pattern of bulimia nervosa5. You might purge through throwing up, taking laxatives, excessive exercise, or starving yourself. It’s meant to “undo” the binge. Not every binge eater purges, though.
Binge eating might be your coping tool, especially if you’re dealing with something as powerful as grief.
Grief And Depression
Depression is a stage of grief6, as proposed by Kübler-Ross. In The Whale, Charlie mourns the loss of his partner, who died by suicide. Depression became a strong stage in his mourning.
The film suggests binge eating became Charlie’s own way of committing suicide.
Getting Help for Grief And Depression
There’s help for the millions of others like Charlie. Grief and depression can weigh heavily—sometimes unbearably so. But you do have options to heal.
Complicated grief therapy (CGT)7, for example, can help with grief and all its stages. Using loss- and restoration-focused care, “the therapist works to facilitate the progress of grief to help the client come to terms with the death.”
Both To Leslie and Blonde highlight drug and alcohol addiction. They were also both nominated for Best Leading Actress in the 2023 Oscars. Ana de Armas played Marilyn Monroe in Blonde, and Andrea Riseborough played Leslie in To Leslie.
To Leslie depicts a mother’s struggle with addiction, spurred on by a seemingly-ideal lottery win. Leslie reaches new lows and eventually seeks help for her daughter’s sake and herself.
Blonde retells the life story of Marilyn Monroe, who tragically and famously died after an overdose.
Drug And Alcohol Addiction: Not Just for The Famous
Movies like Blonde make addiction seem almost ritzy—something only people with deep pockets can do. Then, To Leslie goes and proves that wrong. So which is true?
It’s both.
Addiction doesn’t discriminate. In each movie, despite the contrasts in leading women, their reasons for substance abuse were similar. The case remains true for many today. Stressors, mental illnesses, or trauma can start a habit you can’t stop on your own.
Stories like Leslie’s and Monroe’s can help the larger public see this through a cleaner lens. Addiction wasn’t a moral failing of either woman. It was how they coped.
But there’s more than one way to find that same sense of control. Treatment can help you see that.
Depending on your situation, you might find an intensive outpatient program (IOP) or partial hospitalization program (PHP) more suitable. Each of these programs provides effective treatment, and you get to go home at night. IOP is less intensive, usually lasting 3-5 hours a day, while PHP could go for 5-8.
In these treatment settings, you’ll learn relapse prevention skills and work on the thoughts behind your behaviors. Rehabs typically offer a variety of therapies to meet your needs.
You can browse our list of rehabs to see reviews, pricing, and insurance information, and more.
Homelessness and addiction are related. Despite this relationship, the correlation is not a certainty. But many think they are, so myths and speculations abound:
Myth 1: “All homeless are addicts. They just need to stop using and things will get better.”
Myth 2: “Addicts always become homeless. It’s their fault.”
Myth 3: “Homeless people are violent because they’re always on drugs.”
Research, time, and empathy have proven both statements (and related ones) wrong. But homelessness and substance abuse do connect in some ways.
Looking at the numbers, you can see addiction and homelessness connect. Addiction isn’t always the cause, but it definitely can be—and vice versa.
How Does Addiction Lead to Homelessness?
Addiction doesn’t exclusively lead to homelessness, but it can cause it. Economic statuses, marital statuses, family relationships, and social-economic factors can all make addiction a cause of homelessness.
As an example, someone making minimum or median income would feel the financial effects of addiction almost immediately. As their limited income depletes, paying rent gets harder.
Many homeless adults don’t have the option of staying with family when they can’t afford rent. Their loved ones may have cut them off, moved away, or passed on. Their only viable option could be living in a shelter or on the street.
…And Does Homelessness and Drug Use Lead to Addiction?
Homeless people may also start using substances to stay awake, sleep, or stay energized when they’re malnourished. Drug addiction can become a crutch for living homeless that takes up the funds, time, and energy they could otherwise use to get help. Homeless people might also run into legal trouble and tarnish a clean record.
And even though help exists, it’s not always easy for this population to get it.
Understanding The Challenges And Seeking Help
Whatever the cause may be of addiction and homelessness, getting help has its challenges. A lack of money, support, and knowledge leaves many thinking there’s no way out.
But there is.
