When drug or alcohol use has spun out of control, it’s time to look into treatment. The first step to taking back control of your life by going through a detox program at a drug and alcohol detox center. Going through this vital first step and through the drug detox timeline can give you a strong foundation for lifelong recovery.
While doctors and detox specialists can give estimates based on your experience with addiction, the truth is, the drug detox timeline depends on many factors specific to your history of substance abuse. However, in a high-quality detox center, you’ll receive personalized care that can
Why Should You Go to a Detox Center?
Detox is a crucial aspect of recovery. You simply cannot progress through treatment while you continue to use drugs or alcohol. But the problem is, your body has come to expect the substance you use, and it has something to say about it when you start addressing your substance abuse. That’s when the withdrawal period starts. Symptoms of withdrawal will vary from person to person, but might include:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Restless
- Anxiety
- High blood pressure
- Heart palpitations
Sometimes during withdrawal, these symptoms can become very severe — and even life-threatening. However, in a detox center, you’ll have medical support from treatment professionals, as well as counseling that can help you make it through this process. Detox can be challenging, but once you get through to the other side of the drug detox timeline, you will feel much better and think more clearly.
The Drug Detox Timeline
It’s difficult to project a single drug detox timeline that will fit every individual’s experience. Different drugs have different impacts on your body.
Generally speaking, though, the most intense period of withdrawal occurs in the first week or two for most drugs. At that point, you begin to move gradually into other forms of treatment and counseling.
Crucial to the drug detox timeline is how your body reacts. But some typical times for the withdrawal symptoms of certain drugs to peak include:
- Sleeping medication – A few days to a week
- Opioids – Hours to a week
- Sedatives – One to three days
- Methamphetamine or cocaine – One to two weeks to peak, with recurrences over months
The drug detox timeline is only the first part of the process. Residential treatment programs, from beginning to end, last on average about 90 days. These programs address any lingering psychological withdrawal symptoms and cravings.
In order for those in recovery to make lasting changes to their lives, they need to stick with their treatment program until they can successfully return to their everyday lives without relapsing. Successful outcomes depend on the individual staying in treatment for enough time to gain the full benefits.
Addiction Treatment After Detox
Detox is crucial to your recovery, but you have more work to do once it’s done. Following detox, you enter a period of inpatient or outpatient treatment and therapy services. Working with trained therapists, you will seek and find answers about how you came to this point. Some of the types of therapy you might participate in during a treatment program include:
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy
- Dialectical behavior therapy
- Motivational interviewing
- Family therapy
- Group therapy
- Art therapy
- Yoga therapy
Most importantly, you will work with your treatment team to develop coping skills that will serve you better in the future. Staying active in addiction recovery helps reduce the risk of relapse and having to go through detox again.
Start Drug Detox Today
If you’re heading into drug detox, it’s understandable that you want to get it over with as quickly as possible. However, going through the drug detox timeline the right way is crucial. The truth is, your drug detox timeline may be different from someone else’s. It moves at your own pace. At Midwest Detox Center our trained clinical staff will guide you through detox and get you ready for the next phases of your recovery.
Our drug detox center is made up of caring and concerned specialists, who understand the latest, evidence-based techniques of addiction medicine. We can guide you through detox and transition you through continuing care programs.
If you or a loved one needs help with drug abuse, contact Midwest Detox Center. Call 833.647.0392 today to speak with a detox specialist confidentially.
