What to Know About Alcohol and Drug Detox

What to Know About Alcohol and Drug Detox

More than 48 million people in the United States aged 12 or older were estimated to have a substance use disorder in 2022. It isn't a rare thing. Detox is an essential part of recovery for many people who have an addiction or struggle with alcoholism. 

Detox involves eliminating substances from the body that it's grown used to. Some people choose to ride this out independently, but typically it’s best to seek care from a medical professional. 

Quitting drugs and giving up drinking can be a hard road to head down alone. The fear of failure, relapse, or withdrawal symptoms may hold someone back from cutting out substances. That's where detox programs can be beneficial. Withdrawal symptoms can be painful and scary, so having guidance is helpful.

Before diving into detox, it's helpful to know what to expect. Understanding detox, the symptoms that may occur, and the amount of time it takes is an important part of making detox work. Let's take a look at alcohol and drug detox.

Why is Drug Detox Important? 

Once someone comes to terms with the fact that they have a problem, detox is a critical next step in treating addiction or alcoholism. Detox completely flushes drugs and alcohol from the body. After getting past the withdrawal symptoms, your mind will clear, and it will be a lot easier to continue on the recovery journey. 

While some people find success getting over an addiction on their own, seeking formal care from a trained professional can be highly beneficial. The biggest reason this is recommended is because of the withdrawal symptoms that will occur. These symptoms range from mild to severe, and things can get scary quickly without the proper knowledge. 

The support system found through detox programs is unmatched. The recovery rates through these programs tend to be higher than for those who do not seek treatment. As withdrawal symptoms increase, the risk of relapse increases. It's easier to avoid these dangers with the right team to help.

What are the Symptoms of Detox?

Alcohol and drug detox can lead to a range of withdrawal symptoms. Some are not too hard on the body and appear milder, while others can be life-threatening. This can depend on how long the substance has been used, age, physical health, etc. Withdrawal symptoms can be different from person to person. 

Alcohol detox symptoms include: 

• Sweating
• Nausea
• Anxiety
• Headaches
• Insomnia
• Seizures
• Tremors
• Disorientation
• Hallucinations

Drug detox symptoms include: 

• Irritability
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Poor sleep
• Exhaustion
• Sweating
• Shaking
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Hallucinations
• Moodiness
• Body aches
• Confusion
• Seizures
• Paranoia

Symptoms can be managed best through a detox program. In some cases, medicines are given to help with specific symptoms. Other times, a detailed plan is created with coping mechanisms, which helps, too. Detoxing without support can lead to relapse, and some of the more severe symptoms are risky to go through alone.

What is the Timeline of Detox?

The time needed to detox varies depending on several factors. One of the biggest things that determines the length of time needed to detox is the substance used. Different substances stay in the body for different amounts of time. In a healthy setting, most cases of detox can be done in a week or two, but some symptoms will linger beyond that point. It can take months or years to say goodbye to these symptoms. 

Timeline of Alcohol Detox 

Mild symptoms tend to start 6 to 12 hours after the first drink. It's normal to experience headaches, anxiety, upset stomach, slight tremors, and trouble sleeping during this time. Once through the first full day, hallucinations may occur. After a few days, these symptoms may become more severe and ultimately go away. In some cases, they continue for weeks. 

Timeline of Drug Detox

The timeline for drug detox can vary depending on the substance in question. With opioids, withdrawal symptoms often begin within 6 to 12 hours after the substance was last used. It typically takes a couple of weeks to fully detox from opioids, with symptoms decreasing towards the end of week two. In severe cases, it can take months for withdrawal symptoms to end. 

With barbiturates, withdrawal symptoms begin after a day or two and increase in severity somewhere between day three and five. This is a similar timeline experienced with benzodiazepines. 

If you're seeking a place that understands your unique needs, Q Space Detox is a trusted, safe space for LGBTQ+ individuals. If you have any questions or are considering seeking detox help, call 305-745-7768 now.