Detoxing From Drugs or Alcohol – What You Can Expect

Withdrawing from drugs or alcohol can be an uncomfortable and even dangerous process. It is important to detox under the care of a medical professional to ensure your safety and comfort. This is important because detox can lead to serious complications, including death. During detox, your body will go through withdrawal symptoms as it adjusts to functioning without drugs or alcohol. Here is what you can expect during drug or alcohol detox.

1. Withdrawal symptoms

They will begin within a few hours to a few days after your last drink or drug use.  Withdrawal symptoms can range from mild to severe and vary depending on the substance you’re addicted to. One of the common withdrawal symptom for people recovering from substance abuse is sleep problem which may be most extreme during the detox process. So, insomnia is a part of the detox process and along with this you may also be experiencing poor concentration, anxiety, and fatigue as a result. Additionally, your age, how long you’ve been using, the amount you typically use, and whether you have any underlying health conditions can all affect the severity of your withdrawal symptoms. You may need a medical detox that involves tapering off of your substance of abuse under medical supervision if you have a severe addiction or underlying health condition. It’s important to note that detox is not treatment, and you will still need addiction treatment after you complete detox.

2. Length of detox

How long detox takes also varies depending on the substance you’re withdrawing from. Withdrawal from some substances, such as alcohol or benzodiazepines, can be life-threatening and requires medical to ensure your safety. Detoxing from other substances, such as marijuana, may only last a few days and not require any medical care. The important thing to remember is that detox is only the first step in overcoming addiction. After you complete detox, you will still need addiction treatment to fully recover.

3. Risks during detox

Detoxing from drugs or alcohol can be dangerous and even life-threatening. It’s important to detox under medical supervision to ensure your safety and comfort. Additionally, there are certain substances, such as alcohol or benzodiazepines, that can be especially dangerous to withdraw from on your own. If you’re thinking about detoxing from drugs or alcohol, make sure to speak with a medical professional first. It’s also important to have a solid plan in place for after you complete detox, as this is when most people are at risk of relapse. This is why it’s so important to seek out addiction treatment after you finish detox.

4. Post-detox treatment

After you complete detox, you will need addiction treatment to fully recover from your addiction. Treatment typically includes behavioral therapy, medication, and support groups. Treatment can last for a few months to a year or more, depending on the severity of your addiction. It’s important to stick with treatment even if you feel better after completing detox. Relapse is common during early recovery, and treatment can help you avoid relapsing and maintain your sobriety. This is why it’s so important to have a solid plan in place after you complete detox.

5. Outpatient detox

Outpatient detox is an option for people with mild addiction who don’t require medical supervision. Outpatient detox typically lasts for a few days to a week and involves coming to a facility for treatments during the day and then going home at night. This type of detox is less expensive than inpatient detox and can be more convenient, but it’s not always the best option for everyone. If you’re thinking about outpatient detox, make sure to speak with a medical professional first to see if it’s the right choice for you. It’s also important to have a solid plan in place for after you complete detox, as this is when most people are at risk of relapse.

6. Inpatient detox

Inpatient detox is when you stay in a hospital or treatment center during detox. This is usually recommended if you have a severe addiction or underlying health condition. Some facilities offer inpatient detox programs that provide continuous medical care and supervision to ensure a safer and more comfortable detox process. Additionally, most inpatient detox programs will offer some level of addiction treatment, which can help you start your recovery journey on the right foot. This type of detox is more expensive than outpatient detox and can be less convenient, but it’s often the best option for people with a severe addiction.

Detoxing from drugs or alcohol can be a difficult and dangerous process. It’s important to detox under medical supervision to ensure your safety and comfort. Additionally, it’s important to remember that detox is only the first step in overcoming addiction. After you complete detox, you will still need addiction treatment to fully recover. By knowing what to expect and having a solid plan in place, you can make the detox process as smooth and safe as possible.