The Mayo Clinic shares a list of several common symptoms of addiction. These include the need to use a substance regularly and experiencing withdrawal when they stop use. A compulsion to continue use, even when recognizing the problems it causes, is another example. People have to stop using substances to begin their journey toward sobriety. Detoxing from drugs is the first step in the recovery process for a few key reasons. It serves as the initial phase in liberating oneself from substance dependency.

Your addiction does not have to define who you are.

Addiction Resource does not favor or support any specific recovery center, nor do we claim to ensure the quality, validity, or effectiveness of any particular treatment center. No one should assume the information provided on Addiction Resource as authoritative and should always defer to the advice and care provided by a medical doctor. The risk of uncomfortable or dangerous withdrawal symptoms is possible for many substances of misuse.

Find Detox Centers Near You

Know that you are not weak; this is challenging for almost everyone. However, you won’t regret your decision once you come through withdrawal. The payoff is a healthier, happier, more productive lifestyle at home, work, and play. As with depression, some anxiety during withdrawal is to be expected. If you took a drug or drank alcohol to relax, you’re likely to feel tenser.

• Detox can occur in a separate facility before transitioning into an addiction treatment program, or the substance abuse center may offer both detox and addiction treatment services.
• Gradually reducing the drug dose can assist in managing withdrawal symptoms while also protecting the patient’s mental and physical health.
• An evaluation is the starting point before substance detox since it allows addiction specialists to assess the patient’s physical and mental health to provide more individualized treatment.
• When you quit or taper off a substance you’ve developed a dependency for, your body typically begins to go through changes.

Alcohol & Drug Detox Process: How to Find Detox Centers Near Me

Gradual substance tapering is a term used for the process of slowly decreasing the amount of a substance over a specific period of time. Exact timelines and symptoms can depend on the individual and their previous substance use. Symptoms typically peak around the 72-hour mark drug detox and start to reduce in severity after approximately 5 to 7 days. Possibly the most important benefit of detoxing can be supporting your body in healing from the effects of dependency. Detoxing can take time and may require additional support from your doctor and loved ones.

Detox by itself is a short-term solution that builds the foundation for long-term change. When appropriate, case managers will share updates with family members and loved ones. This includes during detox itself, as well as the aftercare planning process. Benzodiazepines are sometimes used in the short term and under close medical supervision to treat anxiety and similar symptoms for some people going through detox. There are several medications used to treat opioid withdrawal, for example.

The consensus panel developed guidelines (listed in Figure 1-2) that serve as the foundation for the TIP. Our resources, training, and knowledge empower us to treat a wide range of addiction issues. We actively offer referrals when our clients have needs beyond our scope of services. Infinite Recovery is proud https://ecosoberhouse.com/ to connect clients with a full continuum of evidence-based addiction care. By taking a comprehensive approach to care, we can address all of the underlying and connected issues that contribute to addiction. Keep these big-picture goals in mind when seeking treatment to support long-term, holistic recovery.

Drug Withdrawal Symptoms

Some people attend a daytime program at a hospital or substance abuse treatment facility but go home at night. Drug addiction, also called substance use disorder, is a mental health problem. For that reason, detoxing on your own, without any guidance or supervision, is generally not wise. Finally the average length of stay for people undergoing detoxification and treatment in 1997 was only 7.7 days (Mark et al. 2002).

The symptoms of withdrawal can be both physical and psychological, and range from mild to severe depending on the substance, the person, and the history of use. For example, delirium tremens is a severe, life-threatening symptom of alcohol withdrawal that involves tremors and disorientation. In rapid detox, a person with a substance use disorder (SUD) is sedated with anesthesia and given medications that replace the drugs in the body. This method was originally developed for people addicted to opiate drugs like heroin and painkillers.

• The objective is to address the practical issues that can get in the way of completing a detox program.
• The purpose of detox is to safely manage withdrawal symptoms when someone stops taking drugs or alcohol.
• The length of drug or alcohol detox can vary depending on the individual and the substance they are detoxing from.

What Happens to Your Body During Drug Withdrawal?

These medicines can reduce your craving for opioids and may help you avoid relapse. Medicine treatment options for opioid addiction may include buprenorphine, methadone, naltrexone, and a combination of buprenorphine and naloxone. The goal of detoxification, also called “detox” or withdrawal therapy, is to enable you to stop taking the addicting drug as quickly and safely as possible. For some people, it may be safe to undergo withdrawal therapy on an outpatient basis.

Ultra rapid detox, which touts an ability to ease the process of opioid withdrawal, is a controversial method that can produce dangerous outcomes. Just as there are different types of drug rehab, there are also various forms of drug detox, each one designed to meet the needs of a particular type of addiction and a specific type of individual. The following gives a glimpse into the options that an individual who is ready to break the addiction cycle has at his or her disposal. It may help to get an independent perspective from someone you trust and who knows you well. You can start by discussing your substance use with your primary care provider. Or ask for a referral to a specialist in drug addiction, such as a licensed alcohol and drug counselor, or a psychiatrist or psychologist.