The Basics
Detoxification is the process of ridding the body of drugs and/or alcohol and managing the accompanying symptoms of withdrawal. Detox is usually the first step in an addiction treatment program. But it is not treatment itself.

Detoxing from alcohol and drugs each involve different methods. It's important to seek help in a treatment center, hospital or clinic.

For example, hastened alcohol withdrawal, as in quitting on your own, can cause severe health problems and can be fatal in some cases. Withdrawing from drugs like opiates can involve taking other drugs to lessen uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms.

Let's look at the process of detoxification, the symptoms of withdrawal and some of the dangers.

Alcohol Detox Symptoms
If you are an alcoholic and were to immediately stop drinking you might experience some of the following:

  • Headache
  • Sweating
  • Nausea/vomiting
  • Shaking
  • Anxiety and restlessness
  • Elevated heart rate and blood pressure

These symptoms appear between 6 and 48 hours after heavy drinking has stopped. They start to subside within five days.

If you've been a heavy drinker for some time, your withdrawal may be difficult. You may experience a more severe, unpleasant and even life threatening form of withdrawal called delirium tremens (DTs). The symptoms include:

  • Fever
  • Severe vomiting
  • Hallucinations
  • Extreme agitation
  • Seizures and convulsions

This condition can cause changes in your brain that seriously affect your circulation and breathing.  About 5% of patients undergoing withdrawal experience DTs usually 24 to 48 hours after the last drink of alcohol.

Treatment
Patients are given a physical examination in a detox treatment facility. Vital signs (heart and blood pressure) are monitored. Because of severe dehydration from vomiting and sweating, patients are often given intravenous (IV) fluids.

Alcoholics are often deficient in vitamins like thiamine and minerals such as magnesium, phosphate and sodium. These are given intravenously.

Some patients may require drugs in the Benzodiazepines class such as Valium. These are used to treat anxiety, insomnia and seizures—some of the same symptoms experienced in alcohol withdrawal.

Others may simply need to be monitored in a quiet room with little more than an IV.

Alcohol detoxification usually lasts from 3 to 10 days.

Drug Detox Symptoms
Detoxification for all drug addictions should occur in an impatient or outpatient treatment center. Patients with mild withdrawal symptoms may only need outpatient treatment.  But these folks still need lots of support and medical care during their detox program.

Those addicted to drugs such as cocaine, marijuana, opiates (heroin, Oxycontin, Vicodin), and methamphetamine will have varying degrees and types of withdrawal symptoms. Some common emotional symptoms include:

  • Long periods of depression
  • Nervousness and anxiety
  • Volatile mood swings
  • Suicidal thoughts

Common physical symptoms can include:

  • Hallucinations
  • Vomiting
  • Chills and sweats
  • Cramps and muscle pains
  • Sleeplessness
  • Agitation

Treatment
Depending on the kind of addiction and the severity, some patients will be administered other medicines to help ease them off their drugs and lessen withdrawal symptoms.

For example, opiate pain relievers (Oxycontin) are given another opiate, buprenorphine, to help alleviate or lessen symptoms like muscle pain, vomiting and agitation. Doses of buprenorphine can be used to further treatment once the patient has completed detox.

Summary

Detoxification is an important first step for treating addiction. Methods vary slightly depending on the addiction. But all people should go through detox in a medical clinic, hospital or treatment center. Staff at these facilities can lessen withdrawal symptoms and monitor the health of the patient. This makes a safe and more successful step into a treatment program.