{"id":2484,"date":"2023-07-20T10:45:29","date_gmt":"2023-07-20T10:45:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/?page_id=2484"},"modified":"2025-02-07T11:55:34","modified_gmt":"2025-02-07T11:55:34","slug":"what-is-drug-detox","status":"publish","type":"blog","link":"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/admissions\/what-is-drug-detox\/","title":{"rendered":"What to Expect in Drug Detox &amp; Rehab"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-large-font-size eplus-wrapper wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Drug detox is the first step in stopping a substance and getting on the path to a substance-free life.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"eplus-wrapper wp-block-paragraph\">If you struggle with a substance and are looking to quit, the first step on your path to recovery is drug detox. Substance abuse is not uncommon, particularly during the COVID19 era, when<a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/mmwr\/volumes\/69\/wr\/mm6932a1.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">&nbsp;13.3%<\/a>&nbsp;of Americans have started or increased substance use in order to cope with stress. Although some people may be reluctant to seek treatment due to COVID19 concerns, drug detox is a crucial step in successfully overcoming substance abuse and avoiding deadly complications like overdose.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\" wp-block-heading eplus-wrapper\">What is Drug Detox?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"eplus-wrapper wp-block-paragraph\">When you become physically dependent on a substance, your body begins to expect its presence. The neurons and neurotransmitters in your brain adapt to the presence of the substance, as well. For this reason, if you suddenly stop taking it or try to quit the substance cold-turkey, your brain becomes chemically unbalanced. This leads to withdrawal symptoms, which may be uncomfortable or dangerous in some cases. Further, poorly managed withdrawal symptoms make it much<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC3674771\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">&nbsp;less likely<\/a>&nbsp;that you will be able to remain off the substance over the long-term.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"eplus-wrapper wp-block-paragraph\">Drug detox is the process by which you come off a substance. It is always best \u2013 and safest \u2013 to seek medical advice before trying to stop a substance. Depending on the substance, how often you take it, and how physically dependent you are, your doctor may recommend that you detox at home or that you enroll in a medically supervised detox program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\" wp-block-heading eplus-wrapper\">Drugs that Are Dangerous to Detox from Alone<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"eplus-wrapper wp-block-paragraph\">Although many drugs \u2013 even prescription drugs \u2013 can cause withdrawal symptoms if you stop them abruptly, some drugs are more uncomfortable or dangerous than others when it comes to trying to go through detox alone.&nbsp;<em><strong>These can<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/books\/NBK310652\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">&nbsp;include<\/a>:<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\" wp-block-list eplus-wrapper\">\n<li class=\" eplus-wrapper\">Opioid withdrawal, including both prescription opioids as well as street drugs like heroin. Although opioid withdrawal is not fatal, it i<a href=\"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/drugs\/opioids\/withdrawal-detox\/\">s highly uncomfortable<\/a>&nbsp;and can feel like a bad flu<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\" eplus-wrapper\">Benzodiazepine withdrawal, which may lead to seizures in some cases<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\" eplus-wrapper\">Alcohol withdrawal, which&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/alcohol\/withdrawal-detox\/\">can lead to seizures<\/a>&nbsp;or a serious condition called delirium tremens<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\" eplus-wrapper\">Stimulant withdrawal, which can involve mental status changes including psychosis<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"eplus-wrapper wp-block-paragraph\">For these substances, a medically supervised detox program is often the safest way to come off the agent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\" wp-block-heading eplus-wrapper\">Ways to Detox from Drugs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"eplus-wrapper wp-block-paragraph\">You have several different options when it comes to stopping a substance and undergoing detox. These include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\" wp-block-list eplus-wrapper\">\n<li class=\" eplus-wrapper\"><strong>Cold turkey:<\/strong>&nbsp;Stopping a substance abruptly is the most likely to lead to withdrawal symptoms. Quitting cold turkey may also be dangerous, as is the case with stopping heavy alcohol use<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\" eplus-wrapper\"><strong>Home detox:<\/strong>&nbsp;Your doctor may advise you to use strategies you can self-manage at home when coming off a substance. These include tapering a drug, or slowly decreasing the dose to wean yourself off the agent without withdrawal symptoms.