Drug and alcohol addiction is a disease that ruins lives every day. In California alone, there have been as many as 8,908 deaths recorded in one year.
Deciding to seek treatment is a huge step to taking one’s life back, but it can be daunting. There are so many different treatment options to choose from, and if you need a medical detox, you’ll need to check yourself into an alcohol and drug detox program.
It’s understandable to be anxious about what to expect when enlisting in addiction treatment, so if you’d like to know more about the drug detox timeline, keep reading. Here’s what to know and expect.
What Is a Drug Detox Program?
When someone is addicted to drugs, it does certain things in the body. In the case of alcohol and some illicit substances, like heroin and fentanyl, the body can become physically dependent on them. In severe cases, going “cold turkey” (or without professional medical assistance) can be life-threatening.
If you’re addicted, then to come off alcohol or drugs safely, checking yourself into a recovery center that can monitor and assist you through the withdrawal process is essential to a chance at a safe recovery.
What To Expect From Drug Detox
There’re a few stages of medical detox—first the medical assessment. When you check yourself in, the medical expert will give you a thorough evaluation to see what they’re dealing with. It’s essential to be 100% honest with your medical doctor.
Once the drugs in your system start wearing off, you’ll begin the withdrawal process. Detoxing from drugs can be extremely painful and uncomfortable and is typically the stage where someone relapses if they’re trying to get sober alone. Withdrawal symptoms can include, but are not limited to:
- Shaking
- Shivering
- Nausea and vomiting
- Sweating
- Diarrhea
- Fever/chills
- Cramps
- Muscle and bone pain
- Extreme fatigue
A medical professional will monitor you throughout this withdrawal stage and may decide to administer medication that can help ease the process. Unfortunately, no medicine will remove all withdrawal symptoms. You’ll still have to go through it, but meds will reduce the discomfort and dangers.
Finally, during your detox, which could take anywhere from seven to ten days, medical professionals actively monitor you, making coming off drugs a much safer experience. Once your drug detox program is finished, you either go home or enlist further treatment in an inpatient rehabilitation facility.
Start Your Recovery Journey and Get Medically Detoxed Today
Too many addicts never get clean because they don’t know what to expect from an alcohol and drug detox program or treatment facility. Because they don’t understand it, they avoid it, which means they never seek recovery. However, alcohol and drug detox programs are there to help you recover safely with the aid of medical professionals.
If you’re looking for a medical detox and drug rehab facility in San Diego, get in touch with us and see what we offer you and your loved ones. Begin your recovery journey with us today.