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The Truth about Detoxing Your Body from Drugs

by Ryan

Tommy sneaks a piece of candy without asking his parent. His Mom catches him in the act and says, “You are what you eat.” Like Tommy, I’m sure you’ve heard the same response before. Everything you put into your body whether it’s a hardcore drug or a vegetable has some positive effect you may not see at the moment but will have an everlasting effect that can change your life.

Your body breaks down chemical substances the same way it breaks down food or any drink. One of the last things we think about as we consume a perfectly warm doughnut with our coffee in the morning or when an addict shoots up heroin.

The difference is drug addicts can’t stop using a substance and develop chemical dependency after using the drug.

When the recovery process begins, the addict comes into a drug and alcohol rehab, and step one is detoxification. This process usually lasts 7-10 days depending upon the substance one may use.

If you’re looking for additional resources, try, “How to detox your body from drugs?”

Detoxing Your Body from Drugs

Many users try to detox their body at home. Organic methods include juicing, sauna, acupuncture, massage therapy, and other natural remedies. Many of these methods also lead to relapse if not medically monitored.

At-Home detox

When you’re an addict, and you hit the point where you become knowing enough is enough, you may try at home methods and remedies, but these can lead to death. Again depending on the substance, people have died trying to detox from substances such as alcohol. If you do decide to detox from home, which is not recommended, please remember the following:

1. Stay hydrated
2. Eat nutritious foods
3. Drink Vegetable Juice
4. Have a family member of friend supervise you
5. Keep a phone by you in case of an emergency

Again at-home detoxification can be deadly. Therefore, it’s not recommended. When you quit the drug, your body craves it. Be prepared for pain and other withdrawal symptoms you may face. Detox is the most painful part of the recovery process. Hence, why many medical professionals advice to look for an inpatient drug rehab center.

Detox with medical supervision

Detoxing under the supervision of medical professionals is the safer and more comfortable route to detox. Depending on the substance abused and the amount of time addicted to a substance, your body may experience anything from minor headaches and bearable symptoms to full-blown “I think I’m dying” side effects.

Read the side-effects of three commonly abused drugs and understand what you or your loved one may experience during detox.

Opioids: Withdrawal begins about 12 hours after the last dose and peaks within a day or two. Day two or three will likely feel like the worst day of your life. Remember this – if you can get through the first 72 hours, it’s smooth sailing.

While we can’t predict what symptoms you will experience from the cessation of prescription opioids or illicit heroin, there are some typical side-effects that accompany withdrawal. Many people describe feeling like they’ve come down with a horrible flu, and experience, chills, nausea, vomiting, muscle chest, headaches, insomnia, and chills.

While opioid withdrawal feels horrible, medical professionals will help you get through it. Medications to lower blood pressure, alleviate anxiety and decrease nausea and stomach upset will be provided. These prescriptions will not take away all of your discomforts, but they will help you feel like you’re not knocking on death’s door and facing the last day of your life!

Methamphetamines: Withdrawal symptoms generally start 24 hours after the last dose. The side-effects can seem so traumatic and painful that users often relapse if not detoxing within a medical setting. Common symptoms include fatigue, increased appetite, agitation, insomnia, paranoia, hallucinations, incoherent speech and suicidal thoughts.

It’s essential not to detox alone. Lots of internet resources claim that they can provide you with homeopathic remedies for home use that will alleviate your symptoms. Don’t believe them!

Withdrawal from meth is an agonizing process when done alone. Detoxing in a rehab center that employs medical personnel will help you avoid serious health complications and decreases the risk of relapse.

Alcohol: By far the substance with the most complicated, and potentially deadly withdrawal side-effects. The onset of withdrawal symptoms typically occurs 6-12 hours after the last drink. Common symptoms include depression, anxiety, headaches, nausea and vomiting, nightmares, fever, and irritability.

Delirium tremens is a severe form of alcohol withdrawal that causes confusion, tremors, and hallucinations. Alcohol withdrawal must be supervised by qualified medical providers that are trained to monitor and treat delirium tremens. This complication most often occurs in those who drink the equivalent of one pint of liquor a day for several months.

Delirium tremens is life-threatening. Approximately 1 out of every 20 people who experience alcohol withdrawal will suffer from delirium tremens. Don’t assume that you can withdrawal from alcohol at home. The odds just aren’t worth the risk.

The most important thing to remember about detoxing your body from drugs is that the unpleasant side effects are not permanent. You may be someone who sails through detox with just a few minor aches and pains, or you could be like the majority, and cling to your pillow, praying for relief from what feels like relentless torment.

There is comfort found when coming out of the dark and dreary period of detox. You will begin to realize, “If I can get through this, maybe I can get through another week of being sober.” One day passes, and then another…. and still another.

Medically supervised detox can lead to successful recovery at a rehab center. If you’re still not sure about rehab, search the benefits of inpatient drug rehab to see if this opportunity is something for you. With perseverance and ongoing support from sober peers and professionals, you can live a life of hope, promise and recovery.

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and Finally Remember:

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.”
– Matthew 7:7-8

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