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Drug addiction is a complicated but common aspect of everyone’s lives. It should come as no surprise that the process of drug detox is equally complex.
Drug overdoses have tripled since 1990 and so it’s pertinent to put resources in for people suffering from addiction as well as those who looking to quit and are detoxing. Without help, the drug crisis will get worse.
If you or someone you know is going through a detox, it might be confusing and scary. You likely have several questions about every part of the process and since it can be a sensitive issue to navigate, the right resources are crucial.
To answer those questions, this complete guide will show you what to expect during drug detox. Read on to learn more.
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Drug detoxification is the first step to sobriety. It is allowing the drugs in your body to be removed naturally by not taking any more drugs or alcohol. The withdrawal symptoms are the most difficult part to steer while undergoing drug addiction treatment.
When you’re addicted to drugs, your body gets accustomed to having them in your body. As they are gradually removed, your brain has to adjust to balance the sudden changes. This is what causes the highly uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms.
The goal of drug detoxification is to minimize the negative effects of withdrawal comfortably and safely. The best route to go down is medical, with trained specialists in a controlled environment. You could do a drug detox at home but they are hardly successful.
The actual process of detoxification is simple but it requires particular attention and commitment. When people attempt to quit ‘cold turkey’ at home, it can lead to deadly consequences. Involving a specialist who is trained in drug detoxification is required for the safest and most effective way to treat drug addiction.
To not be in the dark, here are the steps of drug detoxification.
The initial step in drug detox is a medical assessment to get the best idea of the patient’s needs. Each drug is different and so is each person, so your needs might not match someone else’s.
An expert will ask questions, gather information, details about the addiction, and create a personal detox plan. There is no one-size-fits-all plan, especially for something that can cost a life. The medical assessment is a crucial part of detoxing.
The next step in the process is going through the withdrawal.
As mentioned previously, withdrawal occurs when your brain responds to the sudden change of not having drugs in your system anymore. This response triggers several symptoms that are difficult to deal with and another reason why medical support is necessary.
By gradually removing drugs from your system, you’ll be able to safely reduce overwhelming side effects while still cleansing your body. Despite slow removal, withdrawal can still affect you mentally, emotionally, and physically. It is an attack on all fronts so you have to be prepared.
The more mild symptoms of Withdrawal include:
As for the more serious symptoms:
You have to remember that the symptoms of withdrawals depend on the type of drug that is used. The timeline of how long withdrawal lasts also depends on the type of drug but the person as well.
Here is a general timeline of how long each category of a drug might last.
For short-acting opioids such as heroin or certain prescription painkillers, the symptoms begin 8-24 hours after the last use and they last around 4-10 days. For longer-acting opioids such as methadone, it takes about 2-4 days for withdrawal symptoms to start and they last around 10 days.
For benzos, like Valium or Xanax, withdrawal symptoms can start 2-4 days after last use and fade around 10 days. For alcohol, the symptoms of withdrawal might start after 1-2 days and last for as long as 3 days after the last drink.
Of course, this can vary but having a good jumping-off point is essential when gathering information about drug addiction treatment.
Part of the drug detoxification process is prescribing different medications. This is an important step that helps regulate symptoms and providing comfort to the patient. It might seem counterintuitive to prescribe drugs during detox but when administered by medical professionals, it is safe and effective.
Benzodiazepines help combat anxiety and irritability. One of the biggest symptoms of withdrawal from most drugs is stress and anxiety. Benzos are a sedative and addictive so medical professionals are very careful about administering this drug.
For the more physical effects of withdrawal, clonidine is prescribed. This helps reduce cramps, muscle aches, and sweating. It can also treat seizures.
Antidepressants: The brain has relied on artificial methods of happiness for so long that once it’s removed, it is easy for people to feel depressed during a detox. Antidepressants help relieve these feelings.
These are just some of the medications prescribed, different addictions require different solutions.
Drug addiction treatment isn’t solely the drug detoxification process. This is the first step in the large spectrum of rehabilitation. It’s an exciting first step!
Besides detox, you can continue treatment in several other ways. This includes counseling and therapy, nutrition and exercise programs, and support from loved ones.
Remember to be kind to yourself and that having a relapse does not make you a failure. The fact that you are taking the steps toward healing is something that you should be proud of in and of itself.
There is no doubt about it, America has a drug problem. If you are looking for drug addiction treatment, one of the first steps in drug detox.
The drug detoxification process is the first step to recovery and part of a bigger plan under rehabilitation. It involves a medical assessment, dealing with withdrawal symptoms, and finding support after the process is over.
Although it can be a difficult journey, it is worth it to start walking the path to a better and healthier you.
If you or someone you know is seeking treatment for drug addiction, be sure to check out our programs. Help is one click away.
Don’t go through the process of recovery alone. There are people who can help you with the struggle you’re facing. Get in touch with one today.
