Blood, urine or other lab tests are used to assess drug use, but they’re not a diagnostic test for addiction. However, these tests may be used for monitoring treatment and recovery. Rapid detox is a method of removing substances from a user’s system faster than regular detox. Advocates of rapid detox say it’s a faster way to get the drugs out of the body while avoiding painful withdrawal symptoms. A medically supervised detox prevents dangerous complications of drug and alcohol withdrawal. For example, some people with a history of alcohol use disorder (AUD) can experience delirium tremens (DTs) within the first few days of detox.
However, popular detox diets rarely identify the specific toxins they aim to remove or the mechanism by which they supposedly eliminate them. Detox diets often involve the use of laxatives, diuretics, vitamins, https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/drug-detox-process-and-side-effects/ minerals, teas, and other foods thought to have detoxing properties. However, the body “detoxifies” itself naturally and doesn’t actually require special diets or expensive supplements to eliminate toxins.
Drug And Alcohol Detox
Despite that, quitting “cold turkey” and at-home detox are common approaches. Ultra rapid detox, which touts an ability to ease the process of opioid withdrawal, is a controversial method that can produce dangerous outcomes. Drinking alcohol or using drugs while pregnant can harm not only the mother but also the fetus, as these substances cross the placenta. Detox, especially if done cold turkey, can cause stress on the fetus such as preterm labor or severe fetal distress.
Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa is a Forbes Travel Guide verified-luxury five-star resort. Detox diets are said to eliminate toxins, which supports improving https://ecosoberhouse.com/ health and promoting weight loss. Regular physical activity lowers inflammation and allows your body’s detoxification system to work properly.
Risks of Home Detox & Quitting ‘Cold Turkey’
The duration of your withdrawal symptoms depends on the substance you used, along with the length and intensity of your addiction—typically, just a few days, but weeks or months in some cases. Having a fully staffed, around-the-clock detoxification clinic allows medical staff to ensure each person is as stable as possible throughout withdrawal from drugs and alcohol. Inpatient detox allows for around-the-clock care, where a person can be monitored and withdrawal symptoms can be managed with medication, supplements, and more. Detox can help lay the groundwork for continued sobriety by addressing the physical withdrawal symptoms of addiction, so the emotional and psychological aspects can be tackled after in a rehab program. The safest and most effective detox method involves seeking professional help from a healthcare facility.
In order to avoid severe complications, attending an inpatient or outpatient detox program is strongly recommended. Withdrawal symptoms usually begin within 8 to 48 hours after the last drug dose and continue for a week to a few weeks. It’s crucial to receive ongoing treatment and address other health issues, especially if you have a co-occurring mental disorder. Detox is preparation for the hard work of recovery and sober living, which starts after completing the detox process. It may also result in challenging medical and psychological effects that are hard to manage without professional support.
Natural or At-Home Detox (Not Recommended)
If you are someone you know is experiencing substance addiction or withdrawal, help is available. Reach out to a healthcare provider, such as a primary care practitioner, psychologist, or addiction specialist for support. Coping with substance withdrawal and addiction can be a challenge. Support groups are available for addiction and even for addiction to specific substances such as alcohol, heroin, cocaine, and marijuana. Additionally, there are things that can be done at home to help alleviate symptoms of withdrawal, such as eating a healthy, well-balanced diet.
Increasing your intake of potassium-rich foods — which counterbalance some of sodium’s effects — also helps. Foods rich in potassium include potatoes, squash, kidney beans, bananas, and spinach (51). By increasing your water intake, your body reduces the secretion of the antidiuretic hormone and increases urination, eliminating more water and waste products (49, 50). Consuming too much salt can cause your body to retain excess fluid, especially if you have a condition that affects your kidneys or liver — or if you don’t drink enough water.
Detox at home
The payoff is a healthier, happier, more productive lifestyle at home, work, and play. Occasionally, withdrawal symptoms go on for months, or they go away and then come back. If it happens to you, talk to your doctor about getting more help.
- It’s important to eat regularly scheduled, balanced meals containing proper caloric and nutritional values.
- Detoxing can take time and may require additional support from your doctor and loved ones.
- For example, if you have heart disease or diabetes you may be at a higher risk for complications during alcohol withdrawal.
- Biological changes occur in your brain during withdrawal as your body seeks homeostasis, causing a mix of physical and emotional symptoms.
- This may seem like the easiest and cheapest way to detox, but quitting cold turkey can have serious health risks.
In this option, you have outside access to drugs and can skip treatment sessions, increasing your chances of relapse. Make sure to talk with a healthcare provider before going through a substance detox (stopping use of a substance). In some cases, the process can be dangerous, as there are potential complications. Approximately 1 in 500 people die from ultra rapid detox, according to the Coleman Institute. Participating in support groups for people with substance use disorders can also provide great opportunities for meeting new people and sharing with others who have had similar experiences. Exact timelines and symptoms can depend on the individual and their previous substance use.
