Drug Detox

What is Drug Withdrawal?

Breaking the cycle of drug dependence is hard and even more challenging if you do it alone. Withdrawal symptoms can take a toll on individuals trying to quit.

The drug detox process is necessary to give the body a clean and fresh start. It can be an uncomfortable process, but the risks of continuing to live with substance dependence far outweigh the discomforts of drug detox.

Drug withdrawal is a combination of the health risks and set of symptoms that a person battling drug addiction experiences when they suddenly discontinue using or drastically reduce intake. When a person attempts to give up the addictive substance, their body goes through uncomfortable mental and physical symptoms triggered by unfulfilled cravings.

Confronting drug addiction is, in all phases, a difficult process. However, research shows that withdrawal is often the hardest part for individuals battling this addiction. Dependence on drugs puts the body in an unnatural state, whereby its functioning entirely depends on the addictive substance

Drug Withdrawal Symptoms

Withdrawal symptoms largely depend on the addictive substance in question and the extent of misuse.

The commonly reported drug withdrawal symptoms include:

• Irritability
• Muscle aches
• Mood swings
• Nausea and frequent vomiting
• Irregular breathing
• Blood pressure changes
• Restlessness and tremors
• Insomnia
• Stomach upsets
• Anxiety
• Chills
• Seizures
• Loss of appetite
• Fever and sweating
• Hallucinations

How Long Do Withdrawal Symptoms Last?

The entire process may take 7 – 14 days. The withdrawal timeframe depends on these few factors:

• The type of drug and addiction history
• Whether more than one substance was abused during the same period
• The patient’s overall health history

Withdrawal symptoms may persist for much longer than the initial withdrawal phase, some of these symptoms may be psychological in nature and may be linked to the presence of a substance use disorder (drug addiction). Treating both dependence and addiction may be the necessary approach to reduce the likelihood of relapse.

Before you commit to a detox, we recommend speaking with a medical professional to ensure it is safe to do so. Detoxing without proper support can be dangerous, and in some cases even fatal.