When someone decides to stop abusing drugs or alcohol, they usually do so by undertaking a detox process. The intention behind a detox is to remove the body from the toxins (and often drugs) that it has been exposed to over its lifetime. By removing these toxins, detox can help the body return to a more natural state, one that can be healthier and more responsive to the treatment of withdrawal. A detox can also be used as an outgrowth of other programs, such as an addictions recovery program, which may offer therapies that emphasize cleansing the mind and body.
The two primary forms of detox are medical and natural. Medical detoxification occurs when medications, such as methadone or Suboxone, are used to help control the body’s chemical systems. These medications cannot be used long term and must be discontinued several weeks before commencement of detox, allowing the body to gradually adjust to its new chemical environment. Substituted for methadone or Suboxone, some of these medications can also be used to treat withdrawal symptoms that occur with drug use, such as nausea, sweating, insomnia and cold flashes.
Natural detox occurs when there is no chemical influence, such as in the case of Suboxone or other drugs. This type of detox is also referred to as auto intoxication and involves drinking or eating only organic and unprocessed foods or liquids for a period of time, allowing the patient to gradually wean himself off drugs and chemicals. In this way, the withdrawal symptoms of depression, cravings, mood swings, anxiety and irritability do not arise. However, it is important to note that there are certain drug withdrawal symptoms that will still occur, such as insomnia, cravings for sugar and dehydration. It is important to remain vigilant for these symptoms and report them to your physician promptly.
The duration of detox varies greatly but can last anywhere from a few days to several weeks. During this time, the patient should avoid any medications that contain benzodiazepines or drugs that contain alcohol, such as beer, wine or liquor. If you are taking medication for depression or anxiety and feel anxious or depressed while on this medication, call your doctor immediately and ask to be withdrawn from the medication. Some medications may have withdrawal side effects, including memory loss, slurred speech and increased anxiety, so keep this in mind when you are detoxing from medications containing these types of ingredients. Keep in mind, however, that your doctor will probably provide you with an alternate medication if benzodiazepines are deemed not necessary.
In some cases, patients may have to detox from medications in addition to undergoing a detox process. For example, in the case of Suboxone, you will likely need to take a heroin detox, combined with medication to eliminate opioid withdrawal symptoms. Similarly, in the case of OxyContin, you will likely need to detox from the opioid itself as well as from any drugs that contain opioids, such as acetaminophen, codeine and hydrocodone. Similarly, in the case of methadone, you will need to detox from the methadone itself, along with any other medications containing this chemical. Other options include taking an opioid-blocking drug such as Suboxone or buprenorphine, or naloxone, which is a type of anti-nausea drug.
It is important that you understand the complete detox process, from beginning to end, if you plan on quitting any type of drug addiction. Detox can make a big difference in the success rate of your sobriety, and it should be considered as part of every treatment plan. Detox should be carefully supervised by a professional, and you should always go into it knowing all of your options and what you need to do to fully and successfully detox from your drug addiction.