Author: John Carter
Drug Withdrawal Symptoms, Treatment, and Management
It typically includes pollutants, synthetic chemicals, heavy metals, and processed foods, which can negatively affect health. During detox, you can experience severe withdrawal symptoms that require medical attention, like becoming dehydrated. Without immediate access to a doctor, you may be putting yourself at risk. Some people who don’t require a lot of supervision might simply check in with their regular doctor’s office or a home health agency at scheduled intervals during their detox. Some people attend a daytime program at a hospital or substance abuse treatment facility but go home at night. If you are addicted to alcohol, pills, or illegal drugs, the first step toward recovery is detox.
Some studies suggest possible adverse effects of cleanses or detox diets. Many detox diets are liquid-based, low in calories, and low in nutrients. In addition to its many roles in your body, water allows your body’s detoxification system to remove waste products from your blood.
Limiting or abstaining entirely from alcohol is one of the best ways to keep your body’s detoxification system running strong. While observational studies have shown that low to moderate alcohol consumption benefits heart health, excessive drinking can cause many health problems (6, 7, 8). The term toxin can refer to pollutants, synthetic chemicals, heavy metals, and processed foods, which can negatively affect health. The process of detoxing can be stressful and even painful, especially for those with a long history of substance use disorder.
Opioid Withdrawal
Detoxing from drugs involves eliminating toxins from the system and addressing the issue of physical dependence on addictive substances. The primary goal of a detox from drugs is to ensure the safe management of drug withdrawal symptoms that present upon discontinuation. Many people believe that going through detoxification with the help of trained medical professionals will help them remove all withdrawal symptoms they might otherwise experience. The symptoms of withdrawal can be both physical and psychological, and range from mild to severe depending on the substance, the person, and the history of use. For example, delirium tremens is a severe, life-threatening symptom of alcohol withdrawal that involves tremors and disorientation.
Poor sleep has links to short- and long-term health consequences, such as stress, anxiety, high blood pressure, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and obesity (16, 17). However, popular detox diets rarely identify the specific toxins they aim to remove or the mechanism by which they supposedly eliminate them. However, the body “detoxifies” itself naturally and doesn’t actually require special diets or expensive supplements to eliminate toxins.
Does Detox Actually Work?
These symptoms may range from mild to severe depending on the person, their history of use, and the substance or substances used. Despite the dangers and consequences of drug use, many people try substances such as alcohol, marijuana, heroin, and cocaine. While people of any gender experience substance misuse, it is more common among cisgender males.
How much water a person needs depends on their level of physical activity and age, among other factors. However, people who are healthy typically do not require additional help with detoxification. Physical symptoms of anxiety can make you feel as if something scary is happening. Your breathing and heart rate might increase, sometimes to the point where you feel you can’t catch your breath, or that you’re having a heart attack, even though you’re not. Your kidneys filter your blood and remove wastes and toxins, including byproducts of metabolism, toxins made water soluble by the liver, and industrial toxins, such as heavy metals.
Instead of abruptly stopping substances, the process will end gradually. Seeking professional help and participating in programs designed for co-occurring addictions can significantly improve the chances of long-term sobriety. However, people should speak with a doctor before making any major changes. Some types of detox recommend drastic dietary and lifestyle changes, while others involve using products that contain laxatives.
- Your body naturally produces these molecules for cellular processes, such as digestion.
- Learn more about substance use and withdrawal, symptoms, treatment, how to cope, and how to help someone going through withdrawal.
- The process of detoxing can be stressful and even painful, especially for those with a long history of substance use disorder.
- BetterHelp can connect you to an addiction and mental health counselor.
If a person wishes to try their own version of a full body detox in order to feel healthier, there is a safer way to do so. In many cases, making simple changes to diet or lifestyle can improve general health. Toxins, such as poisons or pollutants, are substances that negatively affect health. The body can already eliminate these substances on its own through the liver, kidneys, digestive system, and skin. If mood changes are severe, last longer than other withdrawal symptoms, or include thoughts of harming yourself or suicide, get help immediately. Contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 (or have someone do it for you) for support and assistance from a trained counselor.
Inpatient Detox
The first step is for a provider to get to know the person who is seeking help. It is important for a provider to know how often someone has been using substances, the amount taken, and how long the person has been addicted to that specific substance. The detoxification process can take on different forms depending on the substance involved. For example, detox for opioids, benzodiazepines, and alcohol each vary in length.
Detox is the first step in treating substance use disorders—and can be the difference between life and death
If you currently do not drink, it is recommended not to start as the risk outweigh any health benefits that come with drinking. Medical detox takes place at a detox facility, so you can be closely supervised and monitored by your doctor. No matter the substance, medical detox is the most recommended and widely used treatment for substance use disorder with dependency. If you only consume a substance occasionally, you can expect to see little to no withdrawal symptoms upon quitting. However, if you consume substances regularly, you may feel initial withdrawal symptoms within a few hours of quitting.
For example, some people with a history of alcohol use disorder (AUD) can experience delirium tremens (DTs) within the first few days of detox. Some symptoms of DTs, like psychosis or seizures, may be severe and require medical attention. Focusing on your physical health can be a powerful first step in recovery from substance use disorders and moving toward sober living. After successfully detoxing, you may feel better and have greater mental clarity to address the psychological issues related to substance use disorder. Substance addiction and withdrawal are challenging for those who use substances, as well as for those around them, including friends and family members.
People often attribute sugar and processed foods to many of today’s public health crises (26). One of those waste products is a protein called beta-amyloid, which contributes to the development of Alzheimer’s disease (13, 14). Drinking too much alcohol reduces your liver’s ability to carry out its normal functions, such as detoxifying. Excessive drinking can severely damage your liver function by causing fat buildup, inflammation, and scarring (9). But the more support you have around you, the better you can manage your symptoms and triggers. Cocaine is a highly addictive stimulant drug that increases dopamine (the “happy” chemical in the brain).
If you are someone you know is experiencing substance addiction or withdrawal, help is available. Reach out to a healthcare provider, such as a primary care practitioner, psychologist, or addiction specialist for support. People may experience physical, behavioral, and cognitive symptoms when discontinuing substances.