What Is Medically Supervised Detox?
The most common form of detox involves using medications such as benzodiazepines, muscle relaxers, blood pressure medicine, and other options.
Many of these options reduce anxiety levels, sedate clients, and induce sleep. These types of treatments allow patients to gradually withdraw without experiencing severe physical reactions like tremors, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, elevated blood pressure, hallucinations, and depression.
Clients usually begin taking prescription medicine during their first week off of drugs. Over-the-counter medicines aren’t recommended because their effectiveness isn’t well-researched.
Holistic Treatments Alongside Detox
Some people choose nonmedical approaches to detoxification. For example, one popular method uses acupuncture combined with meditation and breathing exercises. Another technique combines hypnosis and counseling sessions. One study found that motivational enhancement plus cognitive behavior modification was more effective than methadone maintenance alone in preventing relapse.
However, each situation is different, and it’s a matter of what’s most effective for the client. Regardless, certain stages and processes of the detox process vary depending on the substance in question.
The Stages and Process of Drug Detoxification
The stages and process of detoxification may vary depending on the specific drug a user is seeking treatment for. For example, opioids have a more intense period of physical withdrawal than cocaine and may require certain medications to relieve certain side effects.
On the same token, benzodiazepines have the potential to cause seizures and often require constant monitoring and a higher level of medical attention. However, generally speaking, there are three stages of detox regardless of the drug, followed by the post-acute period.
Stage 1
The first stage, sometimes known as the anticipatory stage, takes place during the first two days. This is the period when users have intense anxiety regarding the oncoming second stage, which includes the most intense side effects. During stage one, individuals will experience anxiety, headache, fatigue, and restlessness, among other symptoms.
Stage 2
Stage two is often considered the most intense period during the detoxification process. This stage includes heightened levels of anxiety, intense cravings, nausea, vomiting, tremors, intense sweating, and more. Seizures are most likely to occur during this period when it comes to benzodiazepines. In the case of alcohol, this is the time when DTs are the most severe.
Free & Confidential Assessment – Call Now!
Stage 3
Symptoms will begin to decrease during stage three, although mild discomfort will persist. Users may still experience muscle aches, insomnia, and other symptoms.
For most people, detox lasts between seven and 14 days. Once the acute phase passes, patients must remain abstinent for longer periods of time.
Post-acute withdrawal symptoms may persist for months following detox. When users experience symptoms associated with post-acute withdrawal, there’s a sudden onset of some of the discomforts felt during the acute withdrawal phase, followed by intense cravings. These periods are random and short-lived but highlight the importance of motivation, dedication, and a strong support system in the months after detox and treatment.
When users participate in medically-assisted detox for these stages, chances of relapse decrease significantly, and their health isn’t jeopardized as much.
Is Cold Turkey Detox Dangerous?
Cold turkey refers to the abrupt cessation of a habitual substance without tapering down its intake. The idea behind cold turkey is to force yourself to endure intense cravings and uncomfortable sensations.
Using cold turkey may increase the chances of relapse due to psychological distress and boredom. Additionally, physical risks associated with certain substances like benzos, alcohol, and opiates, pose a high risk of physical complications.
It’s important to note that not everybody responds to cold turkey equally. Some people are able to withstand it better than others. However, this doesn’t erase the risks of at-home detox.