What Is Drug Detox?
Drug detox, or drug detoxification, refers to the process of clearing drugs out of the system. This can be done naturally by allowing the body to eliminate toxins through the liver. However, in most cases, the term “drug detox” refers to the medicinal removal of drugs in drug-dependent people, also known as medical drug detox or medically supervised detox.
People dependent on drugs encounter drug withdrawal symptoms, such as vomiting, cravings, and depression, as drugs leave their bodies. This makes them highly susceptible to relapse. The purpose of drug detox programs is to minimize these withdrawal symptoms and make the process of detoxification and withdrawal as safe and comfortable as possible.
While you can detox from any type of drug that has a potential for dependence, detox from opioids—highly potent and addictive pain relievers—is especially common. Researchers from Duke University found that 75% of Americans who underwent inpatient drug detoxification between 2003 and 2011 were battling opioid addiction.
Besides opioids, people often undergo drug detox after becoming dependent on:
- Alcohol
- Benzodiazepines
- Sleep medications
- Stimulants, such as cocaine
Types of Detox
Some common types of detox include:
- Medical detox. Medical detox takes place under medical supervision and can be carried out in inpatient and outpatient settings. Inpatient detox entails staying in a drug detox facility throughout the treatment, whereas outpatient detox requires you to visit afacility for treatment sessions at predetermined times. More often than not, medical detox patients receive medication to ease their drug withdrawal symptoms.
- Rapid detox. Rapid detox is a medical procedure performed under anesthesia that uses opioid antagonists, such as naloxone, to precipitate withdrawal symptoms and swiftly flush opioids out of the system.
- Drug taper. Drug tapering involves gradually reducing the dosage until you can safely stop taking drugs altogether. Though this lessens the severity of withdrawal symptoms, depending on the specific drug you take and the extent of your drug use, you may need weeks, months, or even longer to wean off drugs using this method. For your safety, you should only taper off drugs under medical supervision.
- Natural detox. Natural detox entails detoxing from drugs without any medications. This usually happens at home and without medical supervision, which often leads to severe withdrawal symptoms, increasing the risk of relapse. Some people may use alternative treatments, such as acupuncture and herbal remedies, to ease discomfort.
How Does Drug Detoxification Work?
Drug detoxification works in three distinct phases: evaluation, detox process, and rehabilitation. While the exact process may vary from one drug detox center to another, this is the standard model most centers follow.
Here’s what to expect from each step:
#1. Medical Evaluation Pre-Detox
Before initiating the detox process, the drug detox clinic will evaluate your physical and mental health condition. Usually, patients undergo blood testing to determine the amount of drugs in their system and the amount of medication they will need.
To adjust the treatment plan to you as much as possible, the drug detox facility will also look into your medical, psychological, and drug abuse histories.
#2. Detox Process
During the detox process, the drug detox center will carry out the treatment, which may differ between facilities. Most commonly, patients receive fluids, medications, and other interventions to make the detox process more comfortable, reduce the risk of complications, and minimize withdrawal symptoms.
#3. Rehabilitation Process
The final step is to prepare the patient for a drug treatment program, as drug detox isn’t enough to ensure a lasting recovery from drug addiction.
This is especially true when it comes to opioid dependence and addiction, or opioid use disorder (OUD). Opioid detox only clears opioids out of the system, but it doesn’t treat the neurochemical imbalance induced by prolonged opioid use. Since it doesn’t treat the root cause of opioid abuse and addiction, detoxing from opioids isn’t nearly enough to sustain long-term results.
Ultimately, drug detox should be the first step toward recovery—but not the end goal. Therefore, after undergoing detox treatment, the staff of the detox facility will check your vitals, ensure you are stable, and help you prepare for the next stage of your drug addiction treatment.
How Long Does Drug Detox Take?
Drug detox can take anywhere between a few days and several months, as each detox center has a different timeline based on the specific procedures they provide. The duration of the drug detox process can also depend on various individual factors.
Namely, how long drug detox takes depends on:
- The type of drug, as some substances leave the system within hours, while others stay for several days
- The extent of drug use, i.e., how frequently, for how long, and at what doses you’ve been taking the drug
- Medical history and health condition, as certain ailments, such as liver disease, can impact how long drugs stay in your system
Polysubstance use and addiction can also prolong and complicate the detox process.
The physical withdrawal symptoms of most drugs tend to subside within a week or two, but certain detox treatments can condense the withdrawal process into a couple of days. Ultra-rapid opioid detox (UROD), for example, takes around 44 hours, including hospitalization.
