What Is a Detox?
Detox or the process of detoxification is when you begin to rid the body of substances like drugs or alcohol that have become an addictive substance. It is a key tool in addiction recovery!
This is often the first step in the process of addiction recovery and is vital to helping an addict make changes to their lives in a positive way. It is a medical process, sometimes referred to as ‘medically-managed withdrawal’ that aids clients in safely managing their withdrawal symptoms that could otherwise be acute or potentially dangerous. Its aim is to help clients find mental and physical stability once substances have left their system.
Side Effects of Detoxing/Detoxification
Detoxification can lead to a range of withdrawal symptoms for individuals, ranging from emotional withdrawal to physical withdrawal symptoms and even those that could be dangerous without support. Every client will experience detoxification in an individual way, with many of the side effects being general whilst some are dependent upon the substance addiction.
Common Emotional Withdrawal Symptoms
These are common whether you have physical side effects or not. Emotional withdrawal can include:
- Restlessness
- Insomnia
- Depression
- Poor Concentration
- Headaches
- Irritability
- Anxiety
- Social Isolation
Many clients may experience anxiety during their detoxification if nothing else. This is common when removing an addictive substance, but our team at New Leaf Recovery are on hand 24/7 to support you through the detoxification process.
Common Physical Withdrawal Symptoms
Much like emotional withdrawal, physical withdrawal is dependent upon a number of factors, such as the addictive substance and the individual. Some of the more common physical withdrawal symptoms in detoxification can include:
- Racing Heart
- Difficulty Breathing
- Sweating
- Tremors
- Muscle Tension
- Palpitations
- Tightness of the Chest
- Nausea or Vomiting
Physical withdrawal symptoms can also sometimes become dangerous if not medically monitored correctly. When suddenly stopping certain substances like alcohol or tranquillizers, could lead to seizures, strokes or heart attacks that may be fatal.
It is vital to undergo the process of detoxification under medical supervision. Doing it at home can lead to serious medical conditions like seizures, severe dehydration, comas or even death! At New Leaf Recovery, we offer 24/7, medically monitored detoxification to ensure that every client remains safe during this process.
If you need medical detoxification, contact New Leaf Recovery today.
How Long Does a Detox Take?
The entire process of detoxing your body has no set timeframe. Depending upon a number of different factors, detoxification can take one week, it can take two or it can take more. The factors taken into account include:
- The type of substance
- The duration of the addiction
- The method of use during addiction
- Amount of the substance taken
- Clients’ family history
- Any underlying medical conditions
Usually, any symptoms of detoxification will manifest within the first 6-24 hours and can be at the most intense severity between 24 and 72 hours after last substance use. These factors are why it is vital to seek medical help.
At New Leaf Recovery, we work with qualified medical professionals to ensure that every client undergoing detoxification does so safely. Our team are on hand 24/7 to offer support during this time too. If you or a loved one needs help with their addiction recovery and detoxification, reach out to New Leaf Recovery in Birmingham today.
Recovery Post Detoxification
It is key to remember that detoxification doesn’t mean the end of your recovery journey. Following the detox process, seeking additional rehabilitation support is key to helping overcome urges, and find the root cause of struggles.
At New Leaf Recovery, we offer a rehabilitation programme that is tailored to support each client. Whether looking to stay for 7 days, 10-14 days, 21 days or 28 days, we have the right option for you. We also offer flexibility in lengths of stay to ensure that we can cater to every individual client.
During rehabilitation, each client will participate in a range of therapies that are designed to help them find new ways of expressing their emotions, whilst also working with our counsellors to work through other possible concerns that may have led to addiction.
You can discover more about our therapies online, as well as exploring more about the 12 Steps Programme. Every client is started on this Programme whilst with us, taking it with them into their daily lives post-rehab. It is designed to help clients overcome their struggles and work through changes in their lives, leading to a brighter future.
New Leaf Recovery Offer Detox Treatments!
At New Leaf, we offer a bespoke detoxification programme to every client, dependent on their needs. We aim to start the process of admission to ensure every client gets the most out of their recovery journey.
All detox programmes are then followed by our rehabilitation programmes to guide every client through their needs, and their addiction issues and to help them through every stage of recovery.
If you feel you need support in your detoxification and recovery or would like to support a loved one, contact New Leaf Recovery Project today to find out more about our rehabilitation and detoxification programmes.