Drug detox can take different lengths of time. How long your detox will last depends on the type of drug, level of drug abuse and on the individual using. Usually drug detox will last anywhere from several days to two weeks. The individual can expect to experience withdrawals within the first couple of hours after abstaining from drugs and alcohol. Within a few days the physical symptoms of the drug withdrawal will end. Emotional symptoms from drug detox like cravings can last much longer than other symptoms and can be more difficult to deal with.
What are the side effects of detox?
People often put off drug rehab because of the unpleasant side effects associated with going to rehab. Poor health associated with drug abuse also makes the side effects of rehab more pronounced. All drugs have different side effects. Here are some of the most common:
Alcohol Detox
Side effects of alcohol detox can include headache, nausea, diarrhea, sweating , insomnia, and anxiety, among others. In extreme cases, alcohol detox can cause death. Sometimes drugs are used to lessen the effects of alcohol detox.
Marijuana Detox
Marijuana detox does have side effects. Often the side effects of marijuana withdrawal are emotional, not physical. Side effects of marijuana detox can range from depression, appetite loss, aggression, to paranoia.
Methamphetamine Detox
Side effects can include irritability, depression, anxiety, fatigue, or even extremely realistic dreams. Meth detox side effects can last from a few days to several months, depending on the severity of the addiction. Because meth stimulates the feel-good areas of the brain, meth detox can be very difficult to get through.
Cocaine Detox
Some sufferers of cocaine detox can experience depression, agitation, lethargy, increased appetite, and bad dreams. In severe cases, some clients going through cocaine withdrawal may have suicidal thoughts. Side effects of cocaine detox begin almost immediately after a person stops using cocaine. The emotional side effects of cocaine detox can last for several months.
Crack Detox
Side effects of crack cocaine detox are varied. There can be physical symptoms such as vomiting, nausea, the shakes, muscle pain, and fatigue. Psychological symptoms can range from anxiety and irritability to depression and drug craving. Side effects from crack detox can last months, due to the nature of crack use. Also, the physical toxins from crack use must be removed from the client’s system before true crack detox can begin to remove the emotional side effects.
Prescription Drugs Detox
Sometimes people become addicted to prescription drugs. Prescription drugs also can have side effects when a user goes through detox. Side effects of prescription drug detox are mainly physical. For example, a person may experience sore muscles and bones, trouble sleeping, diarrhea, and vomiting. In some cases, withdrawal symptoms of sedative detox can cause seizures. It is very important to speak to a doctor before detoxing from prescription drug use.
More Drug Detox Information
Detox from drugs is not something to be taken lightly. There are many drug detox options to consider. Sometimes, the side effects of drug and alcohol detox can cause severe reactions, up to and including death. For people with minor addictions, drug detox at home may be an option. However, most people benefit from an outpatient or inpatient treatment center and medical monitoring for detox. If drug detox is done at a drug and alcohol rehab center, there may be medication used to ease the client’s withdrawal symptoms. Other methods such as rapid detox may be used, but these are controversial. However the client chooses to go through drug detox, an appointment with a doctor is essential.