However, the absence of the drug in the system doesn’t equal freedom from drug dependence; most patients suffer from cravings and other psychological symptoms after undergoing drug detox, leaving them vulnerable to relapse and overdose. Therefore, completing the drug detox fast isn’t nearly as important as fostering long-lasting recovery.
Withdrawal Symptoms and Side Effects of Drug Detox
People dependent on drugs experience various withdrawal symptoms once they stop taking the drug or reduce their dosage. Although these may vary depending on the drug, they are often painful and distressing. Drug detox centers may administer medications to help manage them.
The most common drug withdrawal symptoms include:
- Seizures
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Cravings
- Paranoia
- Confusion
- Depression
- Body aches
- Appetite loss
- Mood swings
- Hallucinations
- Sleep disturbances
- Trouble concentrating
It’s not uncommon for drug withdrawal symptoms to be the opposite of their typical effects. For example, opioids reduce pain but may cause constipation and euphoria; meanwhile, opioid withdrawal is associated with hyperalgesia, diarrhea, and dysphoria.
Although medical drug detox can help make acute withdrawal symptoms more bearable, it can also lead to various side effects you should be aware of.
Some of the most common side effects of drug detox are:
- Fatigue
- Nausea
- Anxiety
- Insomnia
- Psychosis
- Suicidal ideation
- Mood fluctuations
Are The Side Effects Preventable?
The side effects of drug detox aren’t preventable; it is impossible to predict and prevent them fully. In fact, it is both natural and expected to experience at least some adverse effects when the body is detoxifying from any toxins, especially drugs that are illicit or have not been taken as prescribed.
Nonetheless, you can reduce the likelihood of experiencing drug detox side effects by focusing on your mental and physical health. Specifically, eating nutritious meals, staying hydrated, and taking medication as prescribed can help your body prepare for drug detox and lessen side effects.
Risks of Medical Drug Detox
While medical drug detox is generally safer than at-home detox, it doesn’t come without risk.
The risks associated with medical drug detox include:
- Complications. Drug detox can sometimes lead to medical complications, especially in people with underlying health conditions, such as heart disease.
- Withdrawal symptoms. Though medications can help manage withdrawal symptoms, they don’t eliminate them; some symptoms may persist even after the treatment.
- Relapse and overdose. Since medical drug detox doesn’t eradicate withdrawal symptoms and drug addiction, patients face a high risk of relapse, which can lead to a potentially fatal drug overdose.
- Medication side effects. Some patients may experience allergic reactions and other adverse effects, such as nausea, lightheadedness, and headache, after being administered medication.
- Higher risk of accidents. Drug withdrawal and detox may cause dizziness and confusion, increasing the risk of falls, accidents, and injuries.
- Electrolyte imbalance and dehydration. Drug detox can lead to electrolyte imbalances, which may cause seizures and other complications. As such, staying hydrated during the detox process is of utmost importance.
Rapid detox is among the most dangerous drug detox treatments. Though it quickly clears opioids, rapid detox comes with considerable risks and side effects.
A study done by Richard J. Hamilton et al. suggests that UROD can lead to life-threatening complications, such as pulmonary edema, drug toxicity, and even death.
Moreover, medical drug detox may include potentially addictive medications. For example, benzodiazepines may be administered to reduce anxiety; however, these drugs also carry a risk for abuse and dependence, which may complicate the treatment.
What Happens After You Go Through a Drug Detox
After you go through a drug detox, your body will be cleared of drugs. However, this doesn’t mean you will be addiction-free as soon as you step out of the drug detox facility. On the contrary, drug detox is far from actually curing drug dependency; more often than not, patients experience intense cravings and other withdrawal symptoms after the detox.
In most cases, patients transition to further addiction treatment after drug detox to facilitate recovery, manage withdrawals, and prevent relapse.
While there are numerous addiction treatment programs—including inpatient and outpatient rehab, medication-assisted treatment (MAT), and more—they aren’t effective. To sustain lasting recovery, look for a treatment that addresses the root cause of drug addiction rather than merely treating its symptoms.
Does Drug Detox Cure Opioid Addiction?
Drug detox does not cure opioid addiction; it only rids the body of opioids.
Opioid addiction stems from the neurochemical changes that occur in the brain due to repeated opioid exposure. People who take opioids for an extended time will become dependent on them, as these drugs cause the body to stop producing endorphins while stimulating the production of opioid receptors. If left untreated, opioid dependence can lead to addiction.
