If you are looking to get sober, you probably keep seeing the word “detox” when on an addiction treatment facilities’ website. So, what is detoxing and does it help with drug withdrawal symptoms? Why is it so important in the addiction recovery process? There are many different steps in the addiction recovery process. Here at See Purpose, we understand that everyone’s experience with addiction is different, and that everyone requires treatment that is unique and individualized. Within this blog, we discuss the detoxing process and drug withdrawal symptoms that occur during this part of recovery. We understand the detoxing process is a difficult part of addiction recovery, but it is a very important part that we, here at See Purpose, want to help you succeed with.
What Are Drug Detox Symptoms?
A detox is a physiological or even medical removal of toxic substances within a human’s body. Detoxing is not the complete treatment for an addiction, but it is one of the first steps in the process of addiction treatment. Before someone can get sober, they need to remove all of the harmful substances in their body in a safe space. Detoxing from drugs can be a process that includes issues of different cravings in the body, and changes in the brain. Drugs and alcohol are absorbed within the body and can remain active for long periods of time. There are different drug detox symptoms depending on the substance being abused.
Some of the drug detox symptoms someone will experience during the detox process are:
- Headaches
- Lethargy
- Irritability
- Aches of the muscles
- Sleeping difficulties
- Weakness and nausea
- Constipation
- Diarrhea and gas
These drug detox symptoms can vary from person to person and really depend on what substance is being taken over and over again. Some drug detox symptoms can even be fatal.
Opioids (heroin and prescription painkillers) can cause flu-like symptoms that can last an average of five days. Benzodiazepines can cause anxiety and seizures that last weeks and even in some cases months. Cocaine withdrawals can cause depression and restlessness lasting a week to ten days. Alcohol withdrawals can cause tremors and seizures that last from three days to several weeks. There are many different factors that influence the severity and duration of the withdrawal symptoms such as:
- The length of time that the substance has been abused
- The type of substance being abused
- The method that the drug is being abused (smoking, snorting, swallowing, injecting, etc.)
- Amount that the person has taken at a given time
- Genetic makeup and family history
- Medical and mental health factors
While many try to detox on their own, we strongly recommend against that. Drug detox symptoms and withdrawals can be managed easily at an addiction treatment center.
What Is the Safest Way to Detox?
Professional detoxing is the best and safest way to manage withdrawals and drug detox symptoms. Medical detoxing programs are designed to help people throughout the detoxing process safety and comfortably. By detoxing at a facility, you are lowering your risk of relapse. A lot of addicts don’t make it through the entire detox process on their own because the cravings become so intense, it drives them to do more drugs.
Our detoxification program involves professionally administered medications that help minimize withdrawal symptoms. These medications assist in making the recovery process much more comfortable. The recovery process is not a “one-size-fits-all” approach. The recovery process at See Purpose can include medication, therapy, counseling, etc. Medical detoxing can help clients not only with the detoxing process, but also in gaining support along the way. Finding support is crucial in the recovery process.
How Can See Purpose Help?
Here at See Purpose, we understand that each client is different and has unique treatment paths. We want our clients to be as comfortable as possible while detoxing and throughout their recovery process. We offer different programs that help each of our clients within their individualized treatment and encourage our clients along the way. Detoxing is an important part of the recovery and treatment process, and here at See Purpose we want to help you succeed.
