Detox is a crucial first step for those trying to beat substance addiction. Some rehabilitation is mostly required for most people who suffer from drug abuse and need to stop. It may feel daunting before taking the first steps of rehabilitation, however, safe detoxication of opioids can help you get back on your feet and take life by the horns.
When someone uses drugs or alcohol excessively over a long period of time, their body becomes dependent on it. This means that the person must take medicine to function normally. When drugs are taken and removed from a person’s system, they will experience numerous negative symptoms, both physical and mental. If the substance is taken too quickly or in the wrong environment, this can lead to additional or even worse negative consequences.
If someone has experienced these adverse effects, would it be advisable to use an addiction recovery program. This will help the user get support from medically trained staff who will have the ability to assist with the recovery process. Stopping the use of these substances through addiction treatment can have nasty effects, but can even be potentially fatal if the drug is very strong and the addiction is prolonged. If a medicine has been chronically abused and the patient has pre-existing medical conditions or mental problems, a professionally supervised detox is highly recommended. Other situations may not be as harsh, and withdrawal may be nasty but manageable. This means that the person most probably doesn’t need a close medical examination, but some additional help may be needed. Social detox may be a better route, one that places the recovering addict in a situation where assistance is available if needed.
How long does the detoxication process take?
The amount of detoxication time will entirely rely on the drug used and the degree of abuse. There is no set timeframe for how long it will take. For some drugs, the process may only take a few hours, for others it may take weeks before the substance is entirely excreted from the patient’s body.
Factors that play a role that can increase or decrease the time it takes to detox include:
- Drugs of abuse
- Level, dosage, and duration of use
- Presence of poly-substance abuse
- Detox setting
- patient goals
- Prior detoxication efforts
- Individual health conditions
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) states that the average time it takes to detox is under eight days. Some substances, such as methadone and buprenorphine, may take longer than this because they remain in the system longer. If so, a method will often be followed to slowly reduce the amount of medicine the patient takes over a long period of time. By reducing gradually the rate of withdrawal won’t be as intense, and the amount of suffering as a result of this will even be reduced.
Everyone has the right to complete control over their mental and physical body. When you are under addiction, it can be difficult to fully understand life. Rehab centers are an awesome way to help get you back on course.
