One of the things that keep people from seeking treatment for a drug addiction issue is the fear of withdrawal. For some people, the onset of withdrawal symptoms is just enough to get them to abort any attempt to stop using their drug of choice.
Unfortunately, withdrawal symptoms will always be a part of the recovery process. If someone wants to get clean, there is a price they will need to pay for their past addictive behavior. That price is having to go through withdrawal.
As a point of reference, it might benefit you to understand exactly what kind of withdrawal symptoms you might encounter. Of course, it will depend on several factors, including, the drug being abused, the length of the addiction, and the depth of the addiction. Generally, here are the most common symptoms across the board:
- Profuse swating
- Breathing problems
- High blood pressure and escalating heart rate
- Nausea, vomiting, and some stomach cramping
- Hallucinations and or nightmares
- Concentration issues
- Convulsions and tremors
- Depression and anxiety
As you can see, some danger lurks when trying to stop using drugs. Just the same, it’s a process that most if not all drug addiction sufferers will need to face. While it is helpful for you to know what you might face when you are ready to stop the insanity of addiction, you might also benefit by knowing how long the process of detoxing will take. We will attempt to address that very issues in the next section.
How long does it take to detox from drugs?
Again, the time it will take to detox will depend on the same factors mentioned above. With that said, there are some general guidelines we can offer you. During the first 24 hours, most addiction sufferers will start to feel anxious and agitated about the absence of drugs. This is the body’s way of revolting because it is not getting what it craves.
Around the start of the second day, the addiction sufferer might experience issues with breathing, blood pressure, and heart rate. It’s also at this point that they might have to deal with stomach cramping, nausea, and vomiting. Heading into days three through five, the fireworks really start. The body might react with convulsions or tremors. The mind will see hallucinations. Also, any signs of psychological issues like depression and anxiety will start to set in.
This is the most critical part of the detox process. If the addiction sufferer can get past day five of withdrawal, they will pretty much be through the process. Over the last couple of days of withdrawal, the addiction sufferer should start feeling better. However, residual withdrawal symptoms could pop up every now and then. This could continue for a week or two but for the most part, the addiction sufferer’s body should be returning to normal. The only caveat to all of this has to do with clients who enter rehab with an extreme addiction to things like meth or heroin. In such cases, the client might need to go through what is referred to as a tapering program. As part of a tapering program, doctors will prescribe tapering drugs like methadone and suboxone. The whole point of a tapering program is to let the client go through the detox process at a slower and much safer pace.
Remember, detox programs are intended to make sure clients stay safe while they detox. Doctors prescribe tapering programs and drugs for that reason. The tapering process works by the doctor slowly decreasing the amount of “substitute drugs” the client is getting. As the administration of drugs decreases, so does the client’s reliance on their drug of choice. From a time perspective, a tapering program might take as long as a month to work its magic.
After the client stops using the tapering drug altogether, they might have some minor withdrawal symptoms with which to deal. For the most part, they should start feeling better and ready to start therapy. Before you should start worrying about the detox process, you must first come to grips with the fact you have an addiction issue.
Once you are able to clear that hurdle, your motivation to get treatment will increase. That is the point at which we want you to call us for help at 833-680-0165. We will be happy to provide you with information and invite you in to get the help you need,