What Is Drug Detox And What Can You Expect?

One of the first steps in the recovery process is known as detoxification, or withdrawal. What is drug detox? It can be an overwhelming process to think about, but it’s critical to addiction treatment. Let’s take a look at what it entails and what you can expect.

To speak with someone about detox options, call today!

800-996-6135

Sponsored

The Detoxification Process

Detoxification is the process by which the body rids itself of an addictive substance. It is usually done as the first step in the treatment process, and the bulk of the recovery process will follow a complete detox.

Keep in mind that detox alone is not a form of treatment, but a key part of a full treatment plan. There are three general methods of detox:

• Cold turkey detox
• Short-term medical detox
• Long-term medicated detox

“Cold turkey” detox is one that most people are familiar with, where all drug and substance usage is stopped, with no pharmaceutical assistance through the process. This can be a very dangerous process and is generally not recommended for anyone who needs to detox from drugs or alcohol. It’s always best to detox under the care and supervision of a qualified and experienced medical tea.

Short-term and long-term medical detox are gradual versions of the detox process, with medication being administered to help with the withdrawal symptoms. Long-term detox is usually recommended for individuals who use opiates and prescription painkillers, with medications like methadone being administered to combat withdrawal.

The detoxification process can be done in a rehabilitation facility, at a hospital, or at home. However, it is best not to go through the process alone, as complications from the addiction may arise or worsen during detox. Consult a medical professional before beginning the process and make sure that there is a plan in place in case before you begin.

What’s Normal?

The experience of detox is different for every person. One person might experience withdrawal symptoms that are completely different from those of another person. The amount of time that detox can take will vary based on how much of the drug is currently in the person’s system at the start of the process.

Withdrawal symptoms will depend on the type of drug, but will usually start around 12 hours after the last dose of the drug. These symptoms will vary.

Heroin withdrawal, for example, can lead to symptoms of muscle and bone pain, vomiting, cold flashes, insomnia, and restlessness. The physical symptoms may last for several days, depending on the drug. There are also psychological symptoms of withdrawal, like dysphoria and depression, which may last for several weeks.

What Should You Worry About?

Before detox begins, you should have a full medical assessment to identify any co-occurring conditions or complications of your addiction. Addiction wears away at the body, and being unprepared for the damage can cause more problems during detox. The more damage done by addiction, the higher the chances of complications occurring.

The person going through the detox should be monitored throughout the process, possibly with a medical professional on standby if emergency medical care is needed.

If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction and wants to know more about the treatment process, then consider calling 800-996-6135(Sponsored) . You will be able to speak with someone about what your options are and get more information about your recovery.