How to Detox Your Body From Drugs at Home
10% of all American adults will experience substance abuse at some point in their lives. It’s a high percentage, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be overcome. If you are struggling with drug addiction, the first step to recovery starts with addiction treatment. This can sometimes be a long process, and it’s important to remember that recovery doesn’t just happen overnight. Sobriety is a lifelong journey, but with the right tools and resources, you can successfully recover.
You might think that quitting cold turkey is the fastest solution, but it’s actually the most dangerous. Professional medical advice is pretty clear on this one – detox shouldn’t be done at home. Not only will you be up against drug withdrawal symptoms, but you’ll also need to battle drug cravings – all without any medical or emotional support.
The most effective treatment for long-term sobriety begins with medical detox. Let’s take a closer look at what it means and what you can do to detox from drugs safely.
What Happens in a Detox?
Simply put, a drug detox involves removing all traces of drugs and/or alcohol from your system. It begins as soon as you’ve stopped using and can last up to ten days. The detox process isn’t always easy, and the transition from active drug addiction to sobriety can be a shock to the system. You’ll be faced with uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms and need to battle drug cravings – both of which can have an impact on your mental health. This is why it’s so important to detox under the supervision of trained medical professionals – this way, you’ll be provided with the support and tools you need to stick to your treatment plan.
The Dangers of Detoxing at Home
Detoxing at home might seem like a good idea – after all, you’ll be in familiar surroundings and might even have the support of friends and family. This doesn’t mean it will be easier though. Quitting cold turkey and embarking on an at-home drug detox puts you at greater risk of relapsing. The main difference between a medical detox and a home detox is how you’re taken off drugs. Instead of removing the drugs from your system in one go, medical detox will involve weaning your body off the drugs at a gradual pace (something which is difficult to control without medical supervision).
You’ll also need to battle cravings and withdrawal, and without medical support, you could easily turn back to old habits.
What Is Drug Withdrawal?
During a detox, you’re bound to experience withdrawal. This is your body’s reaction to coming off drugs and is often very uncomfortable. As well as putting your body under stress, it can also exacerbate existing mental health conditions like anxiety and depression (making it easier to slip back into drug or alcohol use).
Some of the most common withdrawal symptoms include:
- Insomnia
- Tremors
- Chills and shakes
- Increased heart rate
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Nausea and vomiting
- Excessive sweating
- Body aches and pains
- Hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren’t there)
- Sensitivity to light and sounds
You might also experience severe withdrawal symptoms, including seizures, heart attacks, and Delirium Tremens (DTS). This is why it’s so important to undergo detox with medical supervision, as you’ll be provided with the care and support you need. If anything does go wrong, you can rest assured that you’ll be in safe hands.
You’ll also be offered medication during withdrawal to help relieve symptoms, making it easier to focus on recovery and stick to healthy coping mechanisms. Even if you do decide to do a natural drug detox (detox without the help of medication) being under medical supervision will arm you with the tools and resources needed to cope with it in a healthy way.
Substance abuse is complicated, and recovery is a gradual process. Don’t try to rush it; always listen to the advice of your doctor or other qualified healthcare providers.
What Is Medical Detox?
Unlike an at-home detox, medical detox involves removing all traces of drugs and harmful toxins from your system at a gradual and controlled pace. During medical drug detox, you’ll have access to medication and 24/7 care and support. Though withdrawal can’t be avoided, a medically supervised detox makes it easier to handle side effects and prevent relapse. You’ll be offered medication to help alleviate withdrawal symptoms and if medical complications do arise, you’ll be looked after and supported. Having medical intervention at hand is super important, especially in cases of severe withdrawal like DTS or seizures. Tying to deal with these symptoms by yourself could cause relapse or in some cases, even death.
What Happens in a Medical Detox?
There are typically four stages to medical detox, including medical evaluation, withdrawal, medication, and aftercare. According to the Mental Health Services Administration, drug detox lasts an average of ten days, but there’s no set number on how long yours will actually last. It will all depend on how long you’ve used drugs and the severity of your addiction, so try to take each day at a time.
