Detox programs are the first step on the pathway from addiction to lasting sobriety. The process cleanses your body from the harmful toxins substance abuse leaves behind. The cleanse helps your body regain normalcy and begin addiction recovery.
First Days of Detox Programs
The early days of detox programs are the hardest. In order to get through these early struggles, itโs important to come into treatment with a positive attitude. The best facilities will have compassionate staff members on hand throughout detox to provide support.
Only a few hours after entering detox, patients’ bodies start going through withdrawal. While withdrawal symptoms vary in severity, they often include:
- Sweating, muscle aches, and watery eyes
- Excessive yawning and insomnia
- Anxiety, agitation, and depression
- Headache and flu-like symptoms
- Nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting
- Hot flashes, fever, and cold chills
- Hallucinations, tremors, and seizures
While these symptoms wonโt be life-threatening under the proper care, they can be uncomfortable making help of a qualified drug or alcohol detox programs. Under medical supervision, professionals will ensure your safety and act accordingly if complications arise.
Factors that Influence Your Withdrawal Symptoms
Stopping drug or alcohol consumption can cause a wide range of symptoms affecting each person individually. Keep in mind that your detox experience wonโt be the same as someone else’s. Various factors affect how your body experiences withdrawal, including:
Length of Your Addiction
Using drugs or alcohol each day for an extended period of time causes greater tolerance for the substances, as well as stronger withdrawal symptoms.
Substances You Abuse
If you abuse only drugs or only alcohol, youโll experience symptoms related to those particular substances. However, using drugs and alcohol together causes comorbid dependence, which can cause withdrawal effects to intensify.
Average Dosage
How much you use affects your withdrawal symptoms, too. In general, the higher your dose, the worse your symptoms.
Whether You Have Co-Occurring Physical or Mental Illness
Having a mental illness along with your addiction makes symptoms worse. These illnesses include depression, anxiety, PTSD, ADHD, bipolar disorder, and other conditions. The same is true if you have a co-occurring physical problem, such as chronic pain.
Drug Half Life
Your abused substances are either short-acting or long-acting. Short-acting means your withdrawal symptoms will start almost immediately after your last dose. Long-acting means you may not start withdrawal for one or more days.
How Ashley Addiction Stands Out from Other Detox Programs
Being in a detox facility gives you access to 24-hour supervision and medical care when you need it. At Ashley Addiction Treatment in Havre de Grace, Maryland, our on-site detox program keeps you comfortable, well-cared for, nourished and supported throughout your detox. After finishing the detox process, youโll transition into one of our core substance abuse programs.
They include:
- Inpatient Care for adults
- Extended Careย for individuals seeking a second chance for strong recovery after relapse
- Emerging Adult program for men and women ages 18โ25
With the right treatment, you or someone you love can fully recover from drug or alcohol addiction. If youโre ready for your best chance of lasting recovery, call Ashley Addiction Treatment at 866-313-6310.