Drug and alcohol detox can be very dangerous, even life-threatening. As such, detox from drugs or alcohol should be medically assisted to manage withdrawal symptoms while being medically monitored. Detoxification refers to the process of freeing a person’s body from drugs or alcohol to start recovery. Medical detox in a drug rehabilitation facility lays the foundation for long-term recovery.

Detoxing in a safe environment means being admitted to an accredited drug or alcohol detox treatment facility. It is here that a person will begin recovering from drug or alcohol use while be watched for any health complications that may arise.

The drugs most commonly linked to withdrawal symptoms include:

The ability to manage withdrawal symptoms and overcome any physical dependency on drugs or alcohol means leaning on medical professionals. The reality is that drug or alcohol addiction impacts far more than just the brain. The cardiovascular system, heart, liver, and more are affected by substance abuse, and often, detox will involve some withdrawal symptoms.

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How Long Does Detox Last?

Withdrawal symptoms may last only a few days or up to a few months for most drugs. Many factors impact the length of withdrawal; they include:

  • Length of time person has been using (e.g., drinking for five years, or using heroin for two, etc.)

  • What drug is being used

  • How severe the addiction is

  • The number of drugs typically taken at one time

  • Method of use - smoked, snorted, swallowed, or injected

  • Any underlying medical conditions

  • Any underlying mental health issues

Someone suffering from a co-occurring mental health issue or using more than one drug will likely require a longer detox process. Generally speaking, detox lasts anywhere from seven to 14 days or up to a month.

What to Expect in Detox

It is typical for an individual to feel nervous before entering into a detox facility. Since most rehab facilities require a person is medically cleared through detox before entering, understanding what to expect in detox is helpful. The body will go through quite a journey during the detox process, as it works to function without alcohol or drugs.

The following are some of the most common side effects of withdrawal and detox:

  • Anxiety

  • Changes in heart rate or blood pressure

  • Depression

  • Erratic behavior

  • Hallucinations or paranoia

  • Issues sleeping

  • Muscle aches

  • Restlessness

  • Severe pain

  • Suicidal thoughts

  • Sweating

  • Tremors

While the above side effects are intimidating, it is essential to remember that the medical and behavioral staff will help you remain physically and emotionally secure while detoxing.  

The Detox Process

Every person will experience a slightly different detox process, so having a customized treatment plan is so important. In most scenarios, there are three main steps in the detox process. They are as follows:

  1. Assessment: upon arrival at the facility, a team of medical professionals will assess an individual for mental health and physical issues. Blood tests will be taken to screen for the presence of drugs. Finally, a person will undergo a comprehensive review of their medical, psychiatric, and drug history. From there, the addiction professional team will develop a customized long-term recovery treatment plan.

  2. Stabilization: a person will be stabilized using both medical and psychological therapy. Often this includes prescribing addiction treatment medicine to limit withdrawal symptoms and any complications.

  3. Treatment Preparation: the next phase of drug and alcohol recovery treatment is usually an inpatient rehab. As such, the detox program's end will involve discussing a person's treatment options as they enter the next steps in recovery.

Drug Detox and Alcohol Detox

Detoxing from drugs or alcohol is hard, and it can be done. Substance abuse changes the body and mind drastically, and getting back to one's healthy self can take a lot of challenging work. The good news is that there is a light at the end of the tunnel, beginning with detox.

Thinking about withdrawal symptoms scares people and even prevents them from leaping into addiction recovery treatment. It is important to move past this mental roadblock with the help of addiction professionals. As such, it is strongly recommended to avoid at-home-detox. Going through the drug or alcohol detox process alone can be extremely dangerous, even life-threatening.

Are you or a loved one struggling with substance abuse? Detox is the first step in the addiction recovery process. Our medical staff is here for you to answer any questions.