Barrier #1: Shelter And Safety
Getting help for addiction might not seem like a top priority if you don’t have somewhere safe to stay. You might be more concerned with getting cover, keeping yourself safe from others, and keeping yourself out of trouble. You likely wouldn’t have much time or mental energy to focus on treatment.
Not all homeless people have access to shelter, even temporary overnight lodging. If they do find shelter, it’s rarely long term.
Having a home base, even if it’s a temporary living situation in a shelter, can help your fight-or-flight mode ease down. Then, thinking about help and taking the next steps might not seem so unfeasible.
Barrier #2: No Social Support Network
Many homeless adults don’t have anyone to help them help themselves. They don’t have anyone cheering them on. Getting help rests almost entirely on their shoulders, which can be overwhelming.
And, if addiction is the norm in your community, you might lose what little social support you have if you stop. This could be the case for many homeless people. Even when they want to stop, change their lives, and get help, they might feel pressured to keep using.
Barrier #3: Mental Illness And The Effects of Addiction
Mental illnesses like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression, and PTSD can prevent homeless individuals from wanting–and getting–help. Treatment for these conditions may also be difficult to maintain. Homeless people might miss treatment sessions, have to relocate, or feel unable to add repeated treatment to their lifestyle. These factors can make healthcare providers less willing to work with the homeless population1.
Active addiction could also make getting short and long-term help difficult.
But for each barrier to treatment, even if they seem insurmountable, you have opportunities to reach them. Help awaits.
Find Support for Homelessness and Addiction
Homelessness and drug addiction don’t have to be your story.
You can begin your recovery journey by finding shelter, if you’re living unsheltered. Some shelters take in men only or women only, while others welcome all genders. Others specifically welcome teens and runaways. Here’s a few options to consider:
Covenant House helps teens and young adults experiencing homelessness and trafficking.
ShelterListings lists shelters available in your city and state.
The Salvation Army provides emergency, long-term, and transitional shelter across the U.S.
While shelters offering treatment options for substance use disorders (SUDs) aren’t as common as regular homeless shelters, they do exist across America. Most of these SUD-specific shelters provide medication-assisted treatment8 (MAT) for opioid use to combat the growing opioid epidemic. They also provide encouragement, hope, and can lower the mortality rates of addiction and overdose. You can also find treatment in a residential rehab center as your journey continues. To see rehabs that treat drug and alcohol addiction, you can browse our list of centers with pricing, reviews, photos, and insurance.
Cocaine doesn’t have to control your loved one. The first step to their recovery might be recognizing signs of use, and then you can help them find a rehab for cocaine addiction.
You both have resources for recovery. But the more you know about cocaine use, and how to spot it, can help you help the ones you love.
How to Spot Cocaine Use
Spotting cocaine use can be tricky. It has a seemingly endless list of slang names and pseudo-identities, making it hard to decipher what your loved one might be talking about. They could hide their behavior with more than sneaky names, too. But there are signs to look for1.
Physical Signs
Dilated pupils
Lack of appetite—it might seem like they barely eat
Rapid weight loss
Poor sleep
Disheveled appearance, lack of hygiene
Emotional And Mental Signs
Paranoid without reason
Hyperactivity—“bouncing off the walls”
Irritability
Anxious, more so than usual
Extreme startle reactions, like jumping at the sound of a cabinet shutting
Along with knowing the signs of cocaine use, you can also familiarize yourself with the street names for cocaine.
Slang Names for Cocaine
The nicknames for cocaine2 might surprise you. They’re creative, to put it positively. And they change based on the form of cocaine (crack, regular cocaine) and what it’s mixed with.
There’s a lot to keep track of, but knowing even just a few can help.
Snow
Stardust
Stash
Bouncing Powder
Coke
Coca
Flake
Devil’s Dandruff
Florida Snow
Joy Flakes
You can also educate yourself on cocaine itself, and how it affects the mind and body.
Neurotransmitters like dopamine jump between nerves and target cells. If the receptors aren’t working, all the received dopamine has nowhere to go—causing the high. Altering the usual transmission of dopamine can actually change the structure and function of your brain over time.
The crash, or comedown, from this high can quickly prompt a redose, sometimes until supplies or money run out. This is considered a binge1.
You can ingest cocaine in multiple ways1. Some snort the white powder up their nose. Or, you might mix it with water and inject the mixture into a vein, using a syringe. If it’s crack cocaine, you can smoke it.