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\" eplus-wrapper\"><strong>Medical detox:<\/strong>&nbsp;In medical detox, you are admitted to a facility where you&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/treatment\/medical-detox\/\">receive round-the-clock medical care<\/a>&nbsp;to manage and address any withdrawal symptoms that arise, so that you can come off a substance in the most comfortable and well-managed way possible.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\" wp-block-heading eplus-wrapper\">What to Expect When Detoxing from Drugs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"eplus-wrapper wp-block-paragraph\">During a drug detox, some issues are common regardless of the drug you are quitting.&nbsp;<em>These include:<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\" wp-block-list eplus-wrapper\">\n<li class=\" eplus-wrapper\"><strong>Withdrawal symptoms:<\/strong>&nbsp;Withdrawal symptoms vary based on the substance you are stopping. Further, symptoms may be mild or severe depending on your degree of physical dependence on a substance.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\" eplus-wrapper\"><strong>Physical symptoms:<\/strong>&nbsp;Many withdrawal symptoms are physical in nature, such as muscle cramps and nausea, and may occur throughout your whole body.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\" eplus-wrapper\"><strong>Psychological symptoms:<\/strong>&nbsp;Some withdrawal symptoms are psychological in nature. This does not make the symptoms any less unpleasant or any less real. Agitation, confusion, and mental status changes can develop as your brain tries to adapt to being without the substance upon which it has come to rely.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\" eplus-wrapper\"><strong>Cravings:<\/strong>&nbsp;When your body wants a substance that it is being denied, cravings are common.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"eplus-wrapper wp-block-paragraph\">The length of time that these symptoms last can vary dramatically based on the substance and the extent of your dependence on them. Withdrawal symptoms for some substances last only a few days, while others, like benzodiazepines, can have a protracted withdrawal syndrome that lasts for<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/books\/NBK310652\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">&nbsp;weeks<\/a>&nbsp;or longer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\" wp-block-heading eplus-wrapper\">Benefits of a Drug Rehab Program<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"eplus-wrapper wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>A medically assisted detox program has several benefits over attempting to detox on your ow<\/strong>n:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\" wp-block-list eplus-wrapper\">\n<li class=\" eplus-wrapper\"><strong>Monitoring:<\/strong>&nbsp;In a medical detox program, you have constant medical monitoring to ensure that&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/treatment\/medical-detox\/\">the detox is progressing as planned<\/a>. Further, any withdrawal symptoms you experience can be treated quickly with medications if necessary. Overall, this leads to a safer and more comfortable detox.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\" eplus-wrapper\"><strong>Transition into rehab:<\/strong>&nbsp;Detox is only the first step in sobriety. After a substance is removed from your system, rehab begins to help you develop skills and insights to avoid future substance abuse. A medical detox program can seamlessly transition you&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/treatment\/inpatient-rehab\/\">from detox into a rehab program<\/a>, readying you for the healing and hard work of rehab as your detox progresses.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\" eplus-wrapper\"><strong>Nutritional support:<\/strong>&nbsp;Nutrition is an important part of detox, especially since substance abuse can lead to nutritional deficiencies. Without proper nutrition, detox can<a href=\"https:\/\/store.samhsa.gov\/sites\/default\/files\/d7\/priv\/sma15-4131.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">&nbsp;take longer and be more difficult<\/a>&nbsp;than it needs to be. A medical detox facility will be able to provide you with the necessary nutrition to help your body heal and overcome your substance abuse.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\" eplus-wrapper\"><strong>Emotional support:<\/strong>&nbsp;Detox can be emotionally exhausting. The therapists and mental health professionals that are available during medical detox can help you stay emotionally strong to complete detox.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\" wp-block-heading eplus-wrapper\">Medication Used During Detox<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"eplus-wrapper wp-block-paragraph\">A variety of medications can be prescribed during a medical detox to help you cope with withdrawal symptoms, although specific medications will vary.