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When a woman makes the courageous step towards recovery, oftentimes the first step is detox from drugs and alcohol. The detox experience varies from person to person. Each identified patient is likely to experience an array of different feelings and physical symptoms when struggling with addiction. These feelings can contrast depending on type, length, and severity of use. Side effects of chemical use can change intermittently. Detox is actually a two-fold process that includes both mental and physical relief. It is one of the first actions that must be taken for effective recovery to take place.
Upon beginning drug detoxification, patients are tested to see which drugs are in their bloodstream. They should also be evaluated for dual diagnosis, co-occurring disorders, or mental issues. Detoxification can be done with or without medications, and it is up to the medical professional to decide the best course of action. Drug detoxification does not heal the psychological aspects of drug addiction, but only the physical dependency.
Alcohol Detox
Alcohol detox can produce mild to severe symptoms. It is mostly dependent on the time and length of use. Side effects in this type of detox can include shaking, sleep hyperhidrosis and nausea. More serious cases include hallucinations, convulsions, seizures and death. The duration of alcohol detox usually lasts 3 to 5 days but can be longer.
Heroin/ Cocaine Detox
Heroin and cocaine detox is known to be unpleasant. Unfortunately, mental and physical withdrawal can occur within a few hours of the patient’s last usage. Typical heroin and cocaine detox averages about 4 days in length. During detox one may experience flu-like symptoms, changes in body temperature, hot sweats, chills, insomnia, food aversion, diarrhea, and dehydration. In other cases, severe side effects include heart attack and fatality.
Prescription Medication Detox
Prescription medications are one of the most commonly used of all chemical substances. Children can get prescription drugs from their parent’s medicine cabinet or their friends at school. Quickly, prescription pill use is becoming an epidemic in Orange County, California, and the nation. In terms of detox, there are side effects to this process. Depending on the type of prescription medication that a person is eradicating from the body, symptoms can range from mild to severe. The following symptoms generally occur within 24 hours of last usage: cravings, insomnia, irritability, bodily discomfort, loss of appetite, tremors, sweating and vomiting.
The various psychological effects that can occur during detox can be painful depending on which prescription medication is being used. However, detox is necessary and the first step in lifelong recovery. The decision to detox can be one of the best decisions you will ever make. Remember, the detox side effects are only temporary. Recovery can be long-lasting, and completely change your life for the better. Once you have treated your addiction, you can begin to live a healthy and productive life.
New Directions for Women is a treatment facility located in Southern California that offers help to women, pregnant women, women with children and families who desire a similar result. Our caring admissions counselors are available 24/7 to take your call and answer any questions you may have on getting help with detox. Reach us by phone at 800-93-WOMEN. We can help. Stay in the loop with New Directions for Women by connecting with us on Twitter, Facebook, or LinkedIn.
