What is Detox?
Detox is the process where all traces of toxic substances are removed from the body, ensuring that a person is physically stable and ready to start therapy.
Addiction can result in your body becoming used to having the substances your system. When the toxins are gradually removed during detox, your brain will have to adjust to the sudden removal of these chemicals. This usually causes you to experience a set of unpleasant symptoms known as ‘withdrawal symptoms’.
An aided detoxification process aims to minimise the risk that comes with withdrawal symptoms and make the experience as safe as possible.
What Happens During a Medically Assisted Detox?
Medical assessment
The first step in a medically assisted detox is for you to have a thorough medical assessment in order to build an accurate picture of your needs. Our experts expert will gather information on your medical history and details about your addiction, and use this to develop a personalised detox plan.
Withdrawal
When the amount of toxic chemicals in your system is gradually reduced, you will typically begin to experience withdrawal symptoms. The type of withdrawal symptoms that are experienced, as well as how severe these are can vary greatly.
Physical withdrawal symptoms may include:
Nausea, diarrhoea and vomiting
Shaking and shivering
Sweating
Runny nose
High temperature and/or chills
Increased heart rate
Increased blood pressure
Headaches
Abdominal cramps
Muscle and bone pain
Exhaustion
Vivid and unpleasant dreams
Psychological withdrawal symptoms may include:
Irritability
Anxiety
Confusion
Paranoia
Insomnia
Depression
Agitation
Inability to concentrate
Extreme mood swings
Intense cravings for the substance
The most severe withdrawal symptoms include:
Hallucinations
Delirium
Seizures
What Can You Detox From?
An alcohol detox is defined as the natural process that occurs in the body as it attempts to rid the system of waste products and toxins from excessive, long-term alcohol consumption. In a treatment setting, alcohol detox is usually accompanied by medication, medical observation, and counselling. It is the first step in achieving sobriety.
Diazepam
The goal of Diazepam detox is to remove the drugs from the body while minimizing withdrawal symptoms. Detoxing from Diazepam can be dangerous without medical guidance. Most Diazepam users who want to quit follow a detox program that gradually reduces their doses, usually weekly. This minimizes the uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms and prevents dangerous complications such as seizures.
Ketamine
Detoxification is the first step in the process of recovery, as the drug is being purged from the user’s system. Because ketamine addiction is best stopped “cold turkey,” the detox process can be very difficult to endure. Intense cravings can occur as the user goes through the psychological discomforts experienced in detox. Typically, the user’s respiratory function and heart rate will be monitored closely during the early days of ketamine detox. This is to ensure the safety of the person in recovery.
LSD
If you have developed a tolerance to LSD or experiences frequent acid flashbacks, it may be time to think about detoxing. If you just want to feel supported and have help when detoxing from LSD, you can also opt for medical detox. If you are using LSD and have been diagnosed with a mental illness, seeking medical care at a facility is a good way to begin recovery.
Marijuana
While some can safely detox from marijuana on their own, doctors can prescribe medications to help reduce withdrawal symptoms. For example, metoclopramide or promethazine can help with nausea and vomiting. Headaches or muscle pains can be treated with paracetamol or ibuprofen.
Opioids
Full medical opiate detox is clinically recognised to be the safest and most successful way of stopping opiates. Full medical opiate detox is conducted within a residential environment, staffed by doctors, nurses and therapists trained in opiate detox.