Detox from alcohol and drugs is unique to each individual. The effect of the detox depends on the type of drugs the person used and how long it was used.
10 Tips on how to detox from alcohol and drugs
- Most importantly have someone to help you through the process. If at home, you should have someone to help you during the beginning symptoms of alcohol/drug detox.
- Maintaining a positive attitude is an important key. You will find that maintaining a positive attitude seems to make the process go faster.
- Exercising and eating right helps relieve some of the stress put on your body during the detox program.
- Drink plenty of water. This will help prevent dehydration.
- Remaining calm during the treatment process is very important. The process can prove to be frightening, however, that what you are experiencing is normal. Remaining calm and focusing on the outcome will prove beneficial to your mental and physical health.
- Find ways to take your mind off the detox treatment. Planning ahead of the ways to take your mind off the detox treatment will help take our mind off the withdrawal symptoms during the process. (Listening to music, reading, watching T.V., etc.)
- Finding ways to stay comfortable will help. (Cold – use a blanket, hot – turn up AC, etc.)
- Getting plenty of rest will allow your body to recover better. Try to get between seven and ten hours of sleep.
- Focusing on your long-term goals will help you conquer your addiction. Thinking of what you will once you are successful will help you maintain the treatment process.
- Being aware of what you will be experiencing during the detox treatment will help strengthen your resolve to see the detox through.
What is a drug detox Program?
A drug detox program is a process in which the body is cleansed of all drugs in the body that an individual has consumed and is addicted to.
Everyone’s experience with detox is different. The type of drug and the length of its use will affect the symptoms an individual will experience.
The beginning symptoms of drug detox may take days or months to complete. Some are:
- Insomnia
- Poor sleep
- Nervousness or anxiety
- Nausea
- Difficulty concentrating
- Mood swings
- Body discomfort
What is an alcohol detox Program?
An alcohol detox program is the process in which the body is cleansed of all the alcohol in the body that an individual has consumed and is addicted to.
Everyone’s experience with detox is different. The length of the alcohol’s use will affect the symptoms an individual will experience.
How long Does Detox Last?
The symptoms of detox usually begin within eight hours after your last drink, or you may not experience any symptoms until several days later. The length of alcohol detox depends on the person. The milder symptoms may persist for longer in some people.
Some of the beginning symptoms of alcohol detox are:
- Nervousness or anxiety
- Depression
- Irritability
- Shakiness
- Mood swings
- Tired or wiped out
- Difficulty concentrating
- Nightmares
- Tremors
- Pale skin
- Sweating
- Headaches
- Dilated pupils
- Nausea/vomiting
- Faster heart rate
- Insomnia/poor sleep
When should you go for detox?
You should go to detox when the use of drugs or alcohol begin to interfere and cause problems with your relationships, home, and work. When you wake up saying, “Enough is Enough!”
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Dependence on Alcohol
The long-term abuse of alcohol will begin to become apparent. They may have tried to cut down on their consumption or tried to stop several times. They feel they cannot face the withdrawal symptoms or do not know how to cope with everyday life.
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Addiction to Alcohol
The consumption of alcohol becomes an all-day affair, and their priorities shift to facilitate drinking which has become the most important aspect of their lives. They no longer drink for pleasure, but out of necessity. They wake up with the DTs (delirium tremens) wondering when they can take their first drink.
The individual should be aware that the Alcohol Detox Treatment can be dangerous when done at home without professional help. The detox treatment from alcohol within a professional facility is the most recommended for addressing alcohol addiction and independence.
Steps in the process of drug and alcohol detox.
Alcohol Detox Treatment stages of detox are:
- First six to twelve hours the person will experience symptoms progressing from mild to severe. Some early symptoms include nausea, headaches, anxiety, and irritability.
- First Day – The symptoms will increase in severity. Added to the first 24 hours symptoms, they may involve seizures, hand tremors, and disorientation.
- Second Day – The most painful symptoms will continue. As your body continues to rid itself of the alcohol, hallucinations and panic attacks may occur and are common during this period.
- Third to Seventh Day – For the rest of the week, different withdrawal symptoms may come and go. You are most at risk for life-threatening symptoms such as delirium tremens during this first week.
- After the First Week –Many of the withdrawal symptoms will begin to ease off after the first week. Some of the symptoms will linger for weeks and can be treated with medication. Some people may experience a post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS)-the prolonged symptoms of detox. These symptoms may include anxiety, delayed reflexes, low energy, and trouble sleeping.
Timeline Summary
The most uncomfortable symptoms peak around the 10 to 30 hours after the last drink. They begin to taper off in about 40 to 50 hours. Although delirium tremens is very unlikely, approximately 30% of those develop Aspiration Pneumonia. The medical assistant helps prevent any serious complications by keeping track of the person’s health and relieves any painful effects.
Drug Detox Treatment will vary with each individual. The type of drug a person is addicted to will determine the type of treatment. All individuals must safely go through the acute withdrawal period and address their independence.
- Evaluation – The patient is screened for physical and mental health issues.
- Stabilization – The goal is to prevent harm to the person, prevent complications, and reduce complications’
- Prepare the patient for entry by communicating with the person with what to expect during the treatment process.
- The first phase of the drug treatment is referred to as detoxification. It is defined by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) as the process in which the body cleanses itself of the harmful toxins found in drugs such as: Vicodin, alcohol, cocaine, marijuana, and other potentially dangerous substances.
- After the detox period, the treatment process is streamlined to suite the individual
Why is Detox Necessary for Recovery?
Your body requires a very delicate balance of chemicals in able to function properly. The use of drugs repeatedly interferes with that balance. It changes the structure of the brain’s function.
By continuing to use drugs, the body craves the substances and starts to function more normally with the drug than without it. Detox forces the body to release the drugs and return to the body and brain to its healthy levels.
Detox is a necessary part of recovery because of the way the addictive substances affect your body.
Choose the Best Alcohol and Detox Centers to ensure a successful treatment recovery. Golden Road Recovery Center is one of California’s pristine facilities. They know the hardships involved with alcohol and drug detox. The individual’s mental and physical health is taken into account throughout the treatment. They work with the individual from the beginning through the end of the treatment to help overcome your addiction. Customizing the treatment to each person will help to ensure victory. When leaving the clinic, you will leave with an Addiction Aftercare Plan to help ensure your success. This plan is tailored to you individually.
Golden Road Recovery
22560 Lassen Street Chatsworth, CA 91311
877-372-0536
Is Detox from Alcohol Dangerous?
Many people believe that detoxing from alcohol is not dangerous, but that is not true. There are seriously life-threatening risks that are involved with detoxing from alcohol. Without medication, it may prove too be difficult and may cause the person to stop the detox. If you used other drugs or substances the withdrawal symptoms may be worsened or unpredictable.
Why Detoxing at Home Can Be Harmful?
These risks are heightened when detoxing at home. The symptoms may last for weeks. Without the help of medication to help the person through it, it may prove more difficult.
Also, if you used other drugs or substances the withdrawal symptoms may be worsened or unpredictable.
The detox may prove to be so difficult that they may decide to start drinking again. This can lead to the cycle of starting and quitting again. Because of the above reasons, it’s best to detox under professional supervision and care.
What to Expect During Detoxification?
There is a list of symptoms you may encounter during the detox treatment. They will vary in severity depending on the patient’s level of addiction. Some of the symptoms are: Nervousness or anxiety / Depression / Irritability / Shakiness / Mood swings / Tired or wiped out / Difficulty concentrating / Nightmares / Tremors / Pale skin / Sweating / Headaches / Dilated pupils / Nausea / vomiting / Faster heart rate / Insomnia / poor sleep.
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