Shockingly, up to 10% of all adult Americans have struggled with a drug use disorder at some point.1 The process of detoxing from drugs and alcohol, while often a distressing and painful experience, is a crucial first step in the journey to addiction recovery. This is because embarking on the drug detoxification process rids the body of any traces of previous alcohol or drug usage.
To have the safest and most effective drug detox process possible, one must understand the factors that play a role in an individual’s psychological and physical response to detoxing. Read on to learn about how Desert Cove Recovery supports clients through their Arizona detox.
What Is The Drug Detox Process?
When an individual has substance use disorder, they typically also experience psychological and physical dependence. When an individual is physically dependent on a drug after using it frequently over time, the body has adjusted to the drug in its system. It then requires larger quantities to seek the desired effect.2 When this occurs, it leads to uncomfortable and sometimes dangerous withdrawal symptoms while attempting to curb substance usage. Detox is the first stage of the addiction recovery process.
What Are The Most Common Symptoms Of Withdrawal?
Withdrawal symptoms can vary from mild to potentially dangerous and can vary significantly in duration and intensity. An individual’s withdrawal experience depends on many factors, including the type, quantity of the drug, length of substance use, as well as genetic history, current health, and mental state. No matter the specific situation, the person undergoing detox will experience several physical, psychological and emotional effects or symptoms.
The most common symptoms of drug and alcohol withdrawal include:
- Physical Symptoms: this commonly includes increased heart rate, sweating, trembling and shaking, muscle tension and cramps, vomiting and nausea, congestion, headaches, and more.
- Psychological and Behavioral Symptoms: this might include hallucinations, anxiety, depression, restlessness, memory issues, anger, and agitation.
How Long Does It Take To Detox From Substances?
Just as every type of drug affects the body differently, each drug has a different withdrawal period. No matter the drug, the easiest way to tell if a substance is fully departed from the body is by taking a urine test. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, here are some of the most common drug’s detoxing time frames3:
- Marijuana: 1 to 7 days
- Crack or Cocaine: 2 to 3 days
- Heroin or Opiates: 1 to 3 days
- Ecstasy: 2 to 4 days
- Methamphetamine or Uppers: 2 to 3 days
Though the substance might be gone from the body, physical and psychological withdrawal symptoms can continue for weeks afterward.
The Importance Of Medical Professionals For A Safe Arizona Detox
While many individuals might attempt to quit their drug or alcohol addiction “cold turkey,” this can lead to dangerous withdrawal symptoms and, in some cases, lead to death. Because of this, when an individual is detoxing, especially from large quantities of drugs with prolonged use, they must be monitored by medical professionals in a medical detox setting.
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Medical professionals are an essential resource to support individuals throughout their detoxing process. They know the proper medication to prescribe to alleviate unwanted symptoms and create the most comfortable detox experience possible. Even better, there are professionals on-site 24/7 in a detox facility to monitor for any life-threatening withdrawal systems.
Embark On Your Arizona Detox Process With Desert Cove Recovery
If you or a loved one are ready to start recovery, consider joining us at Desert Cove Recovery. We screen each client before admitting them into our rehab programs, to determine whether medical detox is required. If detox is the safest option, we refer the client to a professional Arizona detox service run by medical professionals.
To learn more about the rehab programs offered at our outpatient facility to support you towards a substance-free future, contact the Desert Cove Recovery team today.
Sources:
[1] https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/10-percent-us-adults-have-drug-use-disorder-some-point-their-lives[2] https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/principles-drug-addiction-treatment-research-based-guide-third-edition/frequently-asked-questions/there-difference-between-physical-dependence-addiction
[3] https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/drugs-abuse-tests/drugs-abuse-home-use-test
