WHAT WE TREAT
Trying to come off depressant drugs can feel impossible. Seeking out professional support at a residential drug treatment centre gives you the best possible chance of recovery. Our bespoke treatment programmes help you safely withdraw, separate your sense of self from the addiction, and restore your health.
Prescription depressant drugs, such as benzodiazepines (e.g., Valium, Xanax, and Ativan), barbiturates, and certain sleep medications, are commonly prescribed to manage anxiety, insomnia, and muscle spasms. While these medications can be effective when used as directed, they also carry a high risk of dependence and addiction.
Depressants work by slowing down the central nervous system, inducing relaxation and sedation. Over time, the brain adapts to their effects, leading to tolerance and requiring higher doses to achieve the same relief. This cycle increases the risk of dependency, withdrawal symptoms, and long-term mental health challenges such as depression, memory impairment, and emotional instability.
Misuse of prescription depressants can result in drowsiness, confusion, impaired coordination, and, at high doses, dangerously slowed breathing. Long-term abuse can alter brain function, leading to cognitive difficulties, mood disorders, and heightened anxiety when not using the drug. Withdrawal from these substances can be particularly severe, with symptoms including seizures, panic attacks, and rebound insomnia, making professional medical support essential for safe recovery.
Similar to many other addictions, the most notable sign of dependency is continuing to use the substance despite its negative consequences on your life. Being unable to stop using opioids despite wanting to quit is another key indicator. Other symptoms include:
- Persistent sadness, anxiety, and mood swings.
- Increasing the dosage to achieve the same calming or sedative effects.
- Experiencing withdrawal symptoms, such as agitation, insomnia, or physical discomfort, when not taking depressants.
- Withdrawing from social interactions and spending more time alone.
- Avoiding situations or people where depressant use is not possible.
- Neglecting personal hygiene, responsibilities, or once-enjoyed activities.
- Persistent fatigue, drowsiness, and cognitive fog.
Additional symptoms include:
What are the physical symptoms of prescription depressant addiction?
- Withdrawal symptoms: Severe muscle aches, sweating, nausea, vomiting, and tremors when not taking prescription depressants.
- Dizziness and coordination issues: Frequent falls or trouble maintaining balance due to sedative effects.
- Slurred speech: Noticeable difficulty speaking clearly, especially after taking depressants.
- Chronic fatigue: Persistent drowsiness, lethargy, or lack of energy.
- Slow heart rate and breathing: Depressants can dangerously slow down vital functions, increasing the risk of overdose.
What are the emotional symptoms of prescription depressant addiction?
- Using prescription depressants to escape stress, anxiety, or emotional pain.
- Intense guilt or shame about dependency and its impact on daily life.
- Emotional numbness or detachment from reality while under the influence.
- Frequent mood swings, including irritability or agitation when not using.
- Withdrawing from social interactions and losing interest in relationships.
What are the psychological symptoms of prescription depressant addiction?
- Craving depressants to feel “normal” or avoid withdrawal symptoms.
- Experiencing confusion, forgetfulness, or disorientation.
- Obsessing over obtaining and using depressants, often neglecting responsibilities.
- Difficulty concentrating or making decisions due to cognitive fog.
- A growing sense of hopelessness or feeling trapped in dependency.
If these signs sound familiar, we can help guide you toward recovery.
understanding your dependencies
Types of prescription depressant drug addictions we can help you with
We understand unequivocally that pain is universal, but recovery has to be personal.
Ambien dependency can quietly take hold, disrupting your sleep, daily life, and overall well-being. Seeking professional help is a crucial step towards regaining balance; it’s not a sign of weakness but a courageous choice to prioritise your health and long-term recovery.
Through our combination of detoxification, intensive psychotherapy, and complementary therapies, we work alongside you every step of the way to help you regain control of your soma dependency. You don’t have to face this journey alone; our team is here to guide and support you towards lasting recovery.
We can help you overcome your Klonopin addiction, no matter how difficult it may seem. Our personalised treatment programmes are designed to ensure a safe and controlled withdrawal from Klonopin, addressing any lingering cravings and equipping you with the tools to manage anxiety and stress without the need for medication.
We understand how overwhelming it can feel to be struggling with codeine addiction. At Paracelsus Recovery, we are here to help you find a path to recovery. We can help you address the underlying reasons and support you in building a life that does not require drugs to be lived.
Valium, though commonly prescribed for anxiety and sleep disorders, can be deceptively addictive. What often starts as a legitimate prescription can gradually lead to dependency as the calming effects become increasingly necessary to manage stress or anxiety. At Paracelsus Recovery, we recognise how easily Valium use can spiral into addiction, and we are here to offer a compassionate, holistic treatment approach. Our team will support you in safely navigating withdrawal, addressing the emotional and psychological factors underlying your dependency, and helping you build healthier coping strategies to reclaim control of your life.
Suboxone is commonly prescribed as a treatment for opioid addiction, but it can also lead to dependency if not carefully managed. Though it may help alleviate withdrawal symptoms from more potent opioids, Suboxone itself can become a crutch, making it challenging to break free from the cycle of addiction. At Paracelsus Recovery, we recognise the complexity of Suboxone dependency and take a personalised approach to help you taper off safely and effectively.
Vicodin is often prescribed for pain relief, but its combination of acetaminophen and hydrocodone can be highly addictive, even when taken as directed. The relief it offers can quickly evolve into a need for more, leading to tolerance, dependency, and a dangerous cycle of misuse. At Paracelsus Recovery, we understand how easily addiction to Vicodin can take hold, especially when it starts with a legitimate need for pain management.
If you don’t see the drug you’re struggling with listed here, don’t worry. At Paracelsus Recovery, we’re experienced in treating a wide range of dependencies, and we understand that every addiction is unique. Our expert team is here to help, and we can create a personalised treatment plan tailored to your specific needs. Please reach out to us; we’re here to support you on your journey to recovery.
bespoke treatment
How we treat prescription depressant addiction
We can’t tell you exactly what your four-week stay will involve because every journey to recovery is unique. At Paracelsus Recovery, we create entirely bespoke treatment plans, ensuring that your detox and healing process is as safe, comfortable, and effective as possible. Our approach prioritises harm reduction, supporting you in regaining control over your well-being on your own terms.
Each day is thoughtfully structured to integrate carefully tailored therapies that address the physical, emotional, and psychological aspects of prescription depressant dependency. Whether focusing on withdrawal management, emotional resilience, or long-term stability, our team is here to guide you every step of the way. See below for more details.
Our approach considers the whole person: mind, body and soul
At Paracelsus Recovery, we do not just treat symptoms; we focus on sustainable healing. Through intensive testing, we design a holistic treatment programme that addresses the environmental, psychological, physical, and social root causes of your prescription depressant dependency.
Our approach prioritises a safe and carefully managed detox, followed by a range of cutting-edge therapies to address the root causes of your addiction while restoring your psychological, cellular, and biological well-being. To treat depressant prescription addiction, we incorporate therapies such as Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), sleep therapy, biofeedback, nutritional therapy, massage therapy, acupuncture, and art therapy.
Beyond addressing the causes of addiction, we also focus on treating the wider impacts of substance abuse, such as any neurological or physiological damage. These are treated alongside with the underlying factors driving your addiction. Typically, our treatments involve intensive psychotherapy, biochemical restoration, and complementary therapies, all aimed at strengthening the mind-body connection, reducing stress and supporting your recovery.
15+ team members, all dedicated to your health and well-being
We are the only residential prescription addiction treatment centre in the world to provide a minimum of 15 dedicated professionals to each client.
Guiding your recovery are a team of more than 15 dedicated professionals made up of world-renowned doctors, therapists and addiction specialists. The around-the-clock treatment they provide throughout your stay with us includes supervision of your medically safe withdrawal from drug(s). A live-in therapist will be a crucial member of your team who is there to provide you with emotional support 24/7. No matter the unique blend of treatments you receive, they will be delivered with the Swiss medical excellence we are known for.
Comprehensive programmes as unique as you are
Guided by our core principles of empathy, innovation and pragmatism, we curate our comprehensive and intensive treatment programmes to suit you and your needs. Those needs may be physical and psychological, e.g., if our team identifies nutritional deficiencies or signs of other addictions during the assessment period, your programme will be shaped with these in mind. However, those needs can be practical too, such as when a client needs to work or travel during their stay with us.
We can provide treatment for prescription depressant addiction and any co-occurring mental health conditions at our private residential drug treatment centre in Zurich.
FURTHER READING
