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Medically Reviewed

Drug Detox

- 11 sections

Medically Verified: January 23, 2024

Medical Reviewer:

Sahil Talwar, PA-C, MBA

medically-verified

All of the information on this page has been reviewed and verified by a certified addiction professional.

DETOX PROGRAM FOR DRUGS

Drug detox is the first component of overcoming substance use disorder and drug addiction. Withdrawal management is a necessary step in the drug treatment process. Our drug detox center in Charlotte, NC allows patients to purge their bodies of the toxins that have accumulated as a result of ongoing drug abuse. In order to ensure each individual’s safety and success during the withdrawal period, it is important that the detox process is monitored and treated in a medically supervised setting. Our drug detox in Charlotte, NC if fully staffed with expert clinicians who are dedicated to making this process as safe and comfortable as possible.

Whether you have become addicted to prescription medications, cocaine, heroin, or a combination of substances, drug detox can be extremely uncomfortable and potentially dangerous. Furthermore, prolonged drug abuse can exacerbate withdrawal symptoms making it nearly impossible for an individual to quit using drugs on their own. Oftