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What Is Drug & Alcohol Detox?

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Understanding What Drug Detox Is

When those who are suffering from drug addiction have all traces of substances removed from their body, they are experiencing detoxification. The goal behind this process is not only removing substances from their body but also ensuring they are physically stable before starting addiction treatment programs and therapy. Those who have a drug addiction find that their bodies become acclimated to having these substances in their systems. During detox, these substances gradually reduce and are eventually removed. In doing so, the patient’s brain must adjust the sudden drops in these substances. During that adjustment process, it is not uncommon for patients to experience withdrawal symptoms.

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The Purpose of Drug Detox

Understanding drug detox also involves learning more about its purpose. When someone is going through detox, its purpose is to help patients feel minimal effects from the withdrawal symptoms. That way, the process is as comfortable and safe as possible. Detox is most effective when combined with medication-assisted treatment and has support from trained specialists. Drug detox typically occurs within a specialist treatment center or facility. Patients are under the direct care of healthcare professionals, including doctors and nurses. It is rarely successful when patients try detoxing without assistance, and it often results in unpleasant withdrawal symptoms.

First Stages of Drug Detox

Even though withdrawal is not always life-threatening, it is normally very uncomfortable. They could result in the patient not wanting to go through the process. That is why it is beneficial for patients to receive medical and psychiatric care during drug detox. Within the first few hours of the process, several issues could arise for patients. Some examples include:

Injuries: There are some instances where physical injuries or assaults occurred when the patient was under the influence. Therefore, all physical trauma must be addressed before treatment begins.
Medical illness: It is not uncommon for patients who are detoxing off of drugs to experience severe pain, so caregivers must be aware of their medical history and if they use substances to help treat pain.
Psychosis: Some drugs, like cocaine, can cause users to feel paranoid and experience a full-blown psychotic episode. They might behave erratically or be unpredictable, so they need stabilization before treatment begins.
Violence: Violent behaviors could increase when users abuse particular substances, like bath salts, for example. If a patient becomes physically aggressive, they might need sedation.

Withdrawal Symptoms

Those who are going through detox must know what withdrawal symptoms to expect when learning more about what drug detox is. Some examples of symptoms include the following:

Abdominal cramping
Anxiety, confusion, and paranoia
Excessive fatigue
Fever or chills
Headaches, bone, and muscle pain
Increased blood pressure or heart rate
Sweating, shaking, and shivering

How Long Drug Detox Typically Lasts

Typically, drug detox takes between seven and 10 days. However, several factors can affect how long it takes for different people. For example, the length of drug detox could depend on how much of a substance the patient used. Another factor could also include the severity of the patient’s withdrawal symptoms. Some patients might also experience challenges or struggles with their mental or physical functioning. While physical withdrawal symptoms subside within a couple of weeks, psychological symptoms and cravings can last months.

Finding Help for Detox

If you have questions about detox, now is the time to reach out for support. You might have a friend or loved one who is abusing a substance and need this treatment. Contact Renaissance Recovery by calling [Direct] to learn more about drug detox and available treatment options.866-330-9449

Related Blogs

Check out our addiction recovery blog to learn more about substance use disorders and how to get effective treatment.

Extremely happy with my time at Renaissance Recovery. I was there for 9 months, and it genuinely changed my life. From the rigorous group settings with an array of facilitators, amazing therapy sessions with Erika, and support of my case manager Ricky, genuinely thank you so much. The staff is very kind. I would say I wish the facility had comfier options for sitting in groups all day, especially for larger folks. But all in all very happy with my time here, well worth it.

The best gift I have ever given myself was choosing to complete long-term treatment at Renaissance Recovery. Clients are exposed to high quality, clinical treatment, balanced with spiritual programming in alignment with the 12 steps. The emphasis on the recovery community is incredibly strong, and the people I surrounded myself with taught me to find joy in my sobriety. Sober Living accommodations were well above average and safe. My life today is unrecognizable from when I first came through their doors, and I reflect on my experience at Renaissance often. Forever grateful for the opportunity they afforded me!

I would absolutely refer anyone to this facility. The staff truly care about helping each individual client. They work with you to address any need you may have. The sober living homes are also very nice. The community events make it easy to have fun and make lots of friends.

Rennaisance provided me every tool I needed to get sober and stay sober. Great facilitators, case managers and therapists, great sober living facilities and house managers to take you to any appointments, even to work if you get a job. Overall they created a great environment to begin the journey to long term sobriety

Love this place!!!! They accommodate most of your needs to become a successful member of society. This place saved my life. And my family’s life. Best staff, best case managers, and therapists. And they have dual diagnosis as well, so that was very helpful.

Ricky was my case manager and was professional. My therapist Crista was great as well. The front desk was phenomenal

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