The intensity of withdrawal symptoms often overshadows the desire to quit using drugs or alcohol. At a medical detox center in Gulf Breeze, FL, we understand the importance of having support to get through detox’s physical and psychological symptoms. If you need a drug detox center or an alcohol detox center in Florida, help is available. A licensed program offers compassionate, around-the-clock care in a private, comfortable environment, where you have the medical and clinical support needed to detox safely. Deciding to get sober is life-changing.
Understanding the Stages of Detox
When you regularly use drugs or alcohol, your brain adjusts to their presence and ultimately becomes reliant on them to function normally. Experiencing withdrawal symptoms is often an unavoidable response to the sudden decline or absence of drugs or alcohol. If not medically managed, these symptoms can be severe and sometimes life-threatening.
The stages of a detox vary depending upon the type and amount of substance or substances in the system, the length and severity of dependence, and your general physical and mental health. Following is a general timeline of the stages of detox for some commonly abused substances:
- Alcohol – The first withdrawal symptoms can begin within a few hours of the last drink and generally peak within 24 to 72 hours. For individuals with severe alcohol addiction, delirium tremens (DTs) can begin within 48 to 72 hours and last for several days.
- Benzodiazepines – Symptoms usually begin within one to four days and peak in about two weeks. However, some individuals can experience symptoms for months.
- Short-acting opioids – Symptoms typically begin within eight to 24 hours and persist between four to ten days.
- Long-acting opioids – Symptoms may not begin for two to four days from the last use and usually subside within ten days.
Withdrawal symptoms can be physically and psychologically intense and uncomfortable. A medical detox center can provide the medical and clinical support needed to manage withdrawal symptoms as comfortably and safely as possible.
Common Withdrawal Symptoms
Psychological symptoms of withdrawal include:
- Intense cravings
- Irritability and agitation
- Extreme mood swings
- Anxiety and depression
- Paranoia and confusion
Physical symptoms of withdrawal include:
- Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
- Fever, chills, sweating
- Shivers and shaking
- Increased heart rate and blood pressure
- Headaches and exhaustion
- Abdominal cramps, muscle aches, bone pain
- Vivid or unpleasant dreams
Alcohol, benzodiazepines, opiates, amphetamines, and cocaine are associated with the most challenging withdrawal symptoms. Alcohol withdrawal is considered very dangerous and can become life-threatening. Individuals who are cross-addicted experience more intense symptoms. Typically, the first 72 hours of detox are the most challenging, and then symptoms begin to ease.
5 Benefits of Medical Detox
Detox is essential to the recovery process. Without medical supervision, detox is usually unsuccessful because individuals are driven to their substance of choice to alleviate the discomfort of withdrawals. Attempting to detox at home by going cold turkey reduces the likelihood of successfully detoxing. The main benefit of a medically supervised detox is that it is more likely to succeed. Other significant benefits include:
- Professionally administered prescription medications can ease the severity and discomfort of withdrawals.
- It can uncover and lead to the proper treatment of co-occurring disorders and diseases.
- It offers a safe and comfortable sober environment away from stressors that can trigger the desire to use.
- Medical detox prepares you for the next stages of treatment by freeing your body of physical dependence so you can focus on understanding the causes of substance abuse.
- It is safer and better for your overall health and well-being.
In addition to easing the withdrawal symptoms, medical detox provides 24-hour access to care, including healthy meals, nutritional deficiencies, screening for other health issues, and mental health support.
Get on the Road to Recovery with a Medical Detox Center in Gulf Breeze, Florida
Detox is not a cure for addiction. However, it provides freedom from physical dependence on drugs and alcohol, clearing the way to uncover and work through the underlying issues that contributed to your substance use disorder. Find the help you need to begin your recovery journey in beautiful Gulf Breeze, Florida.