Many people resist the idea of going to rehab because they dread the idea of going through withdrawal. It can be a painful process that puts your body through a lot as it works to get rid of the toxins left behind by constant substance abuse. Without proper oversight, you could become sick to the point that you need medical attention. If you’re alone, you may not get help in time and end up dying. The drug detox timeline and alcohol detox timeline varies.
Why Would I Need Detox?
You may need detox if you start having withdrawal symptoms from drugs or alcohol when you try to stop using. The longer you keep drinking and using drugs, the more those substances change your brain’s chemistry. It can get to a point where you feel you can’t function unless you have a drink or take another hit of your chosen substance.
Signs of withdrawal from drugs often include:
- Fatigue
- Mood swings
- Paranoia
- Memory issues
- Sleeping issues
- Pain in your joint and muscles
Alcohol addiction can cause side effects like:
- Shaking
- Tremors
- Seizures
- Heart palpitations
- Nausea
- High blood pressure
- Anxiety
What is the Drug and Alcohol Detox Timeline?
If you’re contemplating admitting yourself to a detox program, you may have concerns like wondering how long does detox takes. The alcohol detox timeline and the drug detox timeline can both vary. If you have an alcohol addiction, it can take five to seven days to get through withdrawal. Opioid withdrawal can take up to 10 days, while stimulants can take up to two weeks to work through your system.
Alcohol remains in your system for varying periods depending on factors like your sex, weight, and metabolism. Depending on the severity of your problem, the alcohol detox timeline can last up to eight days.
What Happens During Detox?
When you admit yourself to a detox center, they typically start with evaluates each patient to get a deeper understanding of their issues. You want a detox center that believes in customized treatment plans for each client. The complexity of addiction means that people have different experiences with everything from withdrawal to how they respond to therapy services.
You will likely receive a complete physical evaluation to make sure staff is aware of health issues that might impact your detox stay or lengthen your alcohol or drug detox timeline. Having the complete picture of your addiction issues allows the detox center to account for them and provide you with the chance for a good outcome.
Detox centers watch over clients 24-7 to keep them safe during the detox process. Some offer medication-assisted treatment (MAT) to alleviate withdrawal symptoms.
The benefits of MAT during detox include:
- Reducing or eliminating cravings for drugs or alcohol
- Lowering your risk of having a relapse after completing detox
- Decreasing the chances of you needing hospitalization because of withdrawal side effects
You also attend counseling sessions built around evidence-based treatment. Cognitive-behavioral therapy and dialectical behavior therapy helps clients change their thought processes and reactions to different situations.
What Should I Do After Detox?
Once you get through withdrawal, the following steps might include outpatient treatment at Midwest Recovery Center. That gives you more time to work through your addiction issues and learn to manage situations that might lead to a relapse.
Midwest Recovery Center’s alumni program connects you to others who have completed treatment. They’re people you can reach out to for support after completing your program. Midwest Recovery Center also points you toward local resources for meetings and other addiction support. We do everything possible to help you maintain your hard-fought recovery.
Get Substance Abuse Help at Midwest Recovery Center
Midwest Recovery Center helps clients dealing with issues related to drug and alcohol addiction. If you’re ready to start taking control of your life, call Midwest Recovery Center at 833.627.0039, or contact us online.
