Seizures, hallucination, and delirium are the most severe of all the withdrawal symptoms and can result in death if not appropriately treated during detox. The severity of withdrawal symptoms depends on a variety of factors, such as the substance being abused, method of abuse, how often, and how much of the substance is being abused. Withdrawal is what happens during detox to a person who is coming off drugs or alcohol. The timeline for detox also varies on the type of substance you used. Afterward, you should continue treatment through a rehabilitation program and follow tips for staying sober. Medical detox is the first step in achieving sobriety from alcohol and drugs.
Drug Withdrawal Symptoms
People undergoing detox treatment, including medication-assisted therapy, have a lower risk of relapse. It also reduces the risk of contracting infectious diseases and overdosing. Gradually reducing the drug dose can assist in managing withdrawal symptoms while also protecting the patient’s mental and physical health. Using medications to control the symptoms of withdrawal depends on the substance and severity of the symptoms. This setting may be appropriate for those with mild to moderate withdrawal symptoms.
Nutritional Deficiencies From Drug Use & What Your Body Needs
With facilities across the country, AAC offers various levels of evidence-based care to suit your needs. Contact us at 24/7, or check your insurance benefits now and reach out for more information later. Our compassionate drug detox admissions navigators are here to answer your questions, discuss treatment options, and help you begin the admissions process once you’re ready.
What Is Detoxification?
Individuals with alcoholism also often have an imbalance of fluids, electrolytes and protein. All of this can lead to a damaged liver and pancreas, as well as high blood pressure and seizures. Taking a good multivitamin can help to replace some of the deficient nutrients that commonly occur with alcoholism. This is a familiar addictive cycle that you would probably like to avoid.
Others may need admission to a hospital or a residential treatment center. The best centers provide medications to ease cravings and withdrawal symptoms for some types of addiction. Attending a medically supervised detox is strongly recommended for those who are pregnant and have a substance abuse problem.
What Other Facilities Offer Detox Programs?
Because addiction can affect so many aspects of a person’s life, treatment should address the needs of the whole person to be successful. Counselors may select from a menu of services that meet the specific medical, mental, social, occupational, family, and legal needs of their patients to help in their recovery. While relapse is a normal part of recovery, for some drugs, it can be very dangerous—even deadly.
What Addictions May Require Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)?
Symptoms typically peak around the 72-hour mark and start to reduce in severity after approximately 5 to 7 days. Possibly the most important benefit of detoxing can be supporting your body in healing from the effects of dependency. Detoxing can take time and may require additional support from your doctor and loved ones.
- Drinking alcohol or using drugs while pregnant can harm not only the mother but also the fetus, as these substances cross the placenta.
- However, these long-term plans must continue throughout the recovery process to encourage positive outcomes for clients.
- It is possible to overdose on heroin, which is when the use of the substance causes a reaction that can be fatal.
- Some people can do this on their own, but many benefit from extra support during the first few months to avoid relapse.
- Inpatient medically monitored programs tend to be the most expensive option.
- The aim is to maintain the patient sedated until the withdrawal symptoms subside.
Detox for Drugs & Tapering Off
If you haven’t completed a detox program and are looking for an addiction treatment program, you can ask any medical or mental health professional for guidance. If you have insurance, you may also want to call your insurance company to learn what your individual plan covers before making a decision. You can then acquire a list of treatment programs that accept your insurance in order to narrow down your search. The risk of uncomfortable or dangerous withdrawal symptoms is possible for many substances of misuse. Therefore, it is important to have immediate access to medical staff who can help manage symptoms and administer medications if necessary.