Detoxification is often considered the first stage on the journey to overcoming addiction and finding sobriety. During detox, an individual stops taking all addictive substances, which sends their body into a process of withdrawal. The point of a detox is to clear the body of toxins so the individual can begin their journey toward recovery, even though this triggers unpleasant symptoms. The withdrawal symptoms with detoxification typically begin within 24 to 48 hours of the last dose the individual took of the addictive substance.
 
As withdrawal symptoms can cause much discomfort, detox specialists often prescribe medication to ease the physical and emotional symptoms of withdrawal and make detox less challenging to get through. Some symptoms that are common to experience during withdrawal and which prescription medication can help with include:
 
– Anxiety and depression, which can range from mild to severe with suicidal ideation
– Appetite loss
– Diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting, potentially leading to dehydration
– Delirium tremens (DTs), are a serious withdrawal symptom involving a cluster of symptoms, such as seizures
– Dysphoria, which is a mental state one experiences with a profound sense of dissatisfaction or unease
– Excessive sweating
– Fatigue and physical weakness
– Increased heart rate or irregular heartbeat
– Rapid breathing
– Shaking or tremors

Detoxing alone is rarely effective, as the withdrawal symptoms that occur test your resolve in ways you may not be prepared for. Medical detox, on the other hand, provides you with the support and resources you need to overcome those symptoms and eventually feel the clear light of sobriety. Here are some signs that you can benefit from medical detoxification:
 
– You experience significant changes in your mood when you stop using the substance
– You experience physical withdrawal symptoms when you stop using the substance
– You find that you need more of the substance to achieve the same high, also known as an increased tolerance for the substance
– You experience intense cravings for the substance when you’re not using it
– You haven’t had success when trying to quit, detox, or reduce your use in the past
– You want to quit but have other medical conditions that can complicate quitting without medical help

The detoxification process can take anywhere from a couple of days to several months, depending on several different factors, such as:
 
– The type of substance used
– How long you’ve used the substance
– The frequency and severity of use
– Your dependence upon the substance
 
The reason detox can take longer than a few days is that the cravings you experience for the substance can persist even after the substance has left your body since your body has come to rely on it for feelings of pleasure and well-being. On average, the medical detox process lasts between seven and ten days.

Detoxification of drugs involves a process of evaluation, stabilization, and a long-term treatment plan. During the evaluation phase, a detox specialist will gather important information about the patient to establish an appropriate treatment plan. This information may include the patient’s medical history, substance use history, frequency of use, mental illnesses they may deal with, and they’re general physical and physiological condition. Additionally, the detox specialist will measure the patient’s intoxication levels to estimate their withdrawal potential and prescribe medication to aid in the detox process.
 
After the evaluation, a treatment plan will be implemented that focuses on stabilizing the patient’s withdrawal symptoms. The stabilization process may involve administering medication to minimize withdrawal symptoms and implementing other therapies so the patient can detoxify safely. The detox specialist may also conduct blood tests, electrocardiograms (EKGs), and another testing to evaluate the patient’s condition and determine any necessary treatment adjustments.
 
Once the patient is stabilized, the detox specialist will guide the patient on the next steps in their rehabilitation, which may involve things like psychotherapy, support groups, and other rehab interventions.
 
If you’re considering seeing a detox specialist in Glendale, California, for help overcoming a substance use disorder, we’d love to help at Psychiatry Unplugged. We welcome you to call us or look through our website today for more information or to schedule an appointment with us. Our clinic is located at 121 W Lexington Dr #414, Suite A Glendale, CA 91203. We serve patients from Glendale CA, Hollywood CA, Burbank CA, Studio City, Pasadena CA, and Calabasas CA.