Detoxification is the first and most crucial step in overcoming a substance use disorder (SUD), but it’s also a step into the unknown. Understanding withdrawal symptoms and detoxification will help you or a loved one prepare for what’s to come—and likely remove some of the fear that may prevent some people from starting the process.

The withdrawal symptoms that accompany detoxification can be challenging, but a dedicated and skilled team of recovery professionals can help you cleanse your body of the toxins introduced by alcohol and drugs with minimal discomfort. If you or a loved one is struggling with a substance use disorder, Immersion Recovery Center in Delray Beach, FL, can help. Beginning with detoxification, we offer a comprehensive, holistic approach to recovery in a comfortable, modern facility. 

Our team of skilled medical and behavioral health clinicians will design a program that fits your personal needs. As you transition from detox to residential treatment, Immersion Recovery Center offers individual, family, and group therapy via multiple levels of care, including inpatient and outpatient programs. Contact us today to learn more about addiction therapy and dual diagnosis treatment in South Florida.

What is Detoxification?

According to the American Psychological Association, detoxification—most commonly known as detox—is the therapeutic process of ridding the body of toxic substances such as alcohol and illicit drugs.(1) Detoxification is often completed in a clinic, hospital unit, or residential rehabilitation center skilled in treating individuals with substance use disorders (SUDs) and managing withdrawal symptoms.

What Are the Goals of Detoxification?

The purpose of detoxification is to rid your body of the toxic effects of substance use and help you become medically stable to prepare you for the journey of recovery. If you have been dependent upon drugs or alcohol for any period of time, you will most likely experience withdrawal symptoms when you stop using them abruptly. Withdrawal is not only uncomfortable; it can cause significant health risks, particularly with some substances, making medical monitoring essential to safe detoxification. In effect, detox ensures patients are safe and as comfortable as possible during withdrawal.

Common Withdrawal Symptoms

Withdrawal symptoms vary by substance, but almost everyone who detoxes experiences cravings and anxiety.

Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome

The intensity of alcohol withdrawal symptoms vary among individuals and can include:(2) 

• Headaches
• Rapid heartbeat
• Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
• Loss of appetite
• Insomnia and other sleep-related issues
• Profuse sweating/night sweats
• Seizures
• Disorientation and confusion
• Hallucinations 
• Anxiety
• Delirium tremens 

Because withdrawal symptoms can be both physical and psychological, and because more severe withdrawal symptoms can be lethal when left untreated, entering into a professional medical detox program is the safest, most effective way to detox from alcohol.

Opioid Withdrawal Symptoms

Opioid withdrawal can begin within a few hours of taking a final dose. Acute symptoms last up to 14 days, while additional symptoms can continue for several weeks.(3)

Acute symptoms include:(3)

• Muscle and joint aches and pains
• Nausea
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Hot and cold flashes
• Goosebumps
• Runny nose and watery eyes

Longer-last symptoms include:(3)

• Cravings
• Trouble sleeping
• Anxiety
• Depression

Benzodiazepine Withdrawal Symptoms

Benzodiazepines are central nervous symptom depressants that come in short-acting and long-acting formulas. Withdrawal from short-acting benzodiazepines begins between one and two days after the last dose is taken and continues for two to four weeks or longer. Symptoms for the long-acting version start between two and seven days after the last dose and persist for two to eight weeks or longer.

These symptoms can vary in severity and may include:(4)

• Anxiety and panic attacks
• Restlessness and insomnia
• Irritability and agitation
• Poor concentration and memory
• Muscle tension and aches

What Factors Influence Withdrawal Severity?

If your body has become dependent on drugs or alcohol, you will likely experience some level of withdrawal once you stop using. The severity of your symptoms will vary depending on a host of factors, such as length, severity, and type of substance use as well as physical and emotional characteristics, and more. (5)

Detoxification Methods & Settings

There are generally three options for detoxification: outpatient treatment, inpatient treatment, and medically assisted treatment (which can be performed in inpatient and outpatient settings depending on the facility). While individuals with mild withdrawal symptoms may be managed by an outpatient program, the safest way to undergo withdrawal is usually at an accredited facility with skilled clinicians who can monitor your condition around the clock, provide support and education, and offer medically assisted therapies (MAT) if needed.(5) If you are receiving MAT, you will be prescribed medications to ease your symptoms and be evaluated for drug-drug interactions.