Medical Evaluation
The first stage of any detox begins with a medical evaluation. During this assessment, licensed medical professionals will take a look at your medical history and ask questions about your addiction to paint a better picture of your needs. This will help them draw up a personalized detox plan just for you.
Withdrawal
As part of the detox process, you’ll need to go through withdrawal. Though unpleasant, this is where your journey to recover really begins. Doctors and medical staff will slowly and gradually wean you off drugs, and you’ll likely start to experience a few withdrawal symptoms. These can range from mild and moderate to severe, but rest assured that you’ll be under constant care and supervision.
Medication
During detox, you’ll be given medication to help you deal with withdrawal. Though it won’t be able to stop symptoms entirely, it can help suppress them and make it easier to sleep, and ease anxiety. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, those who forgo medication usually end up resuming their drug use, so it’s best to follow the advice of a qualified healthcare provider on taking medication for withdrawal.
Aftercare
The great thing about medical detox is the around-the-clock care and support you’ll receive from the staff. It’s easier to return to old habits if you feel like you’re alone in your journey, so being surrounded by others will give you the guidance you need to stick to your treatment program.
At Ebb Tide Treatment Center, we’re with you every step of the way on your journey to recovery. We believe that healing and compassionate care go hand-in-hand, and that’s why our team is so dedicated to giving you the care and support you need to flourish and embrace change.
What Is the Best Medical Detox Program for Me?
Before you begin a drug detox, you’ll need to figure out what type of program you’d like to embark on and the treatment center you’ll be using. Every treatment center will have its own set of drug detox programs – your job is to find out which one best suits you and your lifestyle.
Here are a few things to consider:
Time Commitments
If you’re strapped for time or have to balance work with substance abuse treatment, your best option will be an outpatient detox program. This means you can detox and get the treatment you need, all the while being able to return to your daily life and normal activities. If you have a little more time on your hands and are looking for more intensive support, you might want to consider inpatient detox. During this program, you’ll be in a medical setting 24/7 and live in the facility for the duration of your treatment. At the end of the day, it all comes down to personal commitment and financial resources – neither option is better than the other, but if you’re strapped for cash and time, outpatient treatment may be better suited to your lifestyle.
Natural Detox vs Medical Detox
You’ll also want to consider whether you’re going for natural drug detox or full medical detox. Both will be under medical supervision, the only difference is you won’t be given medication for withdrawal symptoms in a natural program. Though it’s your choice, it’s generally recommended to go for the full medical detox – this way, you’ll be able to alleviate the symptoms and better focus on recovering.
Detoxing at Ebb Tide Treatment Center
Located in beautiful West Palm Beach, Florida, Ebb Tide Treatment Center has treatment options to suit every lifestyle and budget. Whether you’re looking for intensive inpatient programs or a more relaxed outpatient detox, you can rest assured that you’ll be taken care of from day one. Our programs cater to a range of disorders from alcohol and opioid addiction to cocaine and methamphetamine addictions.
With a team of fully vetted medical staff, we’ll guide you through detox while focusing on the root cause of your addiction. We believe mental health plays a big role in drug abuse, so will always aim to treat co-occurring disorders alongside physical detox.
Though you can opt for a natural detox, we strongly recommend that you follow a full medical detox – this way, we can provide medications that make it easier to handle uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms. During your detox program with Ebb Tide, we’ll also work to build healthy coping mechanisms and habits, focusing on things like nutrition, exercise, and therapy to help you on your recovery journey and beyond.
Why Choose Ebb Tide Treatment Center?
At Ebb Tide, we see everyone as an individual, not a case number or a diagnosis. That’s why all our addiction treatment is personalized to suit you and your needs. Our treatment team will take you through a medical assessment, where we’ll gain a better understanding of your medical history and previous substance use. We’ll use this information to draw up a tailored treatment plan, so you can recover with ease at our detox facility. We also offer dual diagnosis treatment, getting to the root of your addiction to help manage any mental health issues or behavioral health conditions you might have. You’ll also have the chance to connect with others in support groups and therapy and receive guidance on the best diet and nutrition plan to support your recovery.
Are you ready to start your journey? Our new admissions hotline is now open, and our care team is happy to answer any questions you might have.