The only surefire way to cure opioid addiction is to repair this opioid-induced neurochemical imbalance. Since drug detox fails to do so, it cannot cure opioid addiction, regardless of the claims some drug detox centers make.
Are You at Risk of Developing Other Mental Health Issues After a Detox?
Undergoing drug detox can put you at risk of developing other mental health issues. It can also exacerbate any co-occurring mental health disorders you have. It’s not unusual for people to struggle with anxiety and depression after completing drug detox; there have also been cases of patients suffering from psychosis following UROD.
Furthermore, drug detox does not rule out the possibility of post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS) or protracted withdrawal symptoms. Since PAWS typically manifests in psychological symptoms—depression, irritability, mood swings, anxiety, trouble sleeping, etc.—it can also take a toll on your mental health.
At-home detox carries an exceptionally high risk of side effects and complications, including the exacerbation of mental health problems. To minimize the risk of adverse effects, it’s crucial to detox from drugs under medical supervision and tailor the treatment to your medical history and needs.
Can You Detox From Opioids At Home?
Detoxing from opioids at home is very dangerous, which is why it is not recommended under any circumstances.
Detoxing from opioids without medical help poses a significant risk of severe opioid withdrawal symptoms, complications, and relapse. Those who have been battling opioid dependence for a long time or have been taking opioids in large doses face a particularly high risk of relapse when detoxing without medical supervision.
Quitting opioids “cold turkey” is even more risky, as it can induce intense withdrawal symptoms. These can not only put you at an increased risk of relapse and opioid overdose but also lead to life-threatening complications, such as extreme dehydration and electrolyte imbalance.
Quitting opioids is no easy feat, especially without medical supervision. While over-the-counter drugs and other home remedies can help alleviate some withdrawal symptoms, they only work to a certain extent. Some symptoms may only be treated with prescription medication, while others may require immediate medical intervention.
Unfortunately, many people relapse after attempting to quit opioids at home. Since detoxing from drugs reduces your tolerance to them, even your usual dose may be potent enough to cause an opioid overdose. If not treated promptly, it can be fatal.
All things considered, if you are dependent on opioids, it’s in your best interest to seek professional help to get off opioids safely and effectively.
When Should You Opt For a Medical Drug Detox?
You should opt for a medical drug detox if you want to break free from drug dependence and addiction.
Physical dependence on drugs is characterized by tolerance and withdrawal symptoms occurring upon discontinuation of the drug. If left untreated, it can lead to drug addiction, which is mainly psychological; people addicted to drugs lose control over their drug use. As devastating as it is, they cannot resist taking drugs, even if it negatively affects their life.
You may be dependent on drugs if:
- You have been taking prescription or illicit drugs for a long time
- You need to increase your drug’s dosage to recreate its initial effect
- You have experienced multiple unsuccessful attempts at stopping or reducing drug use
- You experience cravings or other drug withdrawal symptoms when you don’t have access to the drug
If you decide to undergo drug detox, remember that it is not a quick fix for drug dependence and addiction. Not only does it come with numerous risks, but it also isn’t likely to yield long-term results.
How to Choose a Drug Detox Center
Choosing the right drug detox center is of utmost importance for anyone looking to achieve lasting sobriety. After all, one of the downsides of drug detox is that the quality and safety of the procedure vary widely between different facilities.
When searching for a medical detox center, pay special attention to:
- Licensing and accreditation. All medical detox centers should be licensed and accredited in the state in which they are located. A simple Google search can ensure that the center is fully accredited to be performing the services they are providing. This information should also be readily accessible on their website.
- Staff quality. To ensure you feel comfortable and are in good hands throughout the treatment, research the qualifications of the staff to ensure they are experienced. You might also want to read reviews to gain insight into other people’s first-hand experiences with the drug detox facility and its employees.
- Availability of resources. Each drug detox center is different; some have private rooms while others only offer shared accommodation, some have a better nurse-to-patient ratio than others, and so forth. This is something you want to consider to ensure you pick a drug detox facility that best suits your needs and preferences.
While medical drug detox can be a first step to addressing drug dependence, medical drug detox isn’t a viable option for those wanting to overcome their opioid addiction.
In 1997, Dr. Andre Waismann developed the revolutionary Accelerated Neuro-Regulation (ANR)—the only opioid dependence treatment that re-regulates the endorphin-receptor system imbalance.
Unlike traditional opioid addiction treatments, ANR eliminates withdrawal symptoms. In doing so, it facilitates long-term recovery without the need for additional therapies, opioid replacement medication, counseling, and so forth.
ANR Clinic vs. Traditional Drug Detox Center
The ANR Clinic, which provides ANR treatment, differs from traditional drug detox centers in terms of quality, facilities, and staff competence.
While the quality and safety of drug detox treatments vary from one facility to the next, patient safety is a top priority at ANR Clinic. Therefore, all ANR centers adhere to the same safety and quality standards.
Whether in the U.S. or Brazil, ANR is performed in an ICU setting of fully accredited hospitals, which have all the medical equipment required to safely and effectively perform the procedure.
The ANR team includes anesthesiologists, critical care physicians, and other highly experienced board-certified healthcare professionals, maximizing the quality and safety of the ANR treatment. In addition, ANR has access to cardiologists, neurologists, and other medical experts and can thus be safely performed even on those with underlying health conditions.
In short, ANR Clinic offers what most traditional drug detox centers fail to provide: state-of-the-art facilities, highly experienced staff, an unwavering commitment to the highest patient safety care standards, and, most importantly, addressing the root cause of addiction.
Why ANR Is Better at Treating Opioid Dependence Compared to Drug Detox
ANR surpasses all traditional drug detoxes because it targets and addresses the underlying cause of opioid dependence by modulating the endorphin-receptor system. The therapeutic goal of the ANR treatment is to fix the opioid-induced neurochemical imbalance rather than simply clear opioids out of the system.
By restoring the brain to its pre-addiction state, ANR eliminates withdrawal symptoms, and cravings, thereby negating the risk of relapse. For this reason, ANR has an exceptionally high success rate; it has helped nearly 25,000 people worldwide overcome opioid dependence quickly, safely, and effectively.
Some other advantages ANR has over traditional treatments like drug detox include:
- Personalization. ANR is not a one-size-fits-all treatment like drug detox. The treatment is tailored to each patient, according to their medical history and needs. Not only does this negate the risk of side effects, but it also enables us to treat virtually everyone—including those with liver injury, heart disease, and other complex conditions.
- Cost-effectiveness. While drug detox can—and often does—lead to relapse, ANR eradicates opioid dependence at its root. This means that once you leave the treatment facility, you’ll no longer suffer from cravings or other withdrawal symptoms that could put you at risk of relapse. Therefore, ANR is a highly effective one-time investment into your well-being.
- Short treatment duration. Drug detox isn’t a comprehensive opioid dependence treatment, which means you’ll have to follow it up with MAT, inpatient rehab, or another treatment that can take weeks, months, and even years. This isn’t the case with ANR; the hospital stay for ANR patients lasts only 36 hours on average. In other words, ANR can help you resume an opioid-free life in a matter of days.
How to Start With ANR?
If you want to get started with ANR or learn more about this groundbreaking treatment, contact us today for a free, 100% confidential consultation.
Whether you’ve been struggling with opioid dependence for weeks or years, know that you’re not alone, and there’s a way out. We are here to listen to you, ease your concerns, and make the process smooth, easy, and safe.
Drug Detox FAQs
Some examples of drugs used in managing withdrawal symptoms include clonidine, lofexidine, phenobarbital, and diazepam. What type of drugs you’ll be administered during the detox process depends on several factors, including what drug you’re withdrawing from.
Various drugs, including antidepressants, opioid antagonists, and benzodiazepines, are used in medical drug detox for different purposes. If you suffer from anxiety during the drug detox process, for example, you may receive an antidepressant, such as mirtazapine.
Drug detox isn’t safe in the sense that it comes with various risks and side effects. These range from severe withdrawal symptoms and the exacerbation of mental health problems to relapse, overdose, and death. At-home detox is particularly dangerous; to detox from drugs as safely and efficiently as possible, consult with your doctor.
Going through drug detox if you are pregnant may increase the risk of complications, such as fetal distress, miscarriage, and preterm labor. Therefore, it’s in your best interest to discuss your options with your doctor before entering a drug detox program.
You can expect to experience withdrawal symptoms, such as nausea and headaches, during detox. These symptoms appear once the drug leaves your system and the body starts to adjust to the absence of the drug. Since severe withdrawal symptoms may lead to relapse and life-threatening complications, you should never detox from drugs without medical supervision.
