No one wants to think they have a problem. No one wants to believe the person they love and care about has a problem, either. But the fact of the matter is, sometimes there is a problem. Coming to terms with the fact that addiction is just that — an addiction — is one of the most crucial steps in the healing process. But simply calling a monster a monster does not make it go away.
Take it from me, there is a lot involved with both the drug and alcohol detox process. Not only am I a licensed counselor and educator, but my little sister succumbed to death by detox in August 2022. While death by detox is rare, it definitely happens.
Coming to terms with the fact that addiction is just that — an addiction — is one of the most crucial steps in the healing process.
While talking about addiction is a good thing, understanding the details of detoxing from alcohol or drugs is just as important, if not more. Had this information been more widely known, my little sister may still be alive today. If you or someone you love is potentially chemically dependent on alcohol or drugs, keep reading. Being educated on the signs and symptoms may save a life.
Is Detoxing Necessary?
Knowing if or when you may have a problem with drugs or alcohol can be hard to detect on your own. Below are some simple questions you can ask to see if you may need to detox your body:
- Has anyone in your life suggested you stop drinking or using drugs?
- Do you have to have a drink or drug in order to “feel like yourself?”
- Do you plan your life around your ability to drink or do drugs?
- If you refrained from drinking or doing drugs, would your body have a physical reaction?
If you answered yes to any of these, you may want to consider detoxing from alcohol or drugs. One of the first steps is confiding in someone you trust about your desire to detox. This person can help provide support, encouragement, and accountability.
The next step in the alcohol and drug detox process is seeking professional help. Though you may be tempted to quit cold turkey, when your body becomes dependent on a substance, quitting that way may be a fatal mistake. Detoxing from drugs and alcohol can be dangerous, although the dangers of continuing the addiction are far more serious and lethal.
What Are the Signs From Detoxing From Alcohol?
Sometimes going into a process can be a bit easier when you know what to expect. Please note that every person is different, and your experience is dependent upon the severity of both your addiction and your mental and physical health.
Healthline.com shared some common symptoms of withdrawal that are important to be aware of in the alcohol detox process. In the course of withdrawing from alcohol, you may feel:
- Anxious
- Irritable
- Nauseous
- Trembling
- Sweaty
- Increased heart rate
It is important to note that for some people with more severe addiction, your symptoms may also include experiencing:
- Paranoia
- Auditory and visual hallucinations
- Seizures
- Fever
On rare occasions, you may develop delirium tremens (DT). DT is the worst type of withdrawal, the type which caused my little sister’s untimely death. There are various risk factors which may make you more susceptible to developing DT. If you have any of these, there is an increased sense of urgency for you to withdrawal in the safety of medical professionals.
The common risk factors of DT include:
- Poor liver function
- Experiencing DT in the past
- History of seizures
- Low potassium level
- Low sodium level
- Low platelets
- Dehydration
- Use of other substances
- Brain lesions
Detoxing from Alcohol Timeline
The following detoxing from alcohol timeline from Healthline.com gives a general idea as to what to expect when you stop drinking:
- Six hours after your last drink: Your symptoms begin as your body adjusts to not having alcohol. For those with severe alcohol addiction, these symptoms may include seizures.
- 12 to 24 hours after: Normal withdrawal symptoms continue, and in some cases, you may have auditory or visual hallucinations.
- 24 to 48 hours: Normal withdrawal symptoms persist, including headache, stomachache, and potential tremors. For mild cases, your symptoms peak during this window.
- 48 to 72 hours: For moderate to severe cases, your symptoms may continue to intensify, and you may experience a rapid heart rate, fever, and additional seizures.
- 72 hours: For moderate to severe cases, this is when your symptoms will peak.
So how long does withdrawal last? For most people, withdrawal from the alcohol detox process can last six to 72 hours. In rare cases, some people experience symptoms for up to a month after their last drink.
Detoxing From Drugs
Detoxing from drugs has many similarities to detoxing from alcohol, but there are some notable differences. According to Healthline.com, about 1.6 million Americans abuse opioids (which includes opiates, naturally occurring opioids). These can be morphine, codeine, heroin, hydrocodone, oxycodone, and opium.
Some of the more common symptoms you may experience within the first 24 hours after stopping opioids include:
- Restlessness
- Stomach issues
- Sweating
- Muscle aches and pains
- Runny nose
- Teary eyes
- Sleeplessness
After the first 24 hours, your symptoms may intensify, including:
- Increased blood pressure
- Increased heart rate
- Blurred vision
- Vomiting and nausea
- Cramping and diarrhea
- Goosebumps
So how long does it take to detox from drugs? For most people, symptoms cease within three days, and typically within a week, you feel significantly better.
The Importance of Detoxing
When your body becomes accustomed to drugs or alcohol in its system, the chemical makeup of your body and brain change. Your body adjusts as you consume alcohol and drugs, which over time, cause your body to be reliant on the substances, as opposed to being able to function on its own. The detox process cleanses your body of the toxins that have built up in your system. This step is crucial for your body to fully heal and restore itself. The earlier you seek treatment, the easier it is for your body to reclaim itself. Though this can be a painful process, it is foundational to overall healing.
The earlier you seek treatment, the easier it is for your body to reclaim itself. Though this can be a painful process, it is foundational to overall healing.
Get Professional Help
Instead of waiting for a tragic wake-up call, you can take steps now to assess your well-being. With every fiber of my being, I wish I would have sent my sister to the The Meadows Seasons. Here, we have highly trained professionals to help guide you safely through the detox process before you begin treatment.
The three phases you will experience upon entering treatment at The Meadows Seasons include:
- Evaluation – A thorough screening to determine what is in your system, combined with a full assessment of your health history, will help our team customize your personalized treatment plan.
- Stabilization – Using neurofeedback and other tools, we will provide you with the most effective and efficient way to cleanse your system and make you feel as comfortable as possible as you detox.
- Treatment – Our caring staff will monitor you and slowly ease you into treatment, walking you through what to expect and accompanying you through every step of the process.
Addiction does not just occur by itself; various life circumstances, mental and physical illnesses, or trauma accompany the reliance on drugs and alcohol. Reclaim control of your life and your relationships by getting the help you need by those best equipped to assist you. Enrolling in treatment is not only the safest way, but it is also the most effective way to create a new — and much better — normal for your life. Reach out to take the first step today.
