About 23.5 billion Americans are addicted to alcohol and drugs. That’s one in every 10 Americans above the age of 12! Meanwhile, only 11% of addicts receive treatment.
Are you considering making a positive change in your life by detoxing? It’s important to prepare yourself first. Otherwise, you might fail to detox in a safe environment.
What happens during detox? Keep reading to find out. In this guide, we’ll review everything you need to know before starting the detox process.
With this guide, you can prepare yourself for the road to recovery. Get started by learning what to expect during detox today.
What is Detox?
First, let’s answer the question that’s likely on your mind: what does detox mean?
The detox process allows you to remove all traces of alcohol and drugs from your body. After a detox, you should feel physically stable. Detoxing can prepare your mind and body for therapy.
Over time, your body can become accustomed to having drugs or alcohol in your system. You could become dependent on drugs. Meanwhile, your body can build a tolerance, requiring you to use more to experience results.
When you reduce and remove these substances from your system, your brain will need to adjust. Many people experience withdrawal symptoms during the detox process.
A professional detox from drugs and alcohol can help minimize your withdrawal symptoms. A professional team will ensure you’re as comfortable as possible. With their help, you can detox safely.
Detoxing alone, however, is unadvised. You might not receive the care you need in time. If you fail the process alone, your motivation to complete a successful detox could drop.
Look for a detox facility that offers access to medically trained specialists. You’ll remain under the care of healthcare professionals, including nurses and doctors, during the detox process.
How to Tell You Need to Detox
The number of alcohol liver disease deaths has already reached 24,110 a year. By determining if you need to detox, you can avoid long-term consequences, including death. Here are a few signs that could indicate you need to start the detox process.
One of the main signs you need to detox from alcohol or drugs is an increased dependence. Do you feel like you can’t get through the day without drugs? It’s likely you need to start the detox process.
Do you need to use more of a substance to feel its effects? You’ve likely developed a tolerance. You could overdose as a result.
Here are a few other ways to tell you should start the process of detox.
- Addiction Symptoms
Have you started demonstrating symptoms of addiction? For example, maybe you’re taking reckless risks while under the influence. Perhaps you’ve developed a habit of driving while drunk.
If you’ve started making dangerous, life-threatening choices, you might want to consider getting treatment. Start detoxing before you put your life in jeopardy.
Talk to your doctor, too. Have they noticed your health has deteriorated over time? Drug and alcohol use can damage essential organs.
You could put your heart, brain, and liver at risk.
Drug and alcohol use can also increase your risk of hepatitis C, heart failure, HIV, and other conditions.
Have your friends and family members started commenting on your substance abuse? They’ll likely notice signs of your addiction before you do. If they’re concerned, don’t shrug it off.
Instead, take their warnings seriously. It’s likely they only want to help.
Your addiction could get you in legal trouble, too. For example, you might get arrested for buying or selling drugs. You could get caught stealing or driving drunk.
Violent behavior is a common issue, too.
Are you neglecting your responsibilities? Have you missed work or school as a result of your addiction? Consider getting help.
If you don’t know how to stop using, look into local detox centers. Professional medical help will ensure you detox in a safe environment. Otherwise, detoxing alone could prove detrimental to your health.
- Exhaustion and Stress
Alcohol and drug abuse can impact both the mind and body. If you’re feeling stressed, it could lead to other health issues, including weight gain and sleep deprivation. Stress can also trigger depression and other health issues.
You might rely on drugs and alcohol even more to minimize your stress.
Learning more about what happens during detox could help. During a detox, you can focus on improving your mental and physical health. You can minimize the stress in your life and find healthy coping mechanisms.
- Skin Issues
Substance abuse can impact your skin health, too. Toxins will start to build up under the skin. Meanwhile, toxins can also overload your liver.
You could experience acne, itchy skin, eczema, and other issues.
Detoxing can help remove the toxins from your body to minimize skin problems.
- Sore Joints and Muscles
Are you experiencing more aches and pains throughout the day? It’s possible your body is inflamed. Inflammation is the body’s natural response to illness, disease, and toxins.
Too much inflammation over time can cause sore joints and muscles.
In addition to detoxing, you can add anti-inflammatory foods to your diet. Consider using ginger, turmeric, and garlic to ease inflammation.
- Digestion Issues
Are you experiencing stomach pains and digestion issues? You might experience bloating, diarrhea, or gas. Listen to your gut!
It’s telling you something is wrong.
If you’re experiencing digestion issues, take it as a sign you need to detox from alcohol or drugs. Otherwise, substance abuse can cause your entire body to deteriorate over time.
The Detox Process
With treatment, about 70% of alcoholics can decrease the number of days they consume alcohol. They can also improve their overall health within six months.
Are you thinking about undergoing the detox process? Here’s what happens during detox. By learning more about the process, you can prepare yourself before treatment.
Medical Assessment
What happens during detox? First, you’ll need to undergo a medical assessment.
A medical professional will gather information about your medical history. They’ll also ask for information about your addiction, including your substance of choice. This assessment will help them determine your unique needs.
Your team might need to take blood work to assess your health. They’ll also use testing to check your mental and physical wellbeing.
An assessment will help your medical team create your personalized detox plan.
Withdrawal
The detox process ensures you safely manage your withdrawal symptoms under medical supervision. When you quit using dangerous substances, your body will need time to adjust. Without drugs or alcohol in your system, you’ll experience withdrawal symptoms.
These symptoms can include:
- Fever and flu-like symptoms
- Nausea and vomiting
- Extreme fatigue
- Irritability
- Moodiness
- Aggression
- Headaches
- Skin-related changes (acne, itching, rashes, etc.)
- Body aches and pains
- Physical and emotional symptoms
- Anxiety
- Trouble sleeping
- Shainess
- Unstable blood pressure and heart rate changes
- Sweating
- Depression
- Hallucinations
You could also experience delirium tremens (DTs). The DTs are a life-threatening concern. You could become restless, confused, or get upset.
You might experience seizures, hallucinations, and develop a fever, too.
Every detox process is different. The type of substance you used and the severity of your addiction can impact your detox. If you’ve used drugs or alcohol over years, your body’s reaction to detoxing could become more intense.
During the detox process, you might need to take medication to ease your symptoms. These symptoms could last for a week or more. The worst of it will occur within 24 to 72 hours of starting the detox.
A Safe Environment
Detoxing with professional help will ensure you remain in a safe environment. You’ll likely start your detox in a hospital-like setting. You’ll have privacy as you begin your detox.
Detoxing in a safe environment will ensure you don’t have access to drugs or alcohol.
Your detox team will monitor your overall health. They’ll determine which medications and treatments you need for successful treatment.
Once you complete the detox process, you can move into an inpatient care facility.
There are two types of detox programs: inpatient and outpatient. With inpatient treatment, you’ll remain in a detox clinic, rehab center, or hospital. You’ll receive around-the-clock care.
With outpatient treatment, you’ll live at home. You could visit a health care professional regularly during the course of your treatment.
Inpatient care ensures you require help 24/7.
Support
During your detox process, you’ll have a team of dedicated professionals supporting you. They’ll help you manage your physical and psychological symptoms. You’ll also have a licensed counselor on your team.
They’ll help you adjust to any emotional components of your disease.
Make sure to look for a program that gives you access to certified and licensed providers.
What Happens During Detox: Your Guide to Getting Clean
You don’t have to go through the detox process alone. Now that you know what happens during detox, you can get the help you need. Consider finding a detox facility to begin your treatment today.
With professional help, you can detox safely and successfully.
Eager to start your detox process? We’re here to help.
Contact us at 1-888-236-4567 today to get started.
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