Drug Detox

Millions of Americans struggle with an addiction to drugs, and most will require professional help to detox off those drugs to get clean. Many drugs are so dangerous that once an individual is hooked on them it can be unsafe for them to try and come down off such drugs without professional help. Attempting to self-manage one’s detox can lead to horrendous withdrawal symptoms and a high risk for relapse. This article lays out what a drug detox is and why it’s crucial to an individual’s recovery.¹

What Is Drug Detox?

Drug detox is defined as the medical or social intervention designed to alleviate the physical symptoms associated with withdrawal. When people use drugs, they become physically dependent and during withdrawal, they may experience withdrawal symptoms, which can sometimes be severe. Occasionally these symptoms may require medical intervention. Detox provides support to the individual during this process.

The important thing to understand about drug detox is that it is not intended to address or treat drug addiction’s behavioral, psychological, emotional, or spiritual aspects. That’s why drug detox is most effective when immediately followed up with residential drug rehab.

Understanding the Importance of Drug Detox

Drug addiction is both a physiological and psychological problem. Addictive drugs like opioids, alcohol, and some pharmaceutical drugs change the body’s chemistry so that the body becomes dependent on the drug. The longer the individual uses drugs and the more they use, the more pronounced this dependence becomes.

Before an addict can begin working on the behavioral, emotional, and psychological aspects of addiction, they must get the drug residues out of their body and experience freedom from the constant cravings to use drugs. He or she won’t be able to focus on recovery, or on developing healthy coping strategies, learning life skills, and tackling the underlying reasons why they started using drugs in the first place until their body is free of the effects of drugs.

Types of Drug Detox

Depending on the severity of withdrawal symptoms, medical detoxification may be necessary. This is often done in a hospital setting with 24-hour medical support and supervision. Medications may be used to manage or mitigate any health risks but ultimately the goal of detoxification is to safely end all substance use. Not everyone needs medical detox. Social detoxification or non-medical detoxification can help those individuals with less severe symptoms to remain comfortable during the withdrawal process while still having medical support if needed.

In either case, detox provides the recovering addict with medication to assist the withdrawal process, preventing or easing unwanted physical and psychological symptoms.

Frequently Asked Questions About Drug Detox

When looking for drug detox or trying to learn more about them, one will probably have questions such as the following:

When Is Drug Detox Necessary?

Drug detox is necessary whenever an addict is using a drug that creates a physical dependence in their body or whenever the cessation of using the drug would cause severe withdrawal symptoms. Common drugs that will almost certainly require medical detox include:

• Alcohol in large amounts or for extended periods of use.
• Benzodiazepines in large amounts or for extended periods of use.

Other drugs that sometimes require detox include:

• Opiates such as heroin or fentanyl
• Methamphetamine
• Cocaine (crack and powder)
• Prescription opioids (OxyContin, Vicodin, Codeine, Morphine)

While withdrawal from many drugs does not require medical detoxification, underlying health issues or mixing of two or more drugs can pose significant risks. It’s best to consult a professional to determine what level of detox is right for you.

How Long Does Drug Detox Take?

Drug detox can take anywhere from one to four weeks, depending on what drug(s) the individual is using, how long they’ve been using, and how much of the drug(s) they use when they use it.

Can I Do a Drug Detox at Home?

No. It is very unsafe to do this. Trained, certified professionals should oversee any detox. Drug detox is very effective when done correctly and followed up with residential drug rehab.²

What Is Drug Detox Like?

Drug detoxes vary quite a bit depending on an individual’s rehab program. Some drug detoxes use holistic means of helping individuals quit drugs; others use medical assistance. The detox experience will need to be arranged to account for the individual, their drug(s) of choice, physical health, length of time spent using drugs, and degree of drug consumption.

Seeking Drug Detox for a Loved One

The news regarding drug addiction is often grim. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 100,000 Americans died from drug overdoses in 2021, the highest death toll from drugs ever recorded.³ The odds of dying from a drug overdose are higher than dying in a motor vehicle accident, and drug overdoses are the leading cause of death for Americans under 50.⁴ Drugs are becoming more potent and dangerous, and though about 2.6 million people seek treatment for drugs each year, tens of millions more are addicted to drugs and do not get help.⁵

The widening gap between those who need help and those who get it, the increasing spread of highly lethal drugs like fentanyl into the opioid supply, coupled with rising socioeconomic struggles and an eroding middle class with limited economic opportunity all combine to put millions of Americans at risk. All of this together makes drug addiction more life-threatening than ever. If you just found out a loved one is addicted to drugs, insist they get help and contact a treatment center.

Sources: