Addiction is a powerful epidemic, impacting as many as 40 million Americans. Unfortunately, however, many of these individuals do not seek treatment for their addiction. Oftentimes, they are concerned about the initial detox process. Nevertheless, though the cravings and withdrawal symptoms associated with detox are unpleasant, this process has countless long-term benefits. This fear may cause many to wonder what happens during detox. At our drug detox in Atlanta, we provide medication-assisted treatment and around-the-clock supervision to ensure that the withdrawal process goes over as smoothly and safely as possible.
What is Drug Detox?
Detoxification or “detox” refers to the process of cleansing someone’s body of all drugs and toxins before entering a drug or alcohol addiction treatment program. In fact, this initial step towards sobriety is essential in preventing relapse and improving a person’s overall health. Medically-supervised detox programs provide 24/7 support and supervision in order to maintain stability and monitor progress.
Common Drug Withdrawal Symptoms
Specific withdrawal symptoms depend on the drug someone is detoxing from and how severe the addiction is. That being said, there are certain symptoms that are common across the board. These include:
- Cravings
- Nausea and vomiting
- Headache
- Flu-like symptoms (congestion, runny nose, sore throat)
- Anxiety and depression
- Fever
- Profuse sweating
- Shakiness
- Fatigue
- Insomnia
What Happens During Drug Detox in Atlanta, GA?
The first step in our detox protocol is ensuring the vitals are stable. We will then evaluate the individual’s overall condition to determine what medications would be most useful at this time. Once decided, they get certain medications to help relieve cravings and lessen withdrawal symptoms. These medications include:
- Methadone: This opioid agonist makes the brain think someone is still using opioids, without getting them high.
- Buprenorphine: This is given to prevent relapse long-term as it works similarly to methadone but is less potent.
- Clonidine: This medication helps with withdrawal symptoms such as feelings of anxiety, upset stomach, and muscle aches.
- Acamprosate: This medication is crucial in reducing long-term symptoms of alcohol withdrawal including sleep disturbances and severe anxiety.
Can I Quit Drugs Cold Turkey?
Quitting drugs cold turkey leads to severe cravings and grave withdrawal symptoms. In addition, the complications that result from abruptly stopping drug use cause significant emotional and physical damage. Unfortunately, this damage can be lethal. The following withdrawal symptoms can become out-of-hand if you quit drug or alcohol use cold turkey:
- Seizures
- Delusions
- Hallucinations
- High blood pressure
- Cardiac arrest
- Increased heart rate
- Delirium
Can I Detox at Home?
Given the dangerous nature of withdrawal symptoms, we heavily advise that you only detox at a professional facility. Furthermore, if complications should arise while detoxing at home, you will be unable to receive immediate medical attention, which can result in death. Additionally, the side effects associated with withdrawal are painful and difficult to control without proper medication. Therefore, your chances of relapse are also much higher when detoxing on your own as your cravings become unmanageable.
What Drugs Require Detox?
Our drug detox in Atlanta can help people detox from a variety of substances. To support this, we offer programs specifically catered to the drug you are misusing as we know different substances have varied timelines and side effects. Drugs we offer detox for include:
Opiates
Opiates are derived directly from the poppy flower, such as morphine and codeine. In the majority of cases, withdrawal symptoms start within 24 hours of a person’s last dose.
Prescription Drugs
The length of prescription drug detox varies depending on the exact substance being used and how long the drug stays in a person’s system. Fortunately, we offer detox for CNS depressants such as benzodiazepines, opioid painkillers, and prescription stimulants such as ADHD medications.
Heroin
Heroin is an incredibly addictive substance that wreaks havoc on countless lives. Given that it is a short-acting opioid, withdrawal symptoms start as soon as 6 hours following an individual’s last dose.
Cocaine
The side effects associated with cocaine detox present within 24 to 72 hours after an individual’s last dose. These symptoms lessen after about a week; however, drug cravings might persist.
Meth
Methamphetamine withdrawals are known to last for an extended period of time and be particularly painful. Symptoms surface within the first 48 hours and have the potential to continue for weeks.
Alcohol
Alcohol is associated with some of the most dangerous withdrawal symptoms, including seizures, and hallucinations. These side effects begin to surface as early as 6 hours following a person’s last drink.
Drug Detox Timeline
The exact length of detox depends on the person, the type of drug they are addicted to, and the severity of their addiction. Though drug detox timelines vary, the withdrawal process generally follows the below stages:
- Anticipatory: This is the first stage in detox and is characterized by mild symptoms and drug cravings. Symptoms include preliminary feelings of anxiety or fear.
- Early Acute: During this stage, the physical symptoms of withdrawal surface. These include upset stomach, tremors, insomnia, and excessive sweating.
- Fully-Developed Acute: Symptoms and cravings peak in this stage, meaning they are the most severe and dangerous during this time.
- Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome (PAWS): PAWS refers to withdrawal symptoms that last for weeks or even months following detox. These symptoms include trouble sleeping, continued cravings, and general sadness. If a person does not detox properly at a qualified facility then they are at a high risk of developing PAWS.
Benefits of a Drug Detox Program in Atlanta, GA
There are several benefits of detoxing at Retreat of Atlanta, regardless of finding treatment near our Athens, Atlanta, Columbus, Savannah, or Alpharetta locations. The most notable of these is that detox will get someone on the right track, so they can find lasting recovery. If funding is a concern, we accept Aetna and PHCS insurance to name a few. Additionally, another benefit of attending a drug detox in Atlanta is that they will be immersed in a safe and secure environment. There, they can focus on recovery, away from the triggers and stressors of the outside world.
We also provide 24/7 supervision. Our knowledgeable staff monitor all vitals and progress throughout the duration of detox. We manage patients’ symptoms and cravings with the appropriate medications, allowing for an overall more pleasant experience. Additionally, we offer activities such as yoga and meditation to help them get their mind off of using and onto personal growth.
It is key to note while detox is important, it is only the first step in recovery. Following detox, our addiction counselors will create a treatment plan based on their specific needs. It will consist of a mix of evidence-based clinical methods and holistic approaches aimed at healing the mind, body, and soul. These treatment modalities include:
- Expressive therapy
- Group therapy
- Trauma-focused treatment
- Motivational interviewing
- Family therapy
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy
Begin Our Drug Detox in Atlanta, GA Today
When you are ready to reclaim your life from drugs, assistance is only a phone call away. The Retreat of Atlanta team has seen cases like yours before and is ready to provide you with the assistance you need at our drug detox center. You are capable of living the most fulfilling life possible. Give yourself the chance at the drug-free future you deserve by giving us a call or visiting our admissions page.
