The symptoms of Drug Detox, Timelines, and Treatment
When going through the process of drug or alcohol withdrawal, a person is extremely likely to display some challenging symptoms. The symptoms they face will depend on several factors. The signs of detox can be displayed within a few hours of taking the drug for the last time or within several days.
How long they last can range from a few days to several weeks, but in some extreme cases, these longer-term symptoms can go on for several months until complete recovery occurs.
What Are Drug Treatment Detox Symptoms?
When recovering from drug addiction, somebody goes through the process of detox. Understanding tolerance helps them to understand why certain withdrawal symptoms happen. The symptoms of withdrawal vary from person to person and will also depend on how high your tolerance is.
However, there are some similarities in the symptoms of detoxing from most drugs. For example:
Decreased tolerance: This will happen rapidly during a drug detox and is one of the most dangerous symptoms if relapse occurs because decreased tolerance can make it easier to overdose.
Rebounding: The symptoms when a drug was initially desired to control can come back in full force once the drug has stopped being taken. Examples are feeling pain during opioid detox or extreme tiredness during a stimulant detox.
Impact on mental health: Detoxing can contribute to a lack of motivation and feelings of unhappiness. This is most common among people whose brains have started to produce too much dopamine as a result of drug taking. Without this dopamine, people are unable to feel happiness. Physical symptoms: Changes to the nervous system including irregular heartbeat and changes in blood pressure.
How Long Does Drug Detox Take?
Drug detox can vary in length and will depend on a number of factors including the type of drug used. There are other factors that will influence how long it takes, such as:
- How much of the drug was taken
- Whether it was combined with other drugs
- How long the drug was being abused for
- The manner in which the drug was taken
- An individual’s genetic profile such as metabolism and weight
The process of withdrawal is then broken down into three specific stages which are: acute, protracted, and post-acute.
Can a Medical Detox Help Aid Drug Detox Symptoms?
When a body needs to get rid of drugs in the system, it will go through the process of detoxification. Bodies will naturally get rid of these substances alone, but that does not mean it is safe to detox on your own. The safest option for detoxification is to do so in a physician-supervised program as they will help to address the symptoms of drug withdrawal as they occur.
At Findlay® Recovery Center, our addiction treatment program helps to see people through the entire process of recovery. We believe in treating our patients using a tailor-made program for their specific needs, including methods such as medication, skills training, mentoring, and support to help them through recovery and give them back their lives.