Medically Supervised Detox Programs

Our medically assisted detoxification program in South Florida offers a wide range of services geared toward making withdrawal as painless as possible. Our licensed doctors, nurses, therapists, and addiction counselors will be by your side during the entire process to ensure your needs are met. Contact us today to learn more.

Medications Used in Detoxification

Several medications are used for managing withdrawal symptoms during detoxification. What medication is right for you will primarily depend on the substance and your health.

Medications for Alcohol Withdrawal

Alcohol withdrawal is classified as either mild, moderate, or severe according to how the individual scores on the Alcohol Withdrawal Scale. However, each treatment protocol is tailored to the unique needs of each individual. That said, the following provides a general overview of typical detox protocols.

Those with mild withdrawal are often assigned a protocol of two to four liters of water daily, along with multivitamins. Individuals are also provided with B1 (thiamine) supplements to help prevent the cognitive impairment that often accompanies alcohol dependence. Within a detox facility, 24/7 support and monitoring are provided.

Individuals found to have moderate withdrawal may be prescribed a benzodiazepine such as diazepam (Valium) until their symptoms are under control, after which they’re switched to the mild withdrawal protocol. Benzodiazepines are proven to reduce withdrawal severity and the incidence of seizures and delirium tremens.

Those with severe alcohol withdrawal often receive higher doses of benzodiazepines than those with moderate withdrawal while simultaneously following the mild withdrawal protocol. Among other therapies, they may also receive intravenous fluid with potassium and magnesium salts if they become severely dehydrated.

Medications for Opioid Withdrawal

The symptoms of opioid withdrawal can be managed using one of several medications—clonidine, buprenorphine, methadone, or codeine phosphate. While each can make the process of withdrawal easier, they also have side effects of their own. Clonidine causes drowsiness, dizziness, and low blood pressure. Buprenorphine may not be appropriate for those with breathing problems, urethral obstructions, or diabetes.

Methadone is effective for individuals using longer-acting opioids such as morphine but must be used with caution if the individual has:

• Trouble breathing
• Acute alcohol dependence
• Head injury
• Treatment with monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)
• Ulcerating colitis or Crohn’s disease
• Severe hepatic impairment (cirrhosis of the liver)

Codeine phosphate may not be appropriate for individuals with trouble breathing or severe hepatic impairment. (4) 

Medications for Benzodiazepine Withdrawal

The safest way to approach benzodiazepine withdrawal is by gradually decreasing the amount of the drug a person takes until they are completely weaned off of the drug. This process requires close medical management and monitoring, and should not be attempted independent of medical supervision.

Psychological Support During Detoxification

Detoxification is not just a physical experience; it also affects emotional health. Many people who develop SUDs have co-occurring mental health issues and have turned to substance misuse to help dull those feelings. As the substances leave their bodies, their mental health disorder may come back in full force. Withdrawal itself can also lead to anxiety, depression, paranoia, and many other behavioral disorders.

Treating withdrawal effectively requires medical and psychological support to manage an individual’s condition appropriately and ensure the best possible outcomes. At Immersion Recovery Center, our physicians, nurses, and counselors provide the highest standard of clinical and medical care to provide every client with the support they need as they embark on their recovery journey.

Contact Us Today

Detoxification can be a challenging process, but it is the first and most vital step on your recovery journey. Withdrawal symptoms are part of the detoxification process but can be managed by skilled clinicians who can ensure you are safe and as comfortable as possible. 

If you or someone you love is struggling with a substance use disorder and need help getting on the road to recovery, Immersion Recovery Center in Delray Beach, FL, can help. Our holistic approach and expert medical and clinical care provide a strong foundation for your long-term recovery. Our caring recovery professionals have decades of combined experience to help you heal physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Treatment is individualized to meet your needs, including optional therapy, group support, and case management services. 

Contact us today for a free and confidential conversation. Staff can answer your questions, discuss treatment options, verify your insurance benefits, and more. Reach out now to take your first step toward long-term recovery.