Detoxing is an important step in the drug rehab process. In fact, it helps build a strong foundation on which people can build the rest of their rehab. When it comes to detox, however, people often don’t know what to expect. To lessen anxiety, it’s important for individuals to know what detox symptoms they should prepare for.
Common Detox Symptoms
Each drug causes its own detox symptoms. However, some symptoms are more common than others. Understanding these symptoms can prepare people for the rest of their recovery ahead.
Disrupted Sleep and Fatigue
When people experience withdrawal symptoms during detox, it’s because the body feels like it’s missing something that it needs. When the body lacks something, it often results in feeling sluggish and fatigued. To make matters worse, it’s hard to get restful sleep while detoxing.
Thankfully, this stage of detox doesn’t last forever. The best way to fight these symptoms is to eat healthily and take naps when possible. Visiting a detox center makes this process easier because the staff provides nutritious meals to keep up your strength.
Another way to fight fatigue is to create an exercise routine and stick to it. Exercising the first few days is difficult because of the lack of energy. However, eventually it becomes easier and lessens fatigue.
Headaches
A dull but continuous headache is very common during detox. In most cases, headaches get worse during the evening and night but are present most of the day. Once again, eating right and drinking plenty of water can reduce these effects.
Intense Cravings
When the body lacks something that it thinks it needs, it craves that something. During detox, the body craves the drugs that the person no longer uses. These cravings are the most intense during the first 24 to 48 hours. Over the next few days, they subside.
Keep in mind that cravings don’t always go away within a few days. Sometimes they can continue for weeks or even months. Thankfully, they generally aren’t as strong as the first few days of detox.
Let Us Help You Detox the Right Way
At Crestview Recovery, we know a thing or two about going through drug or alcohol detox the right way. We work with a local detox partner to recommend detox programs that our clients can count on. After detox, you’ll begin rehab that may include:
- Men’s addiction treatment program
- Women’s addiction treatment program
- Outpatient treatment
- Inpatient treatment
- Extended care
Don’t attempt to detox at home. Make sure that you detox safely instead. Reach out to us today at 866.262.0531 for answers to any of your questions.
Since 2016, Dr. Merle Williamson, a graduate of Oregon Health Sciences University, has been the Medical Director at Crestview Recovery, bringing a rich background in addiction medicine from his time at Hazelden Treatment Center. He oversees outpatient drug and alcohol treatments, providing medical care, setting policies, detox protocols, and quality assurance measures. Before specializing in addiction medicine, he spent 25 years in anesthesiology, serving as Chair of Hospital Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee and Chief of Anesthesia at Kaiser Permanente. This experience gives him a unique perspective on treating prescription drug addiction.