&nbsp;<strong>Medications can<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/books\/NBK310652\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">&nbsp;include<\/a>&nbsp;therapies to help you:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\" wp-block-list eplus-wrapper\">\n<li class=\" eplus-wrapper\">Avoid cravings<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\" eplus-wrapper\">Sleep<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\" eplus-wrapper\">Become calm<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\" eplus-wrapper\">Overcome gastrointestinal symptoms like nausea, vomiting and diarrhea<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\" eplus-wrapper\">Relieve pain<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"eplus-wrapper wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Related:&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/treatment\/medication-assisted-treatment\/\">Types Medications Used in Medication-Assisted Treatment<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\" wp-block-heading eplus-wrapper\">Are Drug Detox Facilities Safe During COVID-19?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"eplus-wrapper wp-block-paragraph\">Drug detox facilities take the COVID-19 threat seriously. Although specific rules may vary based on the state, facilities minimize the risk of COVID-19 transmission by:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\" wp-block-list eplus-wrapper\">\n<li class=\" eplus-wrapper\">Testing patients and staff members for COVID-19<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\" eplus-wrapper\">Ensuring access to adequate personal protective equipment<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\" eplus-wrapper\">Maintaining social distance and small groups<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\" eplus-wrapper\">Following strict cleaning protocols<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"eplus-wrapper wp-block-paragraph\">When you are struggling with a substance, it is important to weigh the risks of continued substance abuse against the risk of COVID-19. For example, without treatment, substance abuse carries serious risks including overdose that may exceed the risks of COVID-19. Working with a treatment facility that follows COVID-19 safety protocols can, therefore, help both avoid COVID-19 as well as well as complications from substance abuse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"eplus-wrapper wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Related:&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/locations\/south-florida-inpatient\/\">Learn more about our COVID-19 precautions.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\" wp-block-heading eplus-wrapper\">What Happens After Drug Detox<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"eplus-wrapper wp-block-paragraph\">Detox is the first step in sobriety, but is by no means the only step. After your body has been cleansed of the substance in detox, the hard work of rehab begins. In rehab, you learn to address and explore the habits that led to substance abuse in the first place, and learn coping skills about how to avoid substance use in the future. A variety of rehab treatment programs exist, and can be on-site or outpatient. Further, rehab programs can be focused on your specific needs. For example, teen-focused rehab exists as a supportive tool for teams, and dual diagnosis programs exist to help address not only substance abuse but also any underlying mental health issues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\" wp-block-heading eplus-wrapper\">Florida Drug Detox and Rehabilitation Facilities<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"eplus-wrapper wp-block-paragraph\">The Recovery Village at Baptist Health\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/locations\/miami\/\">offers a state of the art medical detox<\/a>\u00a0and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/resources\/drug-rehabilitation-process\/\">drug rehab<\/a> facility. Our staff are experts in substance abuse and recovery.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/contact-us\/\">Don\u2019t wait, call us today<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\" wp-block-heading eplus-wrapper\">FAQs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\" wp-block-heading eplus-wrapper\">What is drug and alcohol detox?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"eplus-wrapper wp-block-paragraph\">In drug and alcohol detox, you wean your body off drugs or alcohol in a medically&nbsp;supervised setting. This helps you to avoid withdrawal symptoms which may&nbsp;otherwise put you at risk of relapse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\" wp-block-heading eplus-wrapper\">What drugs can kill you from detox?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"eplus-wrapper wp-block-paragraph\">Although most drugs simply make you highly uncomfortable during detox, some&nbsp;substances can be more dangerous, making medically supervised detox the&nbsp;safest choice. For example, detoxing from heavy alcohol dependence can be&nbsp;dangerous as it can lead to potentially fatal condition called delirium tremens.