Detoxification is a program for people dependent on drugs or alcohol and is the crucial first step in addiction recovery. It involves ridding the body of the substance so that withdrawal symptoms and cravings are not as intense during treatment.
Typically, it takes three to ten days to detox successfully. Detoxification may take several weeks or even months if the addiction is more severe.
Before starting the detox process, it is always best to know what to expect. This post will cover everything you need to know about the average length of detox.
Key Takeaways
Detoxification (detox) is the process of eliminating alcohol and/or drugs from the body for a smoother recovery process. Detox is used to safely control withdrawal symptoms and cravings after someone quits their consumption. Below are key points about the detox process that are discussed in this article:
- Everyone’s experience with detox can vary by how much drug is used and how long it was used.
- Detox symptoms can appear between 8 and 24 hours after the substance is stopped and last for a few days or weeks.
- Withdrawal symptoms can include anxiety, irritability, nausea, rapid heart rate, sweating, and tremors.
- Under the supervision of a medical professional, detox is advised to overcome the adverse consequences.
Seek professional help from the Haven Detox- New England to eliminate addiction. Call us at (844) 933-4145 to learn more about our treatment programs and service charges.
Average Length of the Detox Process
The average length of the detox program depends on the substance used and how long it was used. Detox symptoms can appear between 8 and 24 hours after the user stops using a substance and may last for a few days or weeks.
For instance, opiate addicts can have peak symptoms up to 14 days following their last dose. At the same time, heroin users experience them 72 to 96 hours afterward. You might have withdrawal symptoms from sedatives and hypnotics for 2 to 10 days.
Stimulants like cocaine or amphetamines can produce extreme hunger and psychomotor dysfunction that continue for up to two days, with milder symptoms lasting longer.
The psychological consequences of detox might continue longer than the physical ones, typically lasting for a few days to a week.
Most medications can cause initial withdrawal symptoms in individuals to last for days or even months. The duration of withdrawal is determined by several variables, such as:
• The substance the user is addicted to
• How long the addiction has persisted.
• Amount of alcohol consumed or drugs used
• Abuse techniques such as smoking, snorting, injecting, and swallowing
• Family background.
• Underlying medical conditions.
Find a medically assisted detox program by speaking with a medical professional. They can guide you toward the best treatment options for your condition. A medically assisted detox program can save you from experiencing adverse side effects of undergoing detox and withdrawal.
Alcohol and Drug Withdrawal Symptoms
The central nervous system is lowered by alcohol. This effect brings on relaxation and euphoria. To maintain stability, the body often sends signals to the brain to produce additional neurotransmitter receptors, which excite or stimulate the central nervous system.
When people stop drinking, they remove alcohol from the receptors they already have and the extra their body produces. The nervous system is overactive as a result. Symptoms of alcohol and drug withdrawal can include:
- Anxiety
- Irritability or mood swings
- Nausea
- High blood pressure
- Rapid heart rate
- Sweating
- Tremors
The early withdrawal symptoms are only one aspect of detox. It also consists of cravings, which last for several weeks after the initial phase of withdrawal.
In severe cases, you may feel delirium tremens (DTs) or alcohol withdrawal delirium. Symptoms doctors associate with DTs include:
- High body temperature
- Hallucinations
- Paranoia
- Illusions
- Seizures
Is Self-Detox Helpful?
Detoxing at home is harmful. Most drug users or people struggling with substance use disorder cannot detox on their own. They need medical care, such as that offered in our drug detox facility, for physical and mental support and to lessen the chance of relapsing.
Seizures and severe dehydration may result from quitting “cold turkey” or without medical attention.
Both inpatient and outpatient detox programs help in avoiding dangerous side effects. Due to the risk of serious withdrawal symptoms, those with severe addictions should undergo inpatient detox.
24-hour support and care are provided throughout the entire process of inpatient detox.
Before making any significant changes to your treatment or way of life, always contact a detox center.
Why Is Medical Detox Recommended?
Inpatient detox is recommended by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) for withdrawal from alcohol and sedatives such as benzodiazepines (e.g., Valium, Xanax).
Severe anxiety, agitation, and seizures can occur with alcohol and benzodiazepine withdrawal.
Undertreated alcohol withdrawal symptoms may, at their most potent, develop into delirium tremens (DTs), a potentially fatal illness marked by severe autonomic nervous system hyperactivity, hallucinations, and profound confusion (e.g., dangerously elevated blood pressure, heart rate, and body temperature).
Detoxing under the medical supervision of experts may be the safest setting if you’re concerned about experiencing withdrawal from these drug classes.
Studies also advise inpatient medical detox for opioid withdrawal; At the same time, this option may pose less immediate harm to your health, but it can still leave you feeling quite ill and cause additional issues, including dehydration.
If you are diagnosed with a mental health disorder, supervised medical detoxification may be even more advantageous for you because of the higher level of care that comes with it.
- Mental health issues
- Expecting women
- Have experienced multiple and severe withdrawal episodes in the past, mainly if each attempt at withdrawal has been more complicated than the one before;
- Have abused a variety of drugs.
If you are looking for a quality rehab center, look no further than The Haven Detox -New England.
We offer reliable treatment services to assist people in getting rid of alcohol and drug abuse. Our medical staff is highly educated and trained to manage symptoms of withdrawal.
Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs)
Achieve Long-Term Recovery from The Haven Detox-New England
Detoxification helps to remove toxic or harmful substances from your body. If you are looking for support, let The Haven Detox- New England help you out.
We offer treatment programs for alcohol use disorder, including medical detox and residential treatment programs to help people get back to addiction-free life at easy-to-fall price tags.
Furthermore, our admission counselors are around the clock and available to listen to the queries of our clients and make the admission process easy and fast.
Call us at (844) 933-4145 to speak with an admissions counselor. Our counselors are available around the clock and are happy to answer your questions.