For crack cocaine, you might see some of these slang terms:
Rock
Moon Rock
Apple Jack
Dice
Sleet
Yahoo
Yale
Top Gun
Base, Basing
Mucous membranes absorb cocaine and crack cocaine7. You have a huge plane of mucous membrane in your lungs—the alveoli responsible for bringing oxygen to your blood. The inhaled crack smoke absorbs into the alveoli in the lungs rapidly, causing a nearly immediate high.
Cocaine use can lead to heart problems8, like cardiac arrest and strokes. Inhaling it as crack can cause respiratory conditions. Snorting it could completely degrade your nasal passage over time.
Cocaine use can also have unpredictable effects, usually caused by what it’s been cut with. The cutting agent could be harmless, but that’s not always the case.
What Is Cocaine Cut With?
Dealers may cut cocaine to up their profit10, selling a “watered down” version to unsuspecting buyers. Powder cocaine could be cut with baking soda, caffeine, sugars, or anesthetics. Visually, you’d likely never know it wasn’t pure cocaine.
You can also mix cocaine with other drugs for new, sometimes preferred, effects.
Cocaine Mixtures
Users seeking a different high mix cocaine with other substances, like marijuana and tobacco. Nicknames for these mixtures include Woo-Woo, Woolies, Candy Flipping, Cocoa Puffs, and Boy-Girl.
Certain blends, like alcohol and cocaine, are notably more dangerous. Cocaine and alcohol react12 and form a heart-toxic chemical, cocaethylene. Heroin and cocaine mix to form a speedball9, or an opiate and depressant blend. But cocaine wears off faster than heroin, potentially slowing your breathing to null as the full sedative effect of heroin hits.
No mixture is predictable, or safe. Neither is cocaine by itself. But, for single and blended use, you can find recovery.
Your loved one will most likely need to detox from cocaine in a safe, clinically monitored setting. There, they’ll have constant supervision, comfort medications, and begin the therapeutic healing process. This could be at a detox center or a residential rehab with on-site detox.
Once cocaine has left their system, inner healing work can begin.
Therapy for Addiction
Therapy can address and heal the causing factors of addiction. It can also motivate and empower your loved one to commit to their recovery, even when it gets hard.
Behavioral therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can challenge unhelpful thoughts and beliefs15. You’ll learn to shift your perspective of yourself to one that’s more positive. Rather than thinking “I’ll never get better”, CBT would challenge the thought with “Why not?”.
Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT)16 addresses black-and-white thinking. Your loved one can accept the problem of cocaine use and know they can get better. DBT can help with relapse too, as it helps patients identify unhelpful thoughts that could lead back to old coping mechanisms.
The 12 Steps
The 12-Step program offers a place for members to connect and recover in a respected treatment program. Members follow 12 steps together, learning responsibility, accountability, and forgiveness. And the 12 Steps can run in and out of treatment—you don’t have to be in rehab to find a local group to attend.
The 12 Steps are often called AA (alcoholics anonymous) meetings. For cocaine use, you’ll likely see them called CA (cocaine anonymous). Each uses 12-Step practices to help members stay accountable and sober.
Aftercare
Contingency management (CM) can inspire greater dedication, during and after residential treatment. CM programs usually give out money, snacks, or vouchers as a reward13. And since you’ll actually get a reward for staying sober, attending recovery meetings, and going to treatment, you might find yourself more motivated to do it.
Your loved one can also keep attending 12-Step meetings as a form of aftercare. If they go to a residential rehab, they might have the opportunity to attend alumni groups, too.
Continued therapy and medications, if prescribed, can both contribute to long-term success. That’s why they’re both common forms of aftercare for cocaine addiction. If your loved one goes to rehab, they might offer continued 1:1 therapy with the same therapist. If not, they’ll likely connect you to further therapy as part of their discharge service.
Find Power Through Recovery
If you think your loved one is using cocaine, know that they, and yourself, have recovery resources. They can find new power and hope through recovery—addiction isn’t the end.
You can browse our list of rehabs for cocaine to see pricing, reviews, insurance, and photos of each facility.
Gardening can be more than a relaxing pastime. It also has clear mental health benefits—and it even supports addiction recovery. Rehabs with horticultural therapy help patients get grounded, literally. This treatment can inspire an appreciation for nature, give you a new hobby, and help you get to know yourself again.
Horticultural therapy looks different for everyone. In some programs, you’ll tend to a small window box of herbs. Others, like Mountainside Treatment Center, have more outdoor space for clients to explore.
What to Expect in HT, Whether Your Garden’s Big or Small
Specially trained therapists facilitate HT2 in rehab. You might see them one on one, or meet with a group of your peers. Treatment takes place in a natural setting, like a greenhouse, outdoor garden, or vegetable patch. In any of these places, you’ll learn about gardening and what different plants need to survive. Then, you’ll put it into practice.
Like most complementary therapies, HT also invites you to process your feelings. You might talk while you’re watering, or check in after you finish weeding for the day. Specifically, gardening teaches patients to be mindful.3 This skill is hugely important during addiction recovery.
How Can Gardening Help With Addiction?
Plants don’t judge you.4 They don’t know if you have an addiction or any other diagnosis. The way you treat them is the only thing that matters. And what’s more, they depend on you for care. You’ll learn how to show up for them every day, doing your best even if you feel your worst. And that skill can help you commit to every phase of addiction recovery.
“This lesson that all things must grow, live, perish, and in turn be put back into the land is a part of our holistic outlook on recovery and living.”
In their program, gardening becomes a metaphor for your personal growth. The act of starting rehab can be a challenge, even before you begin treatment. HT reminds patients that letting go of the past is empowering. And what comes next can be beautiful.
Enlightened Recovery in Egg Harbor City, New Jersey shows clients how gardening echoes the cycles of recovery.
The Benefits of HT in Rehab
Rehabs around the world use horticultural therapy to treat mental health issues, including addiction. And even after treatment, the benefits of gardening can support your ongoing recovery.
“Everything you do in the garden is an act of love.”
Gardening lets patients connect to nature. Every day you can see, feel, and even taste your own impact on the world around you. At rehabs like Mountainside Treatment Center, that perspective is crucial. Sheree Surdam, overseer of their horticultural therapy program,10 explains why.
Gardening gives “people a sense of purpose and stewardship over the natural world,” she says. “Everything you do in the garden is an act of love.”
Root Yourself in Recovery
A healthy plant is tangible. When you smell a rose you grew, you’re breathing in joy of your own hard work. And by learning to nurture your garden, you can learn to nurture yourself.
Addiction and mental health problems can affect anyone, even the rich and famous. But if you’re used to a high standard of living, you might worry about giving up comfort during inpatient treatment. Celebrity rehab centers offer the perfect solution. These luxury facilities provide top-notch health care while maintaining the comforts you enjoy in daily life.
What Makes Celebrity Rehabs Special?
Celebrity rehabs combine effective treatment with luxury experiences. At these centers, you might go whale watching, take a sunset yacht ride, or enjoy skydiving adventures. Many look like high-end resorts or tropical getaways from the outside. But inside, they offer much more than a fancy vacation.
These facilities maintain strict privacy measures to protect their famous clients. Most have security teams, private rooms, and confidentiality agreements for all staff. Some centers don’t even have map listings, to keep their location secret from the public and media.
The best celebrity rehabs focus on both comfort and effective treatment. They employ highly qualified therapists, doctors, and support staff. Many offer personalized treatment plans tailored to your unique needs.
Celebrity Rehab Centers Around the World
You can find celebrity rehabs around the globe, with a wide variety of treatments and amenities. Whether you prefer the tropics, a mountain retreat, or a private island oasis, there’s most likely a treatment facility that meets your needs.
1. Exclusive Hawaii Rehab
This oceanside center prioritizes privacy with a gated residence hidden from the road. A security team guards the property 24/7. The center treats a maximum of 7 clients at once, offering 3 room options: shared, private with shared bathroom, or private with en suite.
Exclusive Hawaii Rehab offers naturopathic and holistic therapies for drug addiction and mental health. They provide nutritional counseling, IV therapies, and traditional Hawaiian Ho’oponopono sessions. Clients can keep up with work during recovery, with access to phones, laptops, and dedicated workspaces.
When you’re not in therapy, you can feed manta rays, take cooking classes, visit waterfalls, or simply relax on the beach.
2. Passages Malibu
Located on the sunny coast of Los Angeles County, Passages Malibu focuses heavily on individual therapy. Clients receive 60-80 hours of one-on-one therapy each month. Famous past clients include Mel Gibson, Andy Dick, and Stephen Baldwin.
Passages doesn’t use 12-Step methods. Instead, they see substance use disorder as a treatable condition with root causes that can be addressed. Their holistic approach includes hypnotherapy, acupuncture, and massage alongside traditional talk therapy.
The center offers shared or private rooms with access to lounge areas and multiple pools. On-site chefs prepare nutritious meals customized to your dietary needs.
3. Cirque Lodge
In the pristine nature of Utah, Cirque Lodge provides substance abuse and co-occurring disorder recovery in a lodge-style setting. Famous clients have included Cara Delevigne, Demi Moore, Lindsay Lohan, and Kirsten Dunst.
Cirque Lodge incorporates the 12 Steps along with other evidence-based therapies. They also offer unique experiential treatments like equine therapy. Clients enjoy private bedrooms with en suite bathrooms in a cozy environment.
The campus provides plenty of opportunities to enjoy nature, with stunning views and outdoor activities in the sunny Utah weather.
4. NEOVIVA
This Swiss rehab center operates discreetly within a hotel on Lake Lucerne. With no signage or staff uniforms, clients look just like any other hotel guest. Treatment sessions take place in a private section away from other guests.
NEOVIVA maintains a 1:3 staff-to-client ratio and treats just 5 clients at a time. Each private room overlooks the lake. Clients have access to all hotel amenities, including a sauna, restaurant, and outdoor pool. You can even bring your pet.
Their holistic approach includes wellness treatments like yoga, breath work, and Qigong. Weekend activities might include forest hikes, trips to nearby villages, and time at the famous lake.
5. AToN Center
Located on 10 acres in San Diego, AToN Center provides privacy and luxury. They offer both 12-Step and non-12-Step approaches. Their treatment combines evidence-based, holistic, and trauma-informed therapies.
Clients receive 4 hours of therapy daily, including 3 hours of group therapy and 1 hour of individual therapy sessions. Family therapy is available weekly. The center doesn’t restrict access to devices as long as they don’t interfere with treatment.
Holistic treatment options include weekly acupuncture, massage, personal training, yoga, and hypnotherapy. Clients can also enjoy hiking, painting classes, meditation, and Reiki energy healing.
6. Istana Bespoke Health
Istana takes privacy to the extreme by treating just one client at a time. They have locations in Ibiza, Bali, and Barbados, each offering a private villa for recovery. Family members can join if the treatment team agrees it would be helpful.
The program offers completely customized treatment using evidence-based approaches like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Privacy measures include unmarked villas, private airport pickups, and staff trained in confidentiality.
Each client receives support from a butler, personal chef, and life coach, among others. Free-time activities include island tours, cooking classes, music making, and dance lessons.
7. Clinic Les Alpes
A luxury chalet in the Swiss mountains, Clinic Les Alpes treats addiction, mental health disorders, eating disorders, burnout, and more. Their world-renowned practitioners create personalized treatment plans using advanced testing and assessments.
Clients enjoy private bedrooms and amenities like a sauna, swimming pool, mountain views, and a gym. Every aspect of treatment is tailored to individual needs, including nutritional care.
The stunning Alpine setting provides a peaceful backdrop for recovery, away from the pressures of public life.
8. Raindrum
Raindrum offers ultra-private mental health and addiction treatment in various settings. Clients choose between several private residences, either on the beach or in the countryside. All therapy takes place one-on-one, including talk therapy and personal training.
This center treats addiction along with co-occurring conditions like burnout, depression, and anxiety. They offer experiential therapies like surf therapy, equine therapy, dance, and photography, as well as creative options like art therapy, pottery, and language learning.
Treatment is completely individualized, with staff coming to your residence rather than meeting in a clinical setting. A full support team includes housekeepers and a personal chef.
9. The Sanctuary Vancouver Island
This bespoke center offers high-end treatment for various needs. Beyond addiction and mental health, they focus on chronic pain management, post-operative care, and weight stabilizing.
The Sanctuary Vancouver Island combines evidence-based and alternative treatments, such as CBT with transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). More than 100 on-call specialists support your recovery process, from chiropractors to psychiatrists.
Clients stay in private residences on Vancouver Island near the shore, in the forest, or somewhere in between. Between sessions, you can enjoy meals from your personal chef, go whale watching, or explore by seaplane.
Finding Recovery as a Celebrity
Getting help for addiction doesn’t have to mean giving up luxury or privacy. These exclusive drug rehab centers prove you can heal while maintaining comfort and discretion.
The most effective addiction treatment centers combine evidence-based therapies with holistic approaches tailored to your needs. They maintain strict confidentiality via security measures, unmarked facilities, and staff training. And after treatment, you’ll take valuable coping skills with you, whether you’re heading back to the spotlight or to your private life.
Ready to start your journey back to well-being? Visit our collection of luxury treatment centers to find the perfect match for your needs and lifestyle.
FAQs
Q: How effective are celebrity rehab centers in treating addiction?
A: Celebrity rehab centers can be highly effective when they combine luxury with evidence-based treatments. They typically employ qualified professionals and maintain low client-to-staff ratios. Success rates vary by individual, but many clients find the personalized approach and comfortable environment help them engage better in treatment.
Q: What can I expect at a luxury rehab center?
A: Expect private accommodations, gourmet meals, and amenities like pools and spas. Treatment usually includes a combination of individual therapy, support groups, and holistic options like massage or acupuncture. Many centers allow access to phones and laptops, with recreational activities available. Low staff-to-client ratios ensure personalized care.
Q: How do I find the best celebrity alcohol rehab center?
A: Consider your needs, budget, and preferred location. Look for centers specializing in alcohol addiction with experienced, licensed staff and evidence-based approaches. Ask about detox if needed. Read reviews and ask questions about outpatient program options, privacy policies, and aftercare planning.
Q: How much does it cost to stay at a celebrity rehab center?
A: Mental health or substance abuse treatment costs at luxury rehabs typically range from $30,000 to $100,000+ per month, depending on the center and services provided.
Drug addiction and schizophrenia can feel pretty similar. And if you have both, it might be hard to tell where one condition ends and the other begins. Learning about that dynamic is a key part of recovery. That knowledge can empower you to find the right type of treatment for schizophrenia and substance abuse.
Does Drug Addiction Cause Schizophrenia?
In short: no, taking drugs won’t give you schizophrenia. But addiction and schizophrenia have similar causes—and similar symptoms. The same factors that make you vulnerable to one can also make you vulnerable to the other.
Over time, you’ll need more and more of a drug to achieve that feeling. Reward might be replaced with relief. And as your tolerance goes up, you’ll likely develop a more severe addiction.
In the long term, addiction continues to destabilize your reward system. Because of this, ongoing drug use can exacerbate your schizophrenia symptoms. This complicates the process of recovery.
If you’re recovering from both these conditions, you might benefit from treatment for co-occurring disorders. Within that framework, there are several specific therapies that can help.
MI isn’t technically a type of therapy. Instead, it’s a conversation style that many different clinicians apply to treatment. Therapists, doctors, nurses, and others can all use this approach. During MI, they’ll use active listening, pointed questions, and other techniques. This can help you find your personal spark of motivation to heal.
Contingency Management
For patients with both schizophrenia and addiction, contingency Management (CM) can make recovery more likely. This approach rewards your participation in treatment. For example, you might get a gift card, voucher, or even cash for going to a therapy session. You and your care team will write and honor a treatment contract, defining prizes for each activity. In most cases, the value of your rewards will go up over time. For many people, this agreement motivates positive changes.
Sessions of DBT can feel more like classes than therapy. You’ll meet with a group, go through a workbook, and even do homework. You might also have 1:1 sessions with your therapist. Patients learn practical skills in 4 modules: mindfulness, interpersonal effectiveness, emotion regulation, and distress tolerance. These coping strategies can empower you to live a healthier life.
Instead of trying to change your feelings, CBT shows you new ways to respond. Future episodes of psychosis might always trigger drug cravings. But you’ll learn how to accept that feeling and move on, instead of falling back into addiction.
Specialized Care in Rehab
Schizophrenia is often a lifelong condition. Instead of “fixing” all of your symptoms, treatment empowers you to manage them. These strategies are far more sustainable than addiction. And in an effective rehab program, you can heal from both at the same time.