&nbsp;Undergoing a medically supervised detox is significantly safer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\" wp-block-heading eplus-wrapper\">What drugs are given during medical detox?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"eplus-wrapper wp-block-paragraph\">A variety of drugs can be given during medical detox. Generally, any medications&nbsp;are tailored to treat the symptoms you may be experiencing, such as insomnia,&nbsp;agitation or nausea. The specific drugs that are used will vary based on the&nbsp;medical detox facility that you choose.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\" wp-block-heading eplus-wrapper\">What is the fastest way to detox your body from drugs?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"eplus-wrapper wp-block-paragraph\">Unfortunately, there is no quick way to detox from a drug. Your body and brain&nbsp;need to process and remove the drug from your system, and the time that this&nbsp;takes will depend on the drug, how much you take, and your overall health and&nbsp;physiology. However, the best way to ensure that you remain sober after detox is&nbsp;by participating in a rehab program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\" wp-block-heading eplus-wrapper\">Where are drug rehabs near me?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"eplus-wrapper wp-block-paragraph\">Many medical detox facilities and drug rehab facilities exist across the country.&nbsp;Your health insurance company as well as your state health department can help&nbsp;to advise you of local options. In Florida, The Recovery Village at Baptist Health&nbsp;serves the Lake Worth, Miami and Atlantis areas.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Drug detox is the first step in stopping a substance and getting on the path to a substance-free life. If you struggle with a substance and are looking to quit, the first step on your path to recovery is drug detox. Substance abuse is not uncommon, particularly during the COVID19 era, when&nbsp;13.3%&nbsp;of Americans have started [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false},"categories":[65],"tags":[57],"class_list":["post-2484","blog","type-blog","status-publish","hentry","category-treatment","tag-rehab"],"acf":{"written_by":"","enable_medically_and_up":"","medically_reviewed_by":null,"medically_reviewed_content":"This article was reviewed by a medical professional to guarantee the delivery of accurate and up-to- date information. <a href=\"\/research\/\">View our research policy.<\/a>","up_to_date":"The Editorial Team at The Recovery Village Palm Beach at Baptist Health fact-checks, reviews, edits and continuously updates content we publish on this website.","page_first_published_date":null,"page_last_edit_date":null,"highlighted_description":"If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction, help is available. Speak with a Recovery Advocate by calling <a href=\"tel:8886480738\" ><b>888-648-0738<\/b><\/a> now.","key_takeaways":"","source":{"source_label":"View Sources","source_content":"<div class=\"accordion-item-container\">\r\n\r\nCzeisler, Mark \u00c9.; Lane, Rashon I.; Petrosky, Emiko; et al. \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/mmwr\/volumes\/69\/wr\/mm6932a1.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Mental Health, Substance Use, and Suicidal Ideation During the COVID-19 Pandemic \u2014 United States, June 24\u201330, 2020<\/a>.\u201d Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, August 14, 2020. Retrieved December 8, 2020.\r\n\r\nSinha, Rajita. \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC3674771\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">New Findings on Biological Factors Predicting Addiction Relapse Vulnerability<\/a>.\u201d Current Psychiatry Reports, October 2011. Accessed December 8, 2020.\r\n\r\nWorld Health Organization. \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/books\/NBK310652\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Clinical Guidelines for Withdrawal Management and Treatment of Drug Dependence in Closed Settings<\/a>.\u201d 2009. Accessed December 8, 2020.\r\n\r\nSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/store.samhsa.gov\/sites\/default\/files\/d7\/priv\/sma15-4131.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Detoxification and Substance Abuse Treatment: A treatment improvement protocol<\/a>.\u201d 2015. Accessed December 8, 2020.\r\n\r\n<\/div>"},"staff_member_heading":"","staff_member":null,"insurance_label":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/blog\/2484","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/blog"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/blog"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2484"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/blog\/2484\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2484"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2484"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2484"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}