What Does it Mean to Detox?
Detoxing your body from drugs and alcohol means that you are allowing the substance to leave your body fully. When drugs are abused frequently and over longer periods, your body gets used to that substance in your body so that when you try to quit, you have withdrawals. It’s the substance’s way of trying to stay in your body by signaling to you to use more. Detox involves allowing the substance to fully process through your body so that you become clean from the substance and don’t experience those withdrawals any longer.
How Do I Know If I Need Detox?
Those who become physically dependent on drugs will benefit from detox treatment not only for safety reasons but also to increase the likelihood of long-term sobriety. Dependence on substances occurs when individuals continue to use to the point that they build up a tolerance for the drug and have to use larger amounts or more frequently to get the same effect as when they first started using it. Once the body builds a tolerance and feels a need for the drug, individuals may experience withdrawal symptoms if the individual stops use of the drug suddenly.
Withdrawal symptoms and timelines are slightly different for each drug. Examples include:
- Withdrawal symptoms for opioids last 4-20 days, depending on the type used, and include nausea/vomiting, anxiety, insomnia, hot and cold flashes, sweating, muscle cramps, watery discharge from eyes and nose, and diarrhea.
- Withdrawal symptoms for benzos can last for several weeks and include anxiety, insomnia, restlessness, agitation/irritability, poor concentration, and muscle tension/aches.
- Withdrawal symptoms for stimulants last 3-5 days and include agitation/irritability, depression, increased sleeping and appetite, and muscle aches.
- Withdrawal symptoms for alcohol can last 2-10 days and include anxiety, sweating, tremors, dehydration, insomnia, increased heart rate, and blood pressure, nausea/vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, hallucinations, delirium, and agitation.
How to Detox Your Body From Drugs
Detoxing your body from drugs involves an end goal of stopping the use of the drug completely and allowing the drug to leave your body. As mentioned above, the time it takes for the drugs to leave your body depends on the individual and the type of drug they were using. When use is stopped, withdrawal symptoms are likely to occur. It’s important to seek medical help for detox for this reason. At best, withdrawal symptoms can be very uncomfortable and can trigger people to relapse because they are unable to manage the withdrawals on their own. At worst, withdrawal symptoms can be life-threatening. Therefore, it’s best to allow a medical professional to determine if you need inpatient care as you detox from substances because they will be prepared to help you manage your withdrawal symptoms.
How to Find Detox Centers in Southern California
West Valley Detox offers state-of-the-art treatment in a beautiful location. You will be able to receive quality treatment for your substance use and mental health concerns while being comfortable and healthy. Once you arrive, we offer medically assisted detox and residential treatment. We provide round-the-clock care with experienced and highly trained staff who are excited to provide you with one-on-one treatment. Our clinician-to-patient ratio of 3:1 allows this. In addition to therapy for addiction and mental health, we also offer help with nutrition, art therapy, grief counseling, yoga, life skills, and more. We will work alongside you to tailor an individualized treatment plan with our client-focused and highly customizable curriculum. There are over 14,000 drug rehab centers in the United States. But there’s only one West Valley Detox. Contact us today with a confidential and free call to start your journey to recovery.
