How Long Does Detox Take?
If you have been drinking or using drugs for many years, and finally make the life-changing decision to seek addiction treatment, you will need to complete detoxification before embarking on your rehabilitation program. Medically managed detox refers to the process of ridding your body and mind from all harmful chemicals, so you can start your recovery on the right foot. What can you expect during this process, and how long does detox take? Read on for our detailed detoxification explainer guide.
What Is Detox Like?
Abruptly quitting your substance of use can lead to a host of dangerous – and possibly deadly – withdrawal symptoms. If you’ve ever tried to stop drinking or using on your own, only to encounter issues such as anxiety, irritability, uncontrollable tremors, body aches and seizures, you may already be familiar with how unpleasant withdrawal can be. However, the goal of detoxification in a clinical setting is to make the process as safe and tolerable as possible.
How long does detox take? The length of your detox process will vary depending on factors such as how long you used drugs or alcohol; whether you developed a dependency on more than one substance; the presence of a dual diagnosis; and your age and gender.
At Beach House, our detox program includes 24/7 monitoring by our experienced team of medical professionals. As withdrawal symptoms occur, they will be able to provide you with specific medications, if necessary, to make you as comfortable as possible.
Why Therapy Should Immediately Follow Detox
Most addictive substances, such as alcohol and hydrocodone, only stay in the body for a few days. However, intense cravings for drugs and alcohol can persist long after you complete your detox program, which is why we will have you progress into 12-step recovery and other forms of addiction therapy as soon as you are medically stable enough to do so.
Successfully completing detox gets you clean, but it doesn’t mean you are “cured” of your addiction. Evidence-based addiction treatment gives you the best chance of achieving long-term sobriety because you will work with therapists – both individually and within a group setting – to address the root causes of your addiction and learn new, healthy coping mechanisms for managing cravings.
The Perils of PAWS: What Is Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome?
A phenomenon known as post-acute withdrawal syndrome, or PAWS, is another common pitfall in early recovery. You might think of PAWS as the second stage of your withdrawal process, since it often involves the return of many of the same symptoms that characterized your initial withdrawal process.
PAWS can vary in severity and duration from person to person, which is another example of why addiction recovery is not a one-size-fits-all process. Beach House’s compassionate therapists will work individually with you to help you get through PAWS symptoms and any other roadblocks you might encounter as you continue with your recovery process.
Even after your body is free of all physical traces of drugs and alcohol, it’s crucial to realize that long-term addiction rewires brain chemistry in such a way that it disrupts the production and transmission of chemicals such as serotonin in your body. The potential for PAWS is one of the many reasons a 35-day stay is the minimum length of time we recommend for addiction treatment at our Florida facility.
Recovering at Beach House
At Beach House, we have created an ideal environment for you to seek freedom from drug and alcohol addiction. If you also have a co-occurring mental health condition such as depression or PTSD, our counselors can address that at the same time using a combination of medication and behavioral therapy. We have an industry-leading 7-to-1 client-to-counselor ratio, and our compassionate culture facilitates your recovery.
Beach House is a healing retreat in the quiet community of Juno Beach, located in beautiful, sunny Florida. Our five-acre beachfront campus features state-of-the-art amenities, comfortably furnished residences, luxury spa services and the unmatched magnificence of the Atlantic Ocean. Contact our admissions team today to learn more.