Typically, when people talk about detox, they mean one of two things: the process of quitting a substance or a treatment program for detoxification. Detoxing from medications or liquor includes getting the body free from substances and dealing with any withdrawal side effects that happen. Withdrawals fall into two main categories: post-acute withdrawal, which is more closely related to the psychological symptoms and requires effective ongoing treatment to safely manage, and acute withdrawal from alcohol, which consists of symptoms of medical withdrawal that necessitate immediate medical attention. The duration of the entire process can range from a few days to several years, depending on a number of factors, such as the length of time the substance has been used, the frequency and severity of its use, and the physical dependence on it.
Process of Detoxification and Lasting
For example, alcohol can be eliminated from the body in a few days, but getting rid of cravings can take much longer. The detoxification process lasts for a variety of reasons, including the following –
- Which drug was misused?
- if multiple drugs were used in excess.
- how frequently the user abused the drug.
- Whether the substance was inhaled, smoked, or both
- how much the user ingested of the substance.
- when the substance was last taken in.
- the presence of other mental health problems that go hand in hand.
- the patients’ medical background.
Other prescribed medications that may make withdrawal symptoms more difficult to manage.
- The patients age.
- Gender of the patient.
Duration of the Detox Treatment Program
Programs for detox are meant to help people through the withdrawal process. Detox programs typically last between three and ten days, depending on the medical necessity, although the amount of time required to detox from substances varies from person to person. Detox is regarded as the initial phase of addiction recovery; however, it should not be viewed as an alternative to any subsequent required treatment programming or therapy.
Because detoxification on its own does not address the mental, social, and behavioural issues that are associated with addiction, it typically does not result in the kind of long-lasting behavioural changes that are necessary for recovery.
Duration of the Detox Depends on the Drug or Substance Used
Different substances remain in the body for varying amounts of time, affecting the duration of the detox for each. A person can typically detox from substances within a week, although cravings may persist for months. Vomiting and diarrhoea are two of the most serious withdrawal symptoms that appear to be non-fatal. However, these symptoms can lead to rapid dehydration, which can be fatal. As a result, medically supervised detox is a feature of the majority of addiction treatment programs and is strongly encouraged.
Symptoms of Withdrawal of Alcohol
- Anxiety, insomnia, and shaking are the first withdrawal symptoms.
- Within 72 hours, symptoms peak.
- There may be seizures, fever, and hallucinations.
- The physical effects of withdrawal diminish.
- May have cravings until they are treated in therapy.