For myself, I decided that I wanted to start detoxing at home, and the first few times, it was a failure. The withdrawal symptoms were terrible, and I felt like I was dying. I had become a 24-year habit of multiple types of drugs. The one drug that held on for a long time was methamphetamine. Finally, in October 2014, I decided this was the time and would fight for my life.

Coming down at home was the worse feeling. I can remember the pain I felt. I can remember yelling at my kids and treating them terribly. Some acute symptoms I experienced were fatigue, bad irritability, and lack of energy. I can remember just wanting to get up and feel normal. I now felt like death and wondered how long these effects would last. I went from an addict with no sleep to a hypersomnia person. I was oversleeping and lacking any hydration or food. Today, if I had to redo this walk, I would have checked myself into a facility to help with these acute symptoms.

I still have post-acute symptoms today, but I would not change my life for anything. Today, I struggle with depression, anxiety, and mood swings. I also look at myself and hate the weight I have gained, but on the other side of the weight gain, I am now a much healthier person. I am more beneficial for myself and my children.

Just know that if you are struggling, there is help, and you do not have to do detoxing as I did. Find you an inpatient facility and make the change. Recovery has a much more peaceful mindset.

If you or someone you know needs a drug detox facility or interested in detoxing, please visit www.Sober.com for all your addiction recovery resources.

Written by: Melissa Pena

Even things as relatively simple as over-the-counter drugs can be helpful, reducing pain and keeping many withdrawal symptoms at bay. It’s a good idea to discover more about the realities of detox and how professional facilities may use drugs to aid drug detox for their patients.

Understanding the Withdrawal Symptoms of a Drug Detox

Although specifics can vary significantly depending on the drugs used, the severity of the addiction and the history of the patient, a typical drug detox will last anywhere from one to two weeks. The first withdrawal symptoms typically appear around 12 hours in, and they tend to peak at around 72 hours. While those first few days may be the hardest to get through, this stage is vital to lasting sobriety.

Withdrawal symptoms can be physical and/or psychological in nature, and they are often very unpleasant for patients. Detox is essentially when the body relearns how to function without the substance it is addicted to, which means that there are major psychological and chemical changes taking place. As a result, it’s common to experience nausea, struggle with diarrhea or be extremely dehydrated. Other common withdrawal symptoms include depression, insomnia, changes in appetite and extreme temperature fluctuations.

Over-The-Counter Medications That Can Ease Detox Discomfort

One of the benefits of attending a professional, medically supervised detox program is having access to around-the-clock care and the option of prescription medications. In many cases, however, common withdrawal symptoms can be best treated with ordinary over-the-counter medications. These milder medicines can be just as effective as more extreme measures, and they are also less likely to cause health problems as the body goes through such a sensitive period of transition.

Loperamide is one of the most commonly used over-the-counter medications during a drug detox. Loperamide is the main ingredient in anti-diarrhea medicine, and it’s often used when patients are detoxing from opiates. Many patients are surprised to learn that Loperamide is actually a form of opiate, although it doesn’t deliver a high. Taking Loperamide during detox can prevent diarrhea, which can lead to dehydration, but it can also help prevent other withdrawal symptoms since the body believes it’s getting a small dose of opiates on a regular basis.

Ibuprofen is perhaps one of the most common over-the-counter medicines used among people in America, and it’s just as commonly used in drug detox facilities. Ibuprofen reduces inflammation, which relieves pain and discomfort. During a detox from drugs, inflammation is likely, and it can cause everything from severe headaches to muscle pain. Ibuprofen is a simple, but incredibly effective way of reducing these symptoms and easing discomfort for patients.

A drug detox can bring on withdrawal symptoms such as a constantly runny nose or itchy eyes. Antihistamines have few to no side effects, but they can go a long way in reducing these symptoms quickly and effectively. Surprisingly, antihistamines can also be helpful among patients who are having trouble sleeping, since they can also be used to treat insomnia or restlessness in the night.

Dehydration is a major problem during detox, and it’s often the cause of a lot of discomfort. Diarrhea, vomiting and sweating, along with a lack of appetite or thirst, can easily cause extreme dehydration in just a matter of hours. Thankfully, this can be remedied with something as simple as electrolyte solutions and beverages. Electrolyte replacement shakes, or even salt tablets, can restore balance and hydration in the body quickly.

Prescription Medications During a Drug Detox

The best type of a professional drug detox will combine over-the-counter and prescription medications to help patients. Often, it’s the milder, more common medications that work most effectively and have the lowest risks. However, one of the benefits of being medically supervised 24/7 is having access to stronger, more potent medications if and when it becomes necessary.

While an ordinary electrolyte replacement shake can be beneficial for many patients, sometimes this basic approach won’t work. In that case, an I.V. can be used to stave off extreme dehydration and worsening symptoms. Similarly, if a medicine like antihistamine won’t help insomnia in patients who are seriously lacking in sleep, then a stronger sedative could be prescribed on an as-needed basis.

Risks of Improperly Used Medications

Although over-the-counter medicines carry lower risks than most prescription medications, that doesn’t mean that patients should take them without consulting a medical professional first. Some seemingly harmless drugs are contraindicated with one another, and taking two simultaneously could actually worsen, rather than improve, withdrawal symptoms.

It’s also important to note that even ordinary medications can become addictive, and it’s vital to watch for this. Imodium, for instance, with its primary ingredient of Loperamide, contains opiates. While short-term use in moderate doses can be helpful, addiction is possible. The last thing that patients want is to leave detox free from one addiction but now struggling with another one.

