When we ingest drugs or alcohol, we put toxins in our bodies that need to be filtered out. The liver does an excellent job of filtering out the toxins to keep us healthy. However, it can’t keep up when there is a continuous supply. A drug and alcohol detox program can assist with the detox process and allow you to begin working on your addiction recovery. Addiction has such a high relapse rate because people try to detox without the support of a detox program. These same people will often fail when their withdrawal symptoms become too painful.
At Arkview Recovery Center, we can help patients through the detox process and addiction recovery through our treatment programs. Moreover, we can give you the medical and therapeutic support you need to get you through your withdrawal symptoms and form healthy coping skills to maintain your sobriety.
To help you or a loved one begin the detox process, call 717.744.0756 today to learn more about our drug and alcohol detox center.
Why Is Detoxing Important for Your Addiction Recovery?
Drug and alcohol addiction is very hard on the body and mind. The euphoria you feel from drugs and alcohol cannot be reproduced naturally, and when you begin regular abuse, you begin changing your brain chemistry. The natural production of dopamine and other vital chemicals stops and creates a dependence on the substance of choice. Without these chemicals, your body will struggle with basic functions like motor control and cognitive ability.
Withdrawal symptoms can begin in less than an hour with some drugs like heroin and other opioids like fentanyl. These drugs can create a powerful addiction with severe withdrawal symptoms when you abstain. Body detoxing symptoms may include:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Sweating
- Runny nose
- Increased heart rate
- Constipation and cramping
- Sexual dysfunction
- Headaches
- Muscle and bone pain
Other psychological symptoms of withdrawal include:
- Depression
- Paranoia
- Irritability
- Anxiety
- Intense cravings
- Suicidal thoughts
Patients can experience intense mood swings that range from intense sadness to violent outbreaks. To get through the detox process safely, Arkview Recovery can get you the help you need at our drug and alcohol detox center in Mechanicsburg, PA.
What Is the Detox Process?
How long does it take to completely detox? The average detox process takes 7-14 days, depending on the substance of abuse, amounts taken, and severity of the addiction. For more severe withdrawal symptoms, patients are given FDA-approved drugs to assist with the detox process. Your addiction treatment will depend on your unique symptoms, physical and mental health.
People can expect the following while detoxing from alcohol and drugs:
- Day 1-3 – Withdrawal symptoms will begin to appear within 1-8 hours since they last drank or smoked. Symptoms will begin to increase over time as the body demands more of the substance it has formed a dependence on.
- Day 3-8 – Withdrawal symptoms will peak during this time. Patients with severe addiction will experience painful withdrawal symptoms. They then need medication to help reduce their symptoms and allow them to continue with the detox process. Patients who detox alone will typically relapse during this time.
- Day 8-14 – Withdrawal symptoms will begin to diminish as your body remembers how to function without drugs or alcohol. As your symptoms decline, so will the need for medication. The goal of any pharmacotherapy program is for you to be 100% drug-free.
Each person’s journey through the detox process is different. Those with permanent brain damage from long-term drug abuse will need continued medical and emotional support.
Choose Arkview Recovery Center for Detox Process and Continuing Addiction Recovery
At Arkview Recovery, we offer help for people who need help detoxing from drug or alcohol addiction. Our drug and alcohol detox center offer multiple addiction treatment programs to help with every stage of your addiction recovery:
- Detox
- Men’s and women’s rehab program
- Pharmacotherapy
- Dual diagnosis treatment
If you or a loved one is ready to commit to genuine, long-lasting recovery, contact Arkview Recovery at 717.744.0756 today to begin the detox process and the journey to lifelong sobriety.
Kyle is Lead Therapist at Arkview Recovery Center. He holds a Master of Social Work degree from Temple University and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. He has years of experience working directly with individuals who suffer from addiction and mental health disorders. Being in long term recovery himself, Kyle is very passionate about the recovery process. He is heavily involved in the local recovery community in which he enjoys his commitments to service and giving back. His specialty is in group therapy and developing clinical staff. Kyle brings to Arkview a holistic approach to recovery, specializing in mindfulness, reality therapy, and solution-focused therapy.
