Advanced Therapy

IV Therapy for Faster, Better Detox

IV therapy during drug or alcohol detox delivers the hydration, vitamins, and electrolytes your body needs to recover from withdrawal more quickly and comfortably. By replenishing essential nutrients lost during prolonged substance use — IV therapy helps stabilize mood, reduce fatigue, and support organ function.

Accredited Medical Expertise

Understanding IV Therapy

Patients usually start detox dehydrated, vitamin-deficient, and battling electrolyte imbalances — their bodies working overtime just to keep up. Without IV therapy, withdrawal can leave you weak, foggy, and more vulnerable to complications.

By delivering fluids, electrolytes, and key nutrients like B vitamins directly into your bloodstream, your body recovers faster and the detox process is safer and more tolerable.

Replenishes Critical Nutrients

IV therapy restores vitamins and minerals depleted by substance use—such as thiamine, folic acid, and magnesium—which are essential for brain and nerve function during withdrawal.

Improves Comfort and Energy

Hydration and nutrient replacement can ease fatigue, headaches, and muscle aches, helping you feel physically stronger and more alert as you move through detox.

Supports Safer, More Effective Detox

By stabilizing your body’s chemistry, IV therapy reduces the risk of severe withdrawal symptoms and supports your organs, making other treatments during detox more effective.

How IV Therapy Works

Assess Your Needs

A nurse evaluates your physical status, withdrawal symptoms, and lab work to determine if IV therapy will be beneficial.

Prepare the IV Solution

A “banana bag” typically contains fluids, B vitamins, folic acid, magnesium, and electrolytes to target deficiencies caused by substance use.

Administer the IV

One bag of solution is delivered directly into your bloodstream via an IV in your arm for fast absorption and immediate support.

Monitor Your Response

Medical staff track your vital signs and comfort level. The process usually takes 1-2 hours, but the infusion rate can be adjusted per patient.

Repeat Throughout Detox As-Needed

IV therapy may be repeated daily for the first 3-5 days or longer in pronounced deficiencies.

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Experts in Fast, Safe Medical Detox

Detoxes at our treatment centers are overseen by a skilled medical team with decades of combined experience guiding patients through safe, comfortable withdrawal. They combine IV therapy with other proven medical interventions, to keep you stable, hydrated, and nourished. It’s nothing like detoxing on your own.

Dr. Karen Canulla, MD

Medical Director

Dr. Jungjin Kim, MD

Medical Director

Vladislava Culina

Director of Nursing

Most Common Substances Requiring IV Therapy

IV detox is widely recognized as one of the most effective ways to bypass the digestive system and achieve nearly 100% nutrient absorption — vital for those with malnutrition or dehydration caused by substance use. It is beneficial for anyone going through withdrawal from drug or alcohol use, though certain substances are especially hard on the body.

Alcohol

Chronic alcohol use depletes B vitamins — especially thiamine — which can lead to dangerous neurological issues like Wernicke’s encephalopathy (aka “wet brain”). IV therapy replenishes thiamine, folic acid, magnesium, and electrolytes while restoring hydration, reducing the risk of seizures, confusion, and other complications.

Opioids (Heroin, Fentanyl, Prescription Painkillers)

Opioid withdrawal often causes severe nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, leading to dehydration and electrolyte loss. IV fluids replace what’s lost, while added magnesium and vitamins support muscle function, reduce cramping, and help maintain strength during withdrawal.

Benzodiazepines (Xanax, Ativan, Valium)

“Benzo” detox can cause increased anxiety, tremors, and in severe cases, seizures. IV therapy keeps electrolytes stable, prevents dehydration from sweating or poor intake, and supports the nervous system with essential nutrients during this fragile period.

Stimulants (Cocaine, Methamphetamine, Prescription ADHD Medications)

Stimulant use and withdrawal can deplete hydration and key minerals through increased heart rate, sweating, and poor nutrition. IV fluids and electrolytes help restore balance, while vitamins support brain function and mood stabilization.

Polysubstance Use

When someone has been using multiple substances, deficiencies are often more severe. IV therapy can be tailored to address a broader range of nutrient and hydration needs, helping the body recover faster and preparing it for the next steps in treatment.

A Non-Hospital Advanced Medical Detox

Detoxing in a dedicated detox facility offers more privacy, comfort, and personalized care than a hospital setting — without the noise, cost, judgement, or lack of speciality care. Despite the clear medical benefits, IV therapy is something most detox centers still don’t offer. The Haven Detox is one of the few detox facilities across the country providing hospital-standard support in a private, recovery-focused setting.

Comfortable Setting

Experienced Nurses Administer IVs

Banana Bag IV for Nutrition Replenishment

The Haven Detox Locations

At The Haven Detox, you have access to more than 20 gold-standard and innovative addiction treatment options to help you avoid ever needing to detox again. People from across the country fly into the Florida location for advanced therapies like GeneSight Testing and IV Therapy.

The Haven Detox - Arizona

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The Haven Detox - Little Rock

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The Haven Detox - New Jersey

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The Haven Detox - West Memphis

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The Haven Detox - Florida

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The Haven Detox - New England

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Treatment Success Stories

Every recovery journey is unique. Our patients share how the compassionate care, safe environment, and personalized treatments at The Haven Detox helped them find comfort, healing, and a renewed sense of health

Thomas L.

It is not hyperbole to say The Haven literally saved my life! They bent over backward to make sure I received the care I needed to begin my journey to health. The campus is very comfortable and conducive to healing.

Rashad D.

Best detox by far, very clean. They made sure I could focus on my recovery and health. They made the environment where all stresses of the world are minimized in my darkest hardest times. I recommend anyone struggling with addiction to try The Haven.

Justin

Everything was amazing from the care of the staff that was always positive and willing to help, to the nursing staff was always there to make sure you’re safe, healthy and comfortable. If you’re looking or thinking about getting help definitely check this place out!!

Insurance Coverage for IV Therapy

Because IV therapy during detox is a medical treatment — not a spa service — it’s typically covered by insurance when part of a physician-supervised withdrawal program. It is a legitimate, proven treatment for dehydration, nutrient deficiencies, and withdrawal-related complications. You can run a quick, confidential insurance check to confirm whether your policy pays for private detox. Most insurances do.

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IV Therapy Specifics

Is IV therapy safe?

Yes, when given in a licensed, medically supervised detox setting, IV therapy is considered very safe. All infusions are ordered by a provider and administered by trained nurses or doctors. Your vital signs and symptoms are monitored before, during, and after the IV therapy to ensure you’re tolerating it well.

For example, if your blood pressure drops, staff can slow the drip on the spot.

Are there any side effects of IV therapy?

Side effects are mild and uncommon. The most frequent are minor vein irritation or bruising at the insertion site. Some people notice a metallic taste during magnesium infusion or mild flushing from certain B vitamins — these usually resolve within minutes. Serious reactions, like allergic responses, are rare but are treated immediately if they occur.

What exactly is in the IV bag?

A typical IV bag for substance use detox contains:

1 liter of normal saline (for hydration)
Thiamine (Vitamin B1) – prevents alcohol-related brain damage
Folic acid – supports red blood cell production and nerve health
Magnesium sulfate – reduces muscle cramps, anxiety, and seizure risk
Multivitamins – replace a wide range of nutrients depleted by substance use

This mix is called a “banana bag” and the bright yellow color comes from the B vitamins.

What exactly is in the IV bag?

In most cases, no. But, your provider will review your medication list first. The vitamins and electrolytes in a standard detox IV bag don’t interfere with detox medications like buprenorphine or benzodiazepines, but adjustments may be made if you’re on drugs that affect fluid balance (for example, diuretics) or electrolytes (for example, certain heart medications).

Will IV therapy actually shorten withdrawal or just make it more tolerable?

IV Therapy won’t speed up how quickly drugs leave your system, but it helps your body recover faster from the dehydration, nutrient loss, and electrolyte imbalances that make withdrawal harder. For example, in alcohol detox, replacing thiamine and magnesium reduces the risk of seizures and confusion, allowing you to stabilize sooner.

How soon after admission do I start IV therapy?

Most patients start within the first few hours of admission — often right after their initial nursing assessment and lab work. If you arrive severely dehydrated or showing signs of deficiency, the IV can be started sooner.

Will I be on an IV pole the whole time, or can I move around/sleep during the infusion?

You’re not confined to standing or sitting still—you can rest in bed, read, watch TV, or even nap while the infusion runs. Nurses position the pole so you can move your arm comfortably, and if you need to get up (for example, to use the restroom), they can pause the infusion or help you walk with the pole.

Why don’t most detox centers offer IV therapy if hospitals use it as standard care?

Many detox centers are not set up for full medical services — they operate with bare minimum nursing staff. IV therapy requires trained medical personnel, sterile supplies, and lab monitoring, which adds cost and complexity. The Haven Detox doesn’t cut corners and offers plenty of other proven treatment options not available at other detox facilities either (like GeneSight Testing and Hypnotherapy).

Will IV therapy affect my lab test results?

Yes, IV therapy can temporarily change certain lab values — especially electrolytes and vitamin levels — if blood is drawn immediately after infusion. That’s why labs are usually taken before starting IV therapy or after enough time has passed for levels to stabilize.

Related Treatment Options

CBT

DBT

MBCT

ACT

Motivational Interviewing

Trauma-Focused Therapies

Psycho-Educational Therapy

Experiential Therapy

MAT

Relapse Prevention

Recreational Therapy

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