What Happens During Detox?

Coming to the realization that you need serious help is often the first step toward acknowledging that you have a serious problem with drugs or alcohol. In some cases, you need to hit rock bottom before you have such an awakening. Regardless of whether that has happened to you, once you admit the problem head-on, you are that much closer to getting the help that you need. The detox process is one of the most important steps.

What is detox?

Detox is the process that allows all of the alcohol or drugs in your system to be removed. It’s used as a part of alcohol or drug treatment to help the individual to be prepared for the rest of the rehab process so that they can stay clean and sober. It’s an essential part of rehab that can help a person to overcome their substance abuse disorder. When a person has a substance abuse disorder, their body is used to the alcohol and drugs they regularly abuse. However, during the detox process, all traces of those substances are eliminated from the body, which forces the person to have to readjust to not having them in their system. This leads to the individual experiencing symptoms of withdrawal as their body and brain try to cope with the lack of alcohol or drugs. During the detox process, certain types of medications are used in order to limit the severity of withdrawal that the person experiences. Those medications also ease the process to make it as safe as possible. Medically-assisted detox is common in drug and alcohol rehab and includes trained medical personnel on hand to tend to the individual. It cannot be stressed enough that one should never attempt to self-detox at home as it can be dangerous and unsuccessful.

What Happens During the Detox Process?

When you first enter a facility to undergo detox, intake is the first step. Your entire history will be taken and assessed. The expert will get information on your general health history, your addiction and the substance that you take and its amount. This can help the trained staff to come up with a personalized detox plan that fits your needs and can help to get you on the road to becoming sober. The withdrawal phase is extremely common once you have received medication to go through the detox process. You will begin to notice a variety of symptoms as you go through withdrawal as the drugs or alcohol are eliminated from your body.

The specific symptoms you experience and their severity depend on how long you’ve been addicted, the severity of your addiction and the substances you have abused. Your overall physical and mental health can also be a factor in how you fare during the withdrawal phase. You may experience a variety of symptoms or simply a few.

Some of the most common physical symptoms include the following:

  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Sweating
  • Headaches
  • Abdominal cramps
  • Muscle and bone pain
  • Faster heart rate
  • Higher blood pressure
  • High temperature
  • Chills
  • Runny nose
  • Exhaustion
  • Vividly unpleasant dreams

The following are some psychological symptoms of withdrawal:

  • Insomnia
  • Anxiety
  • Mood swings
  • Depression
  • Paranoia
  • Irritability
  • Confusion
  • Agitation
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Cravings for the substance

Severe symptoms include the following:

  • Delirium
  • Hallucinations
  • Seizures

In addition to the medications given to aid you during detox, you may be given other medications to help ease your symptoms of withdrawal and to help you sleep. Fully trained staff are available 24 hours per day to watch over you and ensure that you are okay during the process. They can intervene if something should go wrong and you need more thorough medical assistance.

How Long Does Detox Last?

The detox process can last anywhere from seven to 10 days, but everyone is different. Some people might need less time while others may need more time to undergo detox. Factors such as your physical and mental well-being, the substance you abused and the severity of your withdrawal can all play a part in how long your detox lasts. If you’ve decided you’re ready to get help, call us today at 833-497-3812. We are here to help you every step of the way.