When you quit or cut down on the amount of drugs or alcohol you’re using, your brain and body must go through a period of adjustment.
This process is called withdrawal, and it can cause both physical and psychological symptoms. How long this process lasts, and how severe it is, depends on many factors, such as your age, physical health, how long you’ve been using, the substances you are using and the method of withdrawal.
Physical Dependence
When you’ve taken a drug for a long time, your body comes to rely on it to feel normal. Your body is used to functioning with the drug in its system, so when you stop taking the drug, it goes into shock. Common withdrawal symptoms include sweating, chills, shaking, irritability and insomnia.
Psychological Dependence
As your brain becomes dependent on drugs or alcohol, it starts to believe it needs these substances to function. You might think you need the substances for specific situations, such as attending a party or unwinding after work. Or, you might think you need them all the time. Common psychological symptoms include irritability, anxiety, depression, hallucinations and delirium.
What does the Detox and
Withdrawal Period Look Like?
Detox refers to the process of eliminating drugs, alcohol and toxins from the body. Withdrawal refers to a set of symptoms that you might experience as you quit or cut down on your use. Withdrawal symptoms typically start within hours of when you stop using drugs or alcohol and decrease after a few days.
While the detox process will look different depending on the drug you’re using, how you’re using it and how long you’ve been using it, here is a general timeline of what to expect:
First Day
Withdrawal symptoms begin to appear and worsen. Common symptoms are shaking, nausea, headaches and irritability.
Second Day
The symptoms are similar to the first day, though usually more intense, and may also include seizures, tremors and disorientation.
Rest of the Week
During the first week of detox, withdrawal symptoms come and go. The symptoms typically reach their peak and then slowly start to get better. To keep you comfortable and safe, it’s best to complete this process in a medically supervised detox facility. Some withdrawal symptoms can be life threatening.
After One Week
Most people have gone through the worst by this point. Some symptoms may linger, but they can generally be controlled with medication.
Once detox is complete, you will move onto therapy. This is where you will heal physically, emotionally and mentally in a safe, supportive setting. Huntington Beach Recovery Center offers both detox and residential inpatient treatment. This way, you can get sober and start therapy all with the same treatment team. There are no gaps or transitions to complicate the process.
Safe, Effective Medical Detox at
Huntington Beach Recovery Center provides a comfortable, upscale facility for detox and rehabilitation. When you arrive at our facility, our clinical team will conduct a full assessment to determine the level of care you need. You will then start the detox and withdrawal process, but you will not be alone. We will be there with you every step of the way.
The benefits to choosing our detox facility in Huntington Beach CA are:
Around-the-Clock Supervision
and medical monitoring
Medications and Therapies
to keep you comfortable
Higher Chance for Success
and long-term recovery
Safe, Supportive Environment
from highly trained medical professionals
Customized Treatment Plans
with the ability to adjust your care as needed
Detox is the first step in the recovery process, and it doesn’t have to stand in your way of getting sober.
Contact Huntington Beach Recovery Center to learn more about our detox program.
