What Is Drug Detoxification?

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How Detoxification Works

Evaluation

f someone opts for a medically assisted drug detox, they will first be evaluated by clinicians who will determine which treatment is best for them. During this process, professionals will gather important information about the patient, such as medical history, the substance used, the frequency of use, any mental illnesses the patient may have, and the patient’s physical and psychological condition.

Doctors will measure the patient’s acute intoxication levels to determine withdrawal potential and use medication to assist with detox withdrawal symptoms when needed, providing therapeutic support to aid in the detoxification process. From there, a personalized treatment plan will be implemented.

Stabilization

The stabilization process involves implementing the treatments decided during the patient’s evaluation. This may mean administering medications to lessen withdrawal symptoms and utilizing other therapies to ensure the patient withdrawals safely. Medications commonly prescribed in detox include benzodiazepines to reduce anxiety, antidepressants to improve mood, and clonidine to help with shakiness and nausea. Doctors may also do blood tests, EKGs, and MRIs to evaluate the patient’s condition and treatment further.

Treatment Plan

Once patients are stabilized through detox, treatment centers will guide them to the next step in their recovery—their treatment plan. This varies from person to person, but it often involves longer-term interventions like rehab, psychotherapy, and support groups. While detox is an essential part of substance abuse treatment, further treatment helps sustain sobriety.

Forms of Detox

The two most common forms of detoxification are cold turkey and drug tapering. Some people believe quitting a substance cold turkey is the best way to stay off a substance, but that is a myth. The ability to quit cold turkey mainly depends on the length of addiction and the severity of withdrawal symptoms. Note that quitting cold turkey can be very dangerous, leading to severe withdrawal symptoms and other complications.

Medical drug detox centers, on the other hand, generally utilize a gradual, tapering method. For example, with heroin and alcohol addictions, doctors will taper patients off using those substances and give prescription medications that act like heroin or alcohol in the body, allowing for an easier withdrawal. Then the patient will gradually be tapered off the “replacement” substances—a process that can take a few weeks to a few months.

Detoxification Diets

Proper nutrition can help the body heal from the damage caused by a substance use disorder. Nutrients supply the body with energy and can help speed recovery, which is why many medical detox centers offer nutritious food and diet plans for patients to implement during and after treatment.

Addiction can affect eating habits, causing some people to gain weight and others to lose weight. Some may neglect to eat a healthy diet while facing addiction, resulting in nutritional deficiencies and even malnourishment. Eating fruits, vegetables, and minimizing processed foods can be a good way to accelerate the detoxification process. Drinking water is the most important thing to do because, without adequate hydration, the body will not be able to heal itself as efficiently.

How Long Does Detoxification Take?

There is no exact timeframe for drug detoxification. It varies from person to person and substance to substance, but there are some general guidelines that indicate how long a substance stays in a person’s system and how long they will experience the signs and symptoms of drug detoxification.

Alcohol

Alcohol withdrawals begin about a day after the last drink, and detox symptoms tend to be the worst around the three-day mark. Heavy drinkers may experience more severe and long-lasting symptoms. Within a week, most people start to feel healthier and more energized.

Opioids

Opiate and opioid (codeine, fentanyl, heroin, hydrocodone) withdrawal and detoxification can take longer. Symptoms can appear within a day of abstinence or take more than a week to appear. Depending on how much and how long the substance was in the body, withdrawal symptoms can persist for up to two weeks.

Stimulants

Stimulants (cocaine, amphetamines) may be quicker to detox. These substances tend to enter and leave the bloodstream quickly, and cravings for the drug will taper off within a week or so of detoxification.

Prescription Drugs

Prescription drug detoxification (Valium, Xanax) symptoms begin within a day of abstinence and can last up to a week. By the two-week mark, the most severe symptoms and cravings tend to have tapered off.

Varying Factors

Ultimately, an individual’s detoxification timeline and recovery can only be predicted to an extent. Factors that can influence the length and severity of the detox process include:

• Genetic makeup
• Overall health and mental wellbeing
• The timeframe of substance abuse
• The method of drug use
• The amount of substance per dose

While the immediate detoxification side effects end within a short time, psychological symptoms and cravings can last much longer. Thus, ongoing therapy and support are helpful for most people in recovery.

Detoxification Side Effects and Dangers

Detoxification side effects vary depending on the substance used, but fatigue, nausea, and mood changes are common side effects experienced during medical detoxification. The most dangerous symptoms of drug detox tend to happen during at-home detoxification, where people are not monitored by a doctor and may not have familial support. In these cases, the risk for seizures and mental health problems is higher. Additionally, relapse and overdose can be more likely with at-home detox. People who detox at home are at a greater risk for overdose because, if they relapse, they may take a dose too high for their system to handle, as tolerance can change quickly during the detox process.

Alcohol, opioid, marijuana, and stimulant detox information and symptoms are outlined below.

Drug Detoxification During Pregnancy

Drinking alcohol and using drugs while pregnant can seriously harm the mother and the unborn child. The risk for stillbirth doubles (and even triples, depending on the substance) when a mother uses

substances throughout her pregnancy.⁶ Additionally, the unborn child is at risk for fetal alcohol syndrome, birth defects, low birth weight, premature birth, and neurological effects.

For this reason, it’s crucial for pregnant women to seek help in the form of medical detoxification. Pregnant women should not detox at home; medical supervision is crucial in protecting the health of the mother and child. If the mother is dependent on a substance, withdrawal symptoms can be particularly hard on the fetus, meaning medical oversight is necessary. Pregnant women can still take some prescribed medications to alleviate detoxification symptoms, but doctors carefully monitor dosage and side effects.

The comprehensive, twenty-four-hour support offered by medical detox assures the best outcome and treatment for pregnant women with substance use disorder.

Severe Drug Withdrawal Side Effects

For some, withdrawal can be an unpleasant but relatively smooth process—for others, it carries serious risks. Withdrawal from drugs often causes depression, which always comes with the risk of suicidal ideation. Long-term substance use or the use of a substance in large quantities poses a higher risk for severe withdrawal symptoms; additionally, quitting a substance cold turkey raises the risk for severe symptoms.

For people experiencing severe alcohol withdrawal, whether at home or at a drug detox center, there is the risk for a serious condition called delirium tremens. Delirium tremens is a severe form of alcohol withdrawal that causes hallucinations, shaking, paranoia, high blood pressure, and fever. It’s a critical condition, but it can be resolved in a few days when treated by a medical professional. The condition affects only about five percent of people experiencing alcohol withdrawal,
and its effects tend to appear a few days after an individual’s last drink.⁷

Addiction Treatment Options

The treatment following medical detox is just as important as the detox itself. There are many successful treatment options for addiction, including inpatient care, outpatient care, therapy, and support groups.

Inpatient Care

Inpatient care offers a structured and safe environment for people to recover for the length of time that is suited to their needs. Inpatient facilities not only provide 24/7 medical and therapeutic treatment, but many facilities also have green space, art and music therapy, nutritional and spiritual advice, and more. People who have relapsed in the past may find inpatient more helpful in sustaining recovery as it is more intensive in nature.

Outpatient Care

Outpatient treatment is like inpatient, except the patients can live at home. Patients receive one-on-one medical and therapeutic care, with access to support groups and 12-step programs. It is a more cost-effective option as the patient only pays for physician fees, testing, and treatment.

Therapies

Therapy, whether one-on-one or group therapy, is a crucial part of recovery for many people. Talking through challenges and triggers around addiction and learning to manage the stress of staying sober is important for sustained recovery. Family therapy can also help offer a safe space to rebuild trust and improve communication between the affected individual and their loved ones.