Natural drug detox is a method that aims to help a person go through withdrawal by detoxing at home and without any medical supervision. Unlike treatment in traditional facilities, which entails the use of medications, at-home drug detox relies on elements that help manage and ease the symptoms of withdrawal, such as vomiting, anxiety, and nausea.
This article will familiarize you with the concept of natural detox, including some risks and special considerations. You will also learn how to detox your body from drugs in the best possible way and what treatment option you should choose to accomplish your goal.
What Is Drug Detox?
Drug detox is a process that helps the body get rid of toxic substances. However, since it doesn’t tackle the root cause of opioid dependence or addiction but only flushes the drugs out of a patient’s system, it’s not considered an effective solution.
Detox for drugs and alcohol usually lasts around 7 to 10 days, although the timeline depends on the severity of withdrawal symptoms, the dosage, and the patient’s overall health.
Once a person stops using a drug they are dependent on or reduces the dose; they can expect the symptoms of withdrawal to appear within the first 24 hours. While each person experiences withdrawal in a unique way, some psychological and physical symptoms are almost universal for everyone going through alcohol and drug detox, such as:
- Irritability
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Shaking
- Sweating
- Muscle pains
- Exhaustion
- Mood swings
- Confusion
Some substances, such as Vicodin, OxyContin, and heroin, are expected to produce more severe withdrawal symptoms. If you start having seizures, feel disoriented, or are confused and paranoid, you should seek medical attention right away.
Understanding Natural Drug Detox
Natural drug detox has the same goal as any other detox program—to eliminate toxic substances from your body. However, unlike medically supervised programs, it aims to remove toxins from your system without any alternative medication or home remedy.
Natural detoxification is based on the principle that all unnecessary chemicals are harmful chemicals. Thus, this type of detox doesn’t support the use of herbal concoctions throughout the process.
One of the main benefits of a natural detox is the price—or lack thereof. Unlike most medically assisted programs, a home detox is completely free.
However, it’s definitely not for everyone, as there won’t be any medications that can help ease the withdrawal symptoms once the patient starts tapering off the drug. These symptoms can be rather intense, and people often experience so much desperation that they would do anything to stop them, including resorting to their opioid of choice once again.
Risks of Natural Drug Detox
The risks of natural drug detox are more significant if you are dependent on alcohol or benzodiazepines. In this case, quitting ‘cold turkey’ could shock your body and cause life-threatening withdrawal symptoms, such as seizures.
The situation isn’t much better if you are dealing with an opiate addiction or heroin dependence, as they can also cause symptoms that put your life in danger. You are still at risk for an extreme response that can result in relapse and numerous health issues, such as malnutrition and severe dehydration, which can be life-threatening.
What Is Rapid Detox?
Rapid detox is a medical-assisted drug detox procedure during which the patient is put under anesthesia while a doctor monitors them in a hospital or clinical setting. The goal of the treatment is to process harmful drugs quickly.
With rapid detox, the detoxification process is finished in a few days, and the patient gets to avoid the majority of withdrawal symptoms.
Still, even though rapid detox might sound like a miraculous solution and an effective treatment for opioid addiction, it’s a very controversial and inadvisable option.
A study of 75 patients undergoing rapid detox yielded shocking results. Five patients who underwent this treatment had severe adverse reactions, which resulted in a hospital stay. Unfortunately, two patients died, which is why health authorities recommend against this treatment method.
Natural Detox: Elements and Guide
Diet, hydration, exercise, and healthy habits are the most important elements of a natural detox. Here’s what they entail:
#1. Diet & Nutrition
Diet and nutrition alone can’t help you get rid of drug dependence, but they can help ease the symptoms of withdrawal to an extent. Substance use recovery and diet are interconnected and affect each other.
Opioid abuse causes negative lifestyle changes, such as irregular eating and malnutrition. An improvement in diet mainly impacts the symptoms associated with the gastrointestinal system, such as:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
These symptoms can lead to an electrolyte imbalance and a lack of nutrients. Eating healthy meals can restore the balance in your body and reduce the chances of these symptoms having long-lasting adverse effects.
Opt for fiber-rich foods, such as fruit, beans, nuts, and seeds, and cut out fried and sugary foods as much as possible. Consider taking probiotics and prebiotics to secure the optimal functioning of your gastrointestinal system.
#2. Hydration
Proper hydration will help your kidneys flush out toxins. Likewise, drinking plenty of water will help you stay healthy during a drug home detox, as you may experience withdrawal symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea, both of which can leave you dehydrated.
While water reigns supreme regarding hydration, you can also opt for electrolyte drinks or tea. Green tea, in particular, can reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases and help improve your blood pressure, which can be negatively affected during a natural detox.
#3. Exercise
Regular exercise will help in more ways than one when undergoing a holistic detox treatment. Even though the kidneys and liver are the primary routes for drug excretion, some drugs, like morphine and methamphetamine, can be released through sweat.
While regular movement has undeniably positive effects on your physical well-being, it has just as many benefits for your mental health. Physical activity will help reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety, which frequently appear when going through opioid withdrawal.
#4. Healthy Habits
Creating and maintaining healthy habits will restore your mental and physical health, as well as keep you motivated to persist with your drug detox at home. Your new daily routine can consist of:
- Going outdoors every day. Nature has a healing effect, especially on mental health, so do your best to spend at least 15 minutes outdoors.
- Journaling. Journaling for 15 to 20 minutes daily will help you identify negative thoughts and create space for positive self-talk.
- Socializing. A natural detox is difficult on the body and mind, and socializing—as long as it’s with the right people who are sober and want to help—can positively affect your mental health. It will also reduce feelings of depression since you won’t feel isolated and lonely.
While all the listed natural drug detox elements can help reduce the severity of the withdrawal symptoms, they don’t guarantee success. The safest way to treat opioid use disorder and achieve long-term recovery is to look for medical help, preferably opting for Accelerated Neuro-Regulation (ANR).
ANR Treatment for Opioid Dependence
ANR treatment for opioid dependence differs from traditional treatment methods, as it addresses the root cause of addiction.
It works by re-regulating the opioid receptor system and returning the brain to its pre-addiction state. ANR eliminates cravings and opioid withdrawal symptoms, significantly reducing the chances of relapse.
The treatment offered by the ANR clinic is also focused on providing a personalized approach based on each patient’s unique medical history and needs. Therefore, it is suitable even for individuals with complex conditions.
Another significant advantage of the ANR clinic is the setting in which the treatment is performed. Since it’s a medical procedure, it’s always carried out in an ICU setting of accredited hospitals, ensuring the utmost safety for all patients.
Key Takeaways
Even though natural drug detox may sound like a noninvasive method because it doesn’t include any other medications, it’s far from perfect. It’s essential to keep all the risks this type of detox entails in mind and desirably opt for a more effective opioid addiction treatment, such as ANR.
Let’s summarize the most important points of this article:
- Drug detox refers to the process of eliminating unwanted chemicals from the body.
- Natural drug detox is a free option that aims to rid your body of toxins without the use of medication.
- Rapid detox is a very controversial method, as it can result in severe health conditions that require hospitalization or even death. Therefore, it’s not recommended as an alternative.
- Diet, hydration, exercise, and healthy habits can significantly help during natural detox.
- The ANR treatment for opioid dependence presents a superior way to treat your opioid addiction, as it significantly reduces any chances of relapse by treating the root cause of addiction.