The Advantages of a Professional Drug Detox

There are many advantages of attending a professional drug detox rather than going through withdrawal at home alone, but one of the most important is accountability. Even when detox is challenging, having people supporting and helping patients means that they are more likely to complete the program and achieve sobriety.

Keep in the mind this vitally important fact: in a professional detox, patients will get medical attention around the clock. They don’t have to add stress to the process of withdrawal by worrying about whether one medicine will worsen symptoms or cause health problems. Instead, they can relax and focus on recovery, trusting nurses and physicians to make the right decisions for their health and sobriety.

While detoxing from drugs can be difficult, something as simple as over-the-counter medications can help. In a professional detox setting, certain ordinary medications can be effective in treating withdrawal symptoms and making the process less painful for those patients committed to achieving sobriety.

Pharmacological Assistance During Withdrawal

During a detox, withdrawal symptoms can become severe, and in many cases the best way to handle the process is through medication. However, there are a few detox facilities that don’t offer pharmacological assistance to patients, instead requiring them to complete their withdrawal cold turkey.

For many drug detoxes, pharmacological assistance can be used to wean patients from their drug of choice. These synthetic drugs won’t replicate the highs, but they will convince the brain that a small dosage is being consumed. This means that withdrawal symptoms will be less pronounced, and patients can be weaned from the medications themselves. In a matter of one to two weeks, patients in a medical detox can be weaned from both drugs and synthetic medications, and their withdrawal symptoms will be far less uncomfortable (and far less dangerous) than a cold turkey detox on its own.

Admission Assessment Upon Arrival

One of the things that can separate a great detox facility from an inferior one is the existence of an admissions evaluation. This is a comprehensive look at incoming patients and their health. Some of the things that a physician or admissions medical professional might require could include a history of medical problems, any relevant family health history and information about drug use and dosage.

This admission evaluation is an integral part of a successful detox. No two patients are the same, and they can have varied health histories, mental health concerns and drug use habits. The initial evaluation can help determine what kind of treatment will be the most appropriate and how to help individuals overcome addiction in the most effective way.

Individualized Treatment Plans

Another hallmark of an excellent detox center is one that provides individualized treatment plans for patients. Although detox is a short program, lasting just one to two weeks, it isn’t a one-size-fits-all process. Some patients with severe addictions may require medication to wean themselves from their addictions, but others may only require mild sedatives to get through the worst of the withdrawal symptoms.

It’s also important that detox centers are flexible enough to change treatment plans as and when they are needed by patients. For instance, some patients may require more medication than initially expected, or they may need emergency assistance as a result of seizures or extreme confusion. Accredited, reputable detox centers will adjust their timelines and actions with patients, helping them to get up-to-the-minute assistance rather than just actions from a set, inflexible plan.

Recovery Plans That Go Beyond Detox

Detox is the first step of recovering from a drug or alcohol addiction, but the best detox centers will understand that recovery doesn’t end after a one- or two-week program. When choosing a detox center, prospective patients and their loved ones should look ahead at what future treatment will be available. Some detox centers do an excellent job of combining detox and rehab in one facility, allowing patients to have a seamless transition from one to the next on the same campus.

Detox centers can also offer patients a comprehensive recovery plan with information on how to move to the next step on the journey to recovery. This will typically include rehabilitation of some kind, whether that’s inpatient or outpatient, but it may also consist of sober living or sober companionship.

Accepts Major Health Insurance Plans

Choosing a detox center should always revolve around the quality, reputation and treatments available at a facility, but there’s no denying the financial factor. A large portion of those patients who decide to attend detox for a drug or alcohol addiction will have either health insurance or Medicaid, so it’s necessary that their center of choice accepts health insurance from multiple major providers.

Detox centers that readily accept major health insurance plans from many providers are more than just financially within reach. A strong working relationship with health insurance companies is also a sign that the center in question is reputable and has accreditation from major governing bodies, which is a good thing for any prospective patients.

Attractive and Inviting Facilities

It’s easy to dismiss the aesthetics of a detox center, because the evidence-based treatment is considered to be far more important. In many ways, however, the quality of the facility itself can play a major role in the recovery of patients. When patients feel comfortable, safe and secure, they are less likely to struggle with issues like anxiety, and there’s even some research to suggest that they may sleep better.

At the very least, detox centers should be clean and comfortable. Ideally, there would also be communal living spaces where patients can gather to share meals and experiences, and there should also be some outside space to enjoy the fresh air. Fitness facilities that encourage physical activity can also be helpful during detox and rehab.

Understanding of Dual Diagnosis Treatment

An often overlooked element of detox is the mental health component. While many rehab centers will begin treatment with a mental health assessment, it’s important to take this into consideration during detox as well. Unfortunately, some detox centers only focus on the physical symptoms of patients, overlooking the potential for mental health disorders.

Some withdrawal symptoms during detox can mimic mental health disorders such as depression and anxiety, so it’s vital that medical professionals understand whether these symptoms are underlying factors or just temporary conditions. Proper evaluations, and an overall awareness of dual diagnosis, can help detox centers better serve patients.

Choosing a detox center isn’t easy, considering the sheer number of choices available. When making a selection, prospective patients need to factor in dual diagnosis treatment, facilities, availability of medical detox and accreditation.