When patients first decide to seek treatment, one of their first questions is how long does drug detox take. Depending on the patient’s addiction length, the type of drug used and other factors, the answer to this question can vary. The important thing is to seek treatment at a professional facility. With help, individuals can overcome their addiction and lead healthier lives.
How Long Does Drug Detox Take at Home?
As a rule, it is never a good idea to undergo detox at home. While some people are able to successfully quit alone, this can be a dangerous option. No matter what you hear about self-detox or rapid drug detox, the only safe place to detox is at a center with detox at its core. Withdrawal symptoms are common during detox, and professional medical care is necessary to prevent the symptoms from becoming severe and dangerous.
At a treatment center, patients are prevented from relapsing because they are under continuous supervision. This quality of care is not available at home. Because of this, people who detox at home may be more likely to relapse.
How Long Does Drug Detox Take for Different Kinds of People?
Everyone has a unique physical chemistry. Different genetic factors can make an addiction harder to treat. Plus, some drugs are harder to detox from than other substances. The following factors can determine how long it takes to detox:
- The individual’s unique physiology
- The amount of the drug taken each day
- Co-occurring mental disorders
- The length of time the individual actively used drugs
- The other types of drugs or alcohol used
- The type of detox care.
Each of these factors can make detox take a longer or shorter amount of time. Someone who had a longer, more intense addiction will generally spend more time in detox than an individual with a less severe addiction. Likewise, co-occurring disorders can make an addiction harder to treat. It is important to get help with all aspects of the addiction as well as any other mental or physical disorders during treatment.
The Stages of Detox
This amount of time can change based on the severity of the addiction and other medical problems. The initial part of detoxification is often the most intense. Several hours after the last dose of drugs, the individual may begin to experience withdrawal symptoms. They may develop insomnia, watery eyes, excessive yawning, a runny nose, agitation, sweating, muscle pain or yawning.
In serious cases, patients may experience more severe symptoms of withdrawal. Some drugs lead to symptoms of violence or psychosis. During psychosis, the patient may experience delusional thinking and hallucinations. Other symptoms like heart attacks and strokes can happen but are generally less common. Since some of these symptoms can be dangerous, it is important to have medical help during detox.
After acute withdrawal symptoms have finished, patients may still experience symptoms like insomnia, agitation and cravings. For some people, depression and insomnia may last for several weeks after the initial detox process has finished. Since drugs rewire the way the brain functions, it can take some time for the mind to return to normal.
Some of the most common withdrawal symptoms are:
- Mood swings
- Agitation
- Insomnia
- Fatigue
- Irritability
- Vomiting
- Tremors
- Headaches
- Nausea
- Cravings
- Sweating
- Chills
The Factors Affecting Detox
In answering the question, how long does drug detox take, it is important to look closely at the person’s unique situation. The length of detox is influenced by:
1. Physiology
This means the individual’s physical health, genetics and tolerance. Everyone has a different body and unique genetics. These factors determine how quickly someone develops a tolerance and how easy it will be to break that tolerance.
Some people are able to get through withdrawal symptoms in just a few days. For other patients, it takes several weeks for the symptoms to disappear. In addition, the individual’s physiology can determine the type of symptoms that they experience during withdrawal.
2. Dosage
Detox duration can depend on the amount of the drug used and the half-life of the drug. A drug with a long half-life takes longer to leave the body. For these types of drugs, it may be necessary to spend more time in a detox facility.
Likewise, the amount of the drug used also matters. Someone who uses a higher dosage of the drug will generally need more time in detox. Detox will take longer for someone who has spent decades dealing with an addiction. If the individual has only been addicted for a few months, they may be able to spend less time in detox.
3. Co-Occurring Disorders
Sometimes, people who have a mental disorder like depression or anxiety use drugs and alcohol to self-medicate. When these individuals start addiction treatment, they must also get help with their co-occurring disorder. If the mental disorder is not treated as well, they may end up relapsing after detox is done. After detox, many patients get help with co-occurring disorders at a rehab facility.
The answer to how long does drug detox take depends entirely on the unique individual. Detox can last for a few days or several weeks. To ensure a safe, effective detox, patients should go to a professional detox center. While detoxing from drugs is not always easy, it can be done. In the right environment, individuals can get the support, care and encouragement they need to live a healthy life. To find out more about detox options and how to get your life back on track, contact Serenity House Detox & Recovery at 866-294-5306. The time is now.
