Detox is a crucial step in the rehabilitation process, but it can be intimidating for some. One of the biggest concerns is not knowing how much time to allocate to the detox process.
In most cases, it’s best to research and discuss options and expectations ahead of time. So let’s go over some highlights and explanations for what exactly detox is and all the variables that affect the recovery timetable.
What is Detox?
Alcohol and drug addiction create a physical dependency that many users struggle with overcoming in the early stages of rehabilitation. That’s where detox comes in. Ingestion of addictive substances is gradually reduced, which removes or limits the severity of withdrawal symptoms under professional guidance. Detox is not exclusive to addiction treatment but is generally a necessary step in the rehabilitation process.
Additionally, some individuals may opt for self-guided detox as opposed to medically supervised detox programs. This process can be dangerous and even life-threatening to go through alone. It is highly advised that an individual working towards sobriety seek professional treatment.
Factors
There are many factors to consider when determining how long a detox program will last. Chiefly, it all hinges on the specific substance or substances that the individual is addicted to. Alcohol and marijuana both carry the potential of a short detox period, but the severity of the addiction could affect these estimates. Opioids, heroin, and other stimulants like cocaine and meth predict longer detox sessions because of the severity of addiction these substances pose.
Additionally, it’s important to disclose any health conditions at the start of detox as these factors may affect the length of the process. Some individuals are recommended to undergo a full physical examination to determine their viability for detox. Addiction can leave a person’s body in a weakened state which may make the trial of detox especially difficult.
General Timelines
Alcohol detox typically lasts about a week depending once again on the severity of the addiction and the health of the individual. Likewise, marijuana detox is about two weeks. Heroin, opiates, and most stimulants take roughly seven days to detox but timelines could be longer considering how highly addictive these substances tend to be. Benzodiazepines have the potential for the longest detox timeframe at a few days to several months. This is dependent upon whether or not the substances are long-acting.
Article source: www.briarwooddetox.com
