Research has shown that more than 11% of Americans 12 years and older have used illegal substances. With Palmetto Addiction Recovery Center, you don’t have to go through detox and recovery alone or at risk to yourself. If you or someone you know is looking to overcome their substance addiction, keep reading to find out more about detox and withdrawal during the recovery process.
What is Detox?
Detox is the process of removing toxic substances from the body; in order to ensure both safety and comfort, it is advised to do this under the supervision of a medical professional. This is the first step in an individual’s recovery from addiction. Detox is different for each individual and can vary depending on the substance that was consumed and how long it was used by the addict. Typically, the detoxification process lasts between 7 to 10 days.
The goal of the detox process is to minimize any negative effects of withdrawal symptoms, making the experience as safe and comfortable as possible. Previous studies have shown that the most effective form of detox is medically assisted and has been supported by trained professionals.
What are the Symptoms of Detox?
For individuals suffering from substance abuse and trying to decide which recovery route is best for them, they probably want to know what symptoms that they might experience with the various treatment options. Just like with most treatments, symptoms can vary for each individual depending on the severity of the case. For more severe cases, an individual may experience worse symptoms. Symptoms of detox can include the following:
- Sweating
- Shaking
- Fatigue
- Irritability
- Anxiety
- Difficulty Sleeping
- Nausea and/or Vomiting
- Changes in Appetite
- Hallucinations
- Muscle Soreness
- Seizures
- Delirium Tremens
What is Withdrawal?
Withdrawal is the combination of mental and physical effects that an individual experiences after they reduce their intake or stop using a substance such as alcohol and prescription or recreational drugs. Depending on the substance that was used and the amount of time that it was used, you may have developed a physical and/or psychological dependence on the drug.
Although the exact duration for withdrawal can vary for each person, here is a general guideline for a withdrawal timeline:
- Alcohol: Withdrawal symptoms can last up to 8 days.
- Short-acting Opioids (Heroin & certain prescription painkillers): On average, the symptoms of withdrawal last 4 to 10 days.
- Longer-acting Opioids (Meth): Typically, withdrawal symptoms begin to fade within 10 days.
- Benzodiazepines (Xanax, Valium, etc.): Withdrawal symptoms typically begin within 1 to 4 days after your last use and symptoms can last up to 2 weeks, occasionally longer in rare circumstances.
What are the Symptoms of Withdrawal?
Just like with the detoxification process, the symptoms of withdrawal can vary for each individual depending on the severity of their addiction. In withdrawal, symptoms can depend on the type of substance that was used and how long it was used, the withdrawal process used, and a person’s age, as well as their physical and psychological characteristics. Symptoms of withdrawal can include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Insomnia
- Irritability
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Changes in Mood
- Changes in Appetite
- Nausea and/or Vomiting
- Congestion and/or Runny Nose
- Fatigue
- Muscle Pain
- Restlessness
- Shakiness
- Sweating
- Tremors
Severe withdrawal cases can also include the following symptoms: seizures, hallucinations, and delirium.
Start Your Road to Recovery Today
If you still aren’t sure about how the recovery process works, no need to worry. Here at Palmetto Addiction Recovery Center, we understand how nerve-wracking or intimidating it can be to start your addiction recovery journey and our team of professionals is here to help! Our recovery centers offer several different recovery programs to choose from, including residential treatment, professionals program, medical detox, intensive outpatient treatment, relapse track, 3-day evaluation, and a family program. If you or someone you know is struggling with substance addiction, call our office today at 318-728-2970!
