Struggling with substance use disorder is always difficult. When you have a serious problem and dependency on drugs, it can take hold of your life and cause you to quickly spiral down. You might not know where to turn at first. You may even take some time to realize that you have a real problem. Once you realize you’re addicted to drugs, it can shake you to your very core. You might go through various phases such as denial, shock and eventually, acceptance. However, once you come to accept your situation, you can seek help. The first step you need to take to become sober is to enter a facility to do detox.
What is the Detox Process?
Detoxification, also known as detox, is the process that a person goes through to have the drugs eliminated from their body. This is performed in a drug rehab facility that’s often fully staffed with experienced medical personnel trained in the area of medication management. Certain medications may be administered while you undergo the detox process to ease your withdrawal symptoms as the drugs are removed from your system. Depending on the type of drug you have abused, how long your addiction has lasted and how severe your problem, you might experience either mild, moderate or severe withdrawal symptoms. However, when medication is administered to help manage those symptoms, you should have an easier time.
Should You Enter a Detox Program or Drug Rehab?
It’s common for there to be some confusion surrounding detox programs and drug rehab. Although many people use those terms interchangeably, they are not the same. The detox process is the first step toward treatment and recovery for substance use disorder. On the other hand, drug rehab is a step that happens later while you are past detox. Depending on a variety of factors, it’s typically done in an inpatient, outpatient or partial hospital setting. If your drug addiction is particularly serious, you will need medication management as mentioned above. You are continuously supervised by staff personnel who can assist you if and when you need help. However, your withdrawal symptoms will be eased by the medication. If you are addicted to heroin or other opioids, you will have to go through steps during your detox since it can be dangerous to just quit taking the substance all at once.
How Long Does Drug Detox Take?
Once you have decided to enter a facility to undergo detox to get back to your sober self, you might wonder how long the process takes. As the first step in drug rehab treatment, detox can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks. However, no two people are alike, so it’s important to understand that while one person might successfully complete detox in two days, it might take you several weeks to complete the process. There are a variety of factors that determine how long detox might take. It should also be done in the right facility that’s equipped with medical personnel who can assist you. Overall, the following can determine how long your detox might take:
- The specific drug you have abused
- How much of the drug you have taken
- Your age
- Your gender
- Your overall health
- Whether you have any co-occurring mental health conditions
- How long you abused the drug
What Can You Expect from Detox?
Medication management detox can help ease the symptoms of withdrawal. Depending on the nature of your substance use disorder, you might expect a certain timeline from your detox. If you have abused prescription drugs like sleeping pills, it could take a few days or around up to a week for your withdrawal to subside. However, you might experience insomnia, but you can get medical treatment to help with that. Withdrawal from opioids is more severe and takes longer to subside. If your addiction was on the mild side, your withdrawal symptoms might last for a couple of weeks.
However, if you had a more serious problem with opioids, it could take several months before your symptoms truly ease. You would have to go on medication management to wean yourself off the substance for a safe and effective recovery. Detox from other prescription drugs such as anti-anxiety medications can result in withdrawal symptoms easing in a few days to around two weeks. If you abused stimulants such as cocaine, it’s common to experience intense cravings as you go through withdrawal. Your symptoms can ease after a week to two weeks, but the cravings may continue for several months. Ready to get help? Call us today at 833-497-3812 to get started.