Drug Overdose & Withdrawal Emergency Care in Houston, TX
Drug withdrawal, overdose, intoxication, and serious reactions to drugs can sometimes become medical emergencies.
Ascent Emergency Room provides 24/7 emergency evaluation and stabilization for acute drug-related medical conditions in Houston. Our freestanding emergency room is located at 2280 Holcombe Blvd., Houston, TX 77030, near the Texas Medical Center and Hermann Park.
Ascent ER is an emergency room, not a residential drug detox, rehabilitation, or long-term addiction treatment facility. We evaluate and treat acute medical conditions that require emergency attention.
Walk-in 24/7.
If someone is unconscious, cannot be awakened, is having a seizure, has severely slowed or stopped breathing, or appears to have a life-threatening overdose, call 911 immediately.
When Drug Withdrawal Requires Emergency Medical Care
Withdrawal symptoms vary based on the substance involved, amount and frequency of use, length of use, other medications or substances, and the person’s overall health.
Seek emergency medical attention for:
- Seizures
- Hallucinations or severe confusion
- Loss of consciousness or inability to wake
- Difficulty or severely slowed breathing
- Chest pain or concerning heartbeat changes
- Severe agitation or unusual behavior
- Persistent vomiting or signs of severe dehydration
- Severe tremors
- Suicidal thoughts or immediate risk of self-harm
- Rapidly worsening or otherwise concerning symptoms
An Emergency Room Physician can evaluate the patient’s condition and determine what emergency testing, monitoring, treatment, stabilization, or transfer is medically appropriate.
Common Drug Withdrawal Symptoms & Warning Signs
Withdrawal can cause both physical and psychological symptoms. Depending on the substance and individual, symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, sweating, shaking, chills, muscle aches, abdominal discomfort, headaches, insomnia, anxiety, irritability, restlessness, depression, confusion, difficulty concentrating, or cravings.
Some withdrawal reactions can become medically serious. Seizures, severe confusion, hallucinations, breathing problems, loss of consciousness, severe dehydration, or major changes in behavior require prompt medical attention.
Opioid & Fentanyl Withdrawal
Opioids include fentanyl, heroin, oxycodone, hydrocodone, morphine, and other opioid drugs.
Opioid withdrawal may cause muscle aches, sweating, anxiety, restlessness, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramping, insomnia, and intense cravings.
Although opioid withdrawal is generally not considered life-threatening by itself, complications such as severe vomiting, dehydration, coexisting medical conditions, or the use of multiple substances can require emergency evaluation.
There is also an important overdose risk after stopping opioids. Reduced tolerance can make returning to a previously used amount especially dangerous.
Ascent ER can evaluate acute opioid or fentanyl withdrawal complications and determine what emergency treatment is medically appropriate.
Long-term treatment of opioid use disorder is different from emergency withdrawal care. Detoxification alone is not considered complete treatment for opioid use disorder.
Benzodiazepine & Prescription Drug Withdrawal
Some prescription medications can cause dangerous withdrawal symptoms if stopped abruptly.
Benzodiazepines can include medications such as alprazolam, clonazepam, diazepam, and lorazepam. Abrupt discontinuation after physical dependence develops can cause serious withdrawal reactions, including seizures.
Patients should not suddenly stop regularly used benzodiazepines without appropriate medical guidance.
If severe withdrawal symptoms such as seizures, hallucinations, severe confusion, breathing problems, or another acute medical concern occur, seek emergency care.
Stimulant-Related Medical Emergencies
Cocaine, methamphetamine, and other stimulants can cause serious medical or behavioral symptoms during use or afterward.
Emergency evaluation may be appropriate for chest pain, severe agitation, hallucinations, seizures, difficulty breathing, severe confusion, loss of consciousness, concerning heart symptoms, suicidal thoughts, or other acute complications.
Treatment depends on the patient’s symptoms, medical history, substances involved, and clinical findings.
Drug Overdose Signs: When to Call 911
A suspected overdose can be life-threatening.
Signs may include inability to wake the person, very slow or stopped breathing, choking or gurgling sounds, seizures, severe confusion, loss of consciousness, or unusual skin or lip discoloration.
Call 911 immediately when an overdose is suspected.
For a suspected opioid overdose involving fentanyl, heroin, or another opioid, give naloxone if it is available, call 911, and stay with the person until emergency help arrives.
Naloxone temporarily reverses the effects of opioid overdose but does not replace emergency medical evaluation.
What Happens During ER Evaluation for a Drug Emergency?
At Ascent ER, an Emergency Room Physician evaluates the patient’s symptoms and immediate medical condition.
Depending on clinical need, emergency care may involve vital-sign monitoring, medical examination, IV fluids, medication, laboratory testing, ECG testing, imaging, or other emergency interventions when medically indicated.
Not every patient requires the same testing or treatment.
It is important to tell the emergency medical team what substances were used, approximately how much was taken, when they were last used, what prescription medications are being taken, and whether drugs were combined with alcohol or other substances. Accurate information can help guide safer emergency evaluation and treatment.
After evaluation and stabilization, some patients may be discharged with appropriate instructions. If the patient’s condition requires hospital services beyond the freestanding ER’s capabilities, transfer may be arranged based on medical need and facility procedures.
ER vs. Detox Center: Choosing the Right Level of Care
Choose emergency medical care when there is an acute or potentially life-threatening problem, such as overdose, seizures, severe confusion, loss of consciousness, breathing difficulty, chest pain, severe dehydration, serious behavioral changes, or other dangerous withdrawal or drug-related symptoms.
A licensed detox, rehabilitation, or substance use treatment provider may be more appropriate for planned withdrawal management, counseling, rehabilitation, or longer-term treatment when an emergency medical condition is not present.
Ascent ER should not be used as a substitute for long-term substance use treatment.
Get 24/7 Emergency Care for Drug-Related Medical Problems in Houston
If drug withdrawal, overdose, intoxication, or another drug-related problem is causing an acute medical emergency, Ascent ER provides 24/7 emergency evaluation and stabilization in Houston.
For suspected overdose, severe breathing problems, unconsciousness, seizures, or another life-threatening emergency, call 911 immediately.
FAQs
If stopping substances causes shaking, anxiety, nausea, cravings, or sleep problems, medical detox may be appropriate. Withdrawal symptoms can intensify without supervision. Professional care helps stabilize the body safely before ongoing therapy begins.
Yes. Some withdrawals may cause seizures, dehydration, heart complications, or severe psychological distress. Medical supervision helps reduce these risks through monitoring and appropriate medications.
Withdrawal can be uncomfortable, but medical detox uses controlled medications, hydration, and monitoring to reduce symptoms such as anxiety, insomnia, and nausea. Most patients report symptoms are manageable with supervision.
Detox commonly lasts about 7 to 10 days, though duration depends on substance type, use history, and overall health status. Stabilization is the goal before beginning longer-term treatment.
Costs vary based on testing, medications, observation level, and length of care. Early detox may help reduce complications that require emergency treatment. Insurance coverage depends on the services provided.
Opioids, alcohol, benzodiazepines, stimulants, and certain prescription drugs often require monitored withdrawal. Each substance affects the brain differently, so individualized planning improves safety.
Yes. Medical Drug Detox services follow strict privacy regulations, and treatment information remains confidential in accordance with healthcare privacy laws.
Clinicians assess your medical history, health status, and substance use, then create a personalized detox plan. Medications, fluids, and monitoring help manage withdrawal symptoms while maintaining stability.
Continuous medical supervision is often provided to detect complications early and manage symptoms appropriately, supporting safety during detoxification.
Family involvement may be encouraged when clinically appropriate. Support systems can help improve emotional stability and engagement in treatment.
Detox removes substances from the body and stabilizes withdrawal symptoms, but long-term recovery typically requires counseling or rehabilitation afterward.
After detox, patients are usually referred to therapy, counseling, or rehabilitation programs to address psychological dependence and reduce relapse risk.
Many patients report improved clarity, though fatigue or mood changes may persist temporarily. Continued support helps manage these adjustments.
Ongoing therapy, medication-assisted treatment, counseling, and structured support programs may help lower relapse risk. Detox alone is rarely enough for lasting recovery.
Removing substances may improve sleep, mood, and cognitive clarity. However, underlying mental health conditions often require separate evaluation and treatment.
Yes. Emergency medical evaluation may be appropriate when drug withdrawal causes severe, rapidly worsening, or otherwise concerning symptoms. The ER's role is to evaluate and stabilize acute medical problems, not provide residential or long-term detox treatment.
No. Ascent ER is a freestanding emergency room. It provides emergency evaluation and stabilization for acute drug-related medical conditions but should not be described as a residential detox center, rehabilitation facility, or long-term addiction treatment program.
It can be. The risk depends on the substance, degree of physical dependence, medical history, other substances being used, and symptoms. Certain withdrawal reactions can cause serious complications such as seizures, severe confusion, dehydration, or other medical emergencies.
Seek emergency evaluation if withdrawal is causing severe vomiting, dehydration, altered mental status, breathing problems, significant medical symptoms, or another serious complication. If an opioid overdose is suspected, call 911 immediately and administer naloxone if available.
Ascent ER provides emergency medical evaluation and stabilization. It should not be represented as providing a scheduled, residential, or multi-day detoxification program.
Abruptly stopping benzodiazepines after physical dependence develops can cause serious withdrawal reactions, including seizures. Patients taking these medications regularly should discuss discontinuation with an appropriate healthcare professional. Seek emergency medical care for seizures or other severe symptoms.
No. Withdrawal management alone does not constitute complete treatment for opioid use disorder. Evidence-based treatment may involve medications and other services provided by appropriately qualified healthcare or substance use treatment providers.
Yes. Ascent Emergency Room is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for emergency medical conditions.
Are you looking for an emergency room in Houston, TX? At Ascent Emergency Room, we care about your health and your emergency medical needs. We are located just a little away from you and provide exceptional and comprehensive emergency care appointments for the surrounding Houston area:
- (Southampton) University Place
- Rice Village
- Bellaire
- Old Braeswood
- Gridiron
- Brookhaven
- Southside
- Riverside Terrace
- Greater Third Ward
- Greater Eastwood
- East Downtown
- Midtown
- Montrose
- Westmoreland Houston