Substance Use

Phenobarbital Detox: How to Detox Safely

white phenobarbital pills

Table of Contents

Get Help Now

check insurance
Check your insurance by using our Online Form
call us
Talk to someone now.
Call (855) 430-9439

How to Detox From Phenobarbital Safely

Phenobarbital is a prescription anticonvulsant medication most commonly prescribed to treat seizures and anxiety disorders.

It’s also used to help alleviate the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal from alcohol use disorder and withdrawal from other barbiturate drugs.

Even though it is a prescription drug, it is still possible to become addicted to phenobarbital and require professional intervention to stop using the drug.

Learn about phenobarbital detox and how to get substance abuse treatment help via outpatient treatment and inpatient treatment.

If you or a loved one are interested in learning more about detox programs at Zinnia Health, contact our helpline today at (855) 430-9439. Help is standing by 24/7.

Call us
Ready to get help?
(855) 430-9439
Why call us? Why call us
VIEW OUR TREATMENT CENTERS

What is a Phenobarbital Detox?

Drug detoxification, or detox, is the process of cleansing the body of a substance or substances it has become addicted to.

There are several detox treatment options, including medication-assisted treatment and supervised detox. It’s important to note that detox is not a standalone treatment but the first step in recovery.

Medical detox typically takes 5–10 days. The more severe the addiction, the longer it will take to complete the detox process successfully.

You can detox through inpatient or outpatient detox programs, but inpatient programs are the most effective because they allow you to remain in a controlled environment through the entire detox process, meaning you will not have the chance to give in to temptation and abuse phenobarbital.

When you arrive at the detox facility, you will be evaluated to see how severe your addiction is. The severity of the addiction will determine how long your detox program will be and what types of treatment should follow the detox process.

In most cases, you will still take phenobarbital during your detox from the drug; you will just take smaller amounts that are supervised. This is known as tapering off the drug, and the amount of phenobarbital you are given will decrease each day.

Sometimes medical staff will provide you with a different drug other than phenobarbital.

Throughout the entire detox process, you will be closely monitored by medical professionals to ensure your safety, comfort, and progress. 

How Long Will a Phenobarbital Detox Last?

No two phenobarbital detox and withdrawal processes are the same and vary based on a number of factors.

Every patient will receive a specialized treatment plan to ensure successful detox and recovery.

Here’s a general idea of what you can expect for how long it will take your body to complete the phenobarbital withdrawal process:

  • Day one: After 12–24 hours without ingesting phenobarbital, the body will begin to produce symptoms such as anxiety, weakness, dizziness, vomiting, and insomnia. These symptoms can last for a week.
  • Week one: At the five- to seven-day mark, significant withdrawal symptoms will start, such as body convulsions, hallucinations, delirium, seizures, and high blood pressure.
  • Week two: By week two of withdrawal, most of the symptoms will disappear, and withdrawal will become easier to manage. Some symptoms may stick around longer than two weeks.

    The factors that impact the severity of withdrawal symptoms and how long they will last are:

    • The dosage of the drug (high doses will take longer to withdraw from)
    • Length of use of phenobarbital
    • Other prescription and/or illicit drugs you were taking with the phenobarbital
    • Mental issues and co-occurring disorders
    • Your age
    • History of drug abuse
    • Mental health history
    • Physical health history
    • Overall health

    What Are the Withdrawal Symptoms During a Phenobarbital Detox?

    The symptoms of phenobarbital withdrawal syndrome are similar to those of other substance use disorders and include the following:

    • Muscle tremors
    • Restlessness
    • Fatigue
    • Nausea
    • Vomiting
    • Aches, fever, runny eyes, and other flu-like symptoms
    • Body convulsions
    • Delirium
    • Seizures
    • Hallucinations
    • High blood pressure

    These symptoms can be controlled with medical intervention under the supervision of healthcare professionals at an addiction treatment center or rehab facility. This is known as medically supervised detox. 

    Learn more about phenobarbital detox at Zinnia Health here, and contact us at (855) 430-9439 if you have questions.

    What Types of Treatment Are Used During a Phenobarbital Detox?

    Zinnia Health is a top addiction treatment provider and offers a wide range of recovery tools, including detox programs, at our state-of-the-art treatment facilities around the country.

    The benefits of detoxing from phenobarbital at Zinnia Health include the following:

    • Stop drug use and physical dependence in a safe, controlled, and supervised environment that is free of triggers for relapse
    • Detox in an environment that helps mitigate the distressing symptoms of withdrawal through support and medication
    • Psychiatric evaluation
    • Access to mental health professionals 
    • Eliminate the risk of overdose
    • Access a wide range of therapies, including group therapy, therapy with family members, wilderness therapy, and music therapy.

    Can You Detox from Phenobarbital at Home or Not?

    Due to the severity of physical and psychological withdrawal symptoms, at-home detox from phenobarbital is not typically recommended.

    Withdrawal symptoms such as seizures can be life-threatening.

    If you are prescribed phenobarbital by your doctor, you may be able to discuss gradually decreasing your dose over time.

    However, if you have been abusing your medication, or taking it with other substances, it is extremely important that you are honest with your doctor.

    How to Find a Phenobarbital Detox Center Near Me

    Zinnia Health has made it easy to find a phenobarbital detox center near you. We offer addiction treatment programs at facilities around the country.

    To find one near you, click here and type in the kind of treatment you’re looking for and your state.

    If you’re ready to stop using phenobarbital for good, Zinnia Health is here for you. We offer medically supervised detox at our treatment centers around the country.

    We also offer a wide range of outpatient programs and inpatient programs for substance abuse and mental health issues. Get in touch with us today to learn more.

    Call us
    Ready to get help?
    (855) 430-9439
    Why call us? Why call us
    VIEW OUR TREATMENT CENTERS