Things to Know about Drug Addiction Detox
The first step in the drug addiction treatment process is detox. Drug addiction detox is crucial because it helps individuals overcome their physical addiction to drugs. While the physical component of addiction is not the only element of recovery, it is required before an individual can begin counseling at a drug addiction center.
What Happens During Drug Addiction Detox?
There are two types of drug addiction detox, natural and medical. During natural drug detox, the individual will stop using the drugs “cold turkey” while under the supervision of a detox professional. Professional supervision is important, as the individual is likely to experience a number of withdrawal symptoms during detoxification. These uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms are not usually considered life-threatening, but can lead to relapse or self-harm behavior.
The other major form of detox is medical detoxification. Used primarily with individuals suffering from heroin addiction, medical detox involves a widely-used synthetic opiate such as methadone. Methadone is a drug that replicates many of the effects of heroin. The individual is given gradually smaller and smaller doses of methadone in an effort to “ease” them off the drug with minimal side effects.
How long does Drug Addiction Detox Take?
Drug addiction detox usually takes 1-2 weeks to complete, depending upon the seriousness of the individual’s condition. Withdrawal symptoms during natural drug detox usually see their onset one or two days after the final time the individual uses drugs. From that point, the discomfort caused by the symptoms will generally last for several days (again, depending upon the depth the individual’s addiction).
Do you want to know more about drug detox? Is someone you love suffering with an addiction to drugs? Call our drug addiction helpline today at and speak to one of our caring drug addiction treatment consultants. We are here to help you!
