Most people who are addicted to drugs will eventually reach a point where they want to detox. Drug detox is the first step in overcoming addiction and getting on the road to recovery. In fact, drug detox can be a difficult and dangerous process, which is why it’s important to be well-informed before you start.
The Detoxification Process: What to Expect
- The length of drug detox programs is usually tailored to each person’s individual needs, though they typically range from a few days to several weeks.
- If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction, getting help is just a phone call away, or consider trying therapy online with BetterHelp.
- Regular physical activity lowers inflammation and allows your body’s detoxification system to work properly.
- However, detox is more than staving off urges or cravings to reengage with drugs.
- Withdrawal from drugs like heroin or prescription drugs like valium can produce life-threatening seizures, while the cessation of alcohol use can result in delirium tremens.
You won’t want to—or, in some cases, physically be able to—leave the house once the symptoms intensify. Create a calming and comfortable space—detoxing is stressful, and a peaceful environment can make a big difference. Knowing what to expect can make the process less frightening and help you mentally prepare. We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies.
Why would someone have a drug detox?
The goal of detox for pregnant women is to prevent relapse and manage pain. Typical signs and symptoms of addiction include being secretive or dishonest about your drug use, mood swings or paranoia and a change in sleep habits are common, amongst many others. Our residential addiction treatment programmes typically begin with this process.
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While you might see the detox process as a means of getting the metabolites out of your system, detoxification can be very hard on the mind and body. Detoxing from alcohol is the first and most crucial step toward recovery and it is common to look for the easiest way to detox from alcohol. Central to Priory’s holistic treatment programme is your ongoing recovery. Our model is designed to solidify your recovery and minimise the likelihood of relapse. This will include therapy that helps you to understand and address the underlying issues that drug detox have led to your addiction.
- Between 2022 and 2023, deaths from drug overdose (drug poisoning) in the United States decreased (1,2).
- Under the supervision of medical healthcare professionals, medications can be used to help during detox.
- The exact length of the detox process will depend on the type of drug(s) being used and the severity of the addiction.
- Due to these risks, seeking medical advice before you attempt drug detox is often the best and safest way to ensure your success and overall well-being.
- By following these effective strategies and seeking support from loved ones, you’re taking significant steps towards a healthier, drug-free life.
- While most other drug withdrawals aren’t as dangerous, it’s always safer to talk to a medical professional before going cold turkey or trying to taper your dosage yourself.
In addition, the level of discomfort will vary per person and usually depends on the substance, duration of use, and other drug addiction treatment situational factors. Adhering to your doctor’s prescribed medication schedule (or other instructions) is crucial for preventing relapse and minimizing the risk of complications that could arise from being inconsistent. Sleep is one of your best natural ways of healing, as much of your body’s repair processes occur when you aren’t awake.
- Finding a detox program inside a rehab facility helps you be more comfortable and safe during the detox process.
- Drug detox is naturally the first step in getting help for a drug or alcohol addiction, as it’s your body’s way of self-regulating once you finally quit any drugs you were abusing.
The process can heal strained relationships, improve communication and establish boundaries. It allows the person’s family to become a vital support system, further enhancing their chances of successful recovery. While it is the most difficult step in overcoming addiction, it is important to also maintain your newfound sobriety. After detox, a good healthcare team will direct you to ongoing treatment that equips you for long-term success.
When should I seek professional help for drug detox?
Relapse rates for drug use are similar to rates for other chronic medical illnesses. If people stop following their medical treatment plan, they are likely to relapse. The safest way to undergo drug detoxification involves a comprehensive approach that prioritizes the well-being and successful recovery of individuals. During the drug detox process, your body works to eliminate the drug and its byproducts from your system. Your liver and kidneys, in particular, metabolize the drug and break it down to be expelled through urine, feces, and sometimes sweat and your breath.
What happens during a drug detox?
Recognizing the need for change in your body can be the tipping point that guides you toward the necessary professional care you or your loved ones need. Detoxification programs allow someone going through detox to do so safely under medical supervision until they have reached a point of stabilization. Different types of medications may be useful at different stages of treatment to help a patient stop abusing drugs, stay in treatment, and avoid relapse.
The duration of drug detoxification varies depending on what substance you used, how long you used it, how much of it you used, plus individual health factors (like age and genetics). In the meantime, if you experience any of the following signs during your drug detox, you should seek medical care immediately. Additionally, they can also help you ease your withdrawal symptoms; even if they aren’t deadly, many are uncomfortable, and seeking professional help can make your detox process much less challenging. While most other drug withdrawals aren’t as dangerous, it’s always safer to talk to a medical professional before going cold turkey or trying to taper your dosage yourself. As you enter the acute withdrawal phase (a few days to about a week after your last dose), drug withdrawal symptoms will reach their intensity. Your liver is still hard at work breaking down the drug and its byproducts, preparing it to leave the body through your urine and feces.
Drug tests are not just looking to detect for the active substance itself. In addition to the substance, drug tests look for specific metabolites that form in the body as your system breaks down certain drugs. In the worst-case scenario, a user attempts detox on their own and either succumbs to their health complications or ends up relapsing shortly afterward; this causes the whole cycle to begin again.