Prescription drugs fall into several categories, each with its own addiction profile, withdrawal risks, and treatment approach. Asana Recovery treats all of them — and our clinical team understands the critical differences between them.
Opioid Painkillers
Common drugs: oxycodone (OxyContin, Percocet), hydrocodone (Vicodin, Norco), codeine, morphine, tramadol, fentanyl patches
Opioid painkillers are the most commonly prescribed — and most commonly abused — category of prescription drugs. They work by binding to opioid receptors in the brain, reducing pain and producing feelings of euphoria. Tolerance develops quickly, meaning you need more of the drug to achieve the same effect. Physical dependence can develop in as little as a few weeks of regular use, even at prescribed doses.
Opioid withdrawal is intensely uncomfortable — muscle pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, anxiety, insomnia — but is rarely life-threatening with medical supervision. The bigger risk is relapse: without structured treatment, the return-to-use rate for opioid addiction is extremely high.
How we treat it: Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) with buprenorphine (Suboxone) or naltrexone (Vivitrol), combined with CBT, individual therapy, and group support. If you’re currently using prescription opioids, medical detox is typically the first step — we coordinate with trusted detox partners in Orange County.
Related: Opioid addiction treatment | Fentanyl addiction treatment
Benzodiazepines
Common drugs: alprazolam (Xanax), lorazepam (Ativan), diazepam (Valium), clonazepam (Klonopin), temazepam (Restoril)
Benzodiazepines are prescribed for anxiety, panic disorders, insomnia, and seizure disorders. They enhance the effect of the neurotransmitter GABA, producing sedation and reducing anxiety. While effective short-term, benzos create physical dependence faster than most people realize — and withdrawal can be medically dangerous, including the risk of seizures.
Benzo addiction is particularly complex because the drug is often treating a real underlying condition. Stopping the medication without addressing the anxiety or insomnia it was prescribed for almost guarantees relapse or a mental health crisis. This is exactly why dual diagnosis treatment is essential.
How we treat it: Medically supervised taper coordinated with detox partners, transition to non-addictive anti-anxiety medications (SSRIs, buspirone, hydroxyzine) prescribed by our medical team and integrated psychiatric prescribers, plus CBT and comprehensive DBT for anxiety management. The underlying anxiety disorder is treated simultaneously with the benzo dependence by the same clinical team.
Related: Benzodiazepine addiction treatment | Benzodiazepine withdrawal symptoms and timeline
Prescription Stimulants
Common drugs: amphetamine/dextroamphetamine (Adderall), methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta), lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse)
Prescription stimulants are primarily prescribed for ADHD and narcolepsy. They increase dopamine and norepinephrine levels in the brain, improving focus and energy. Misuse often begins in college or the workplace — taking higher doses than prescribed, using someone else’s prescription, or using stimulants without an ADHD diagnosis to boost performance.
Stimulant addiction creates intense psychological dependence — the crash that follows stimulant use produces fatigue, depression, and difficulty concentrating, which drives continued use. Long-term misuse can cause cardiovascular problems, paranoia, and psychotic symptoms.
How we treat it: There is no FDA-approved medication for stimulant addiction, so treatment relies on behavioral therapies — CBT, comprehensive DBT, contingency management, and medical evaluation by our team to determine whether an underlying ADHD diagnosis exists and requires non-stimulant medication alternatives (e.g., atomoxetine, guanfacine, bupropion).
Sleep Medications
Common drugs: zolpidem (Ambien), eszopiclone (Lunesta), zaleplon (Sonata)
Sleep medications (Z-drugs) are prescribed for insomnia and work similarly to benzodiazepines. While marketed as safer and less addictive than benzos, dependence develops with regular use — and withdrawal includes rebound insomnia that’s worse than the original sleep problem. Many people find themselves unable to sleep at all without the medication, creating a cycle of escalating doses.
How we treat it: Gradual taper with medical oversight, transition to non-habit-forming sleep strategies (CBT-I for insomnia, sleep hygiene protocols, medical evaluation for underlying conditions contributing to insomnia), and treatment of any co-occurring mental health conditions like anxiety or depression that may be driving the insomnia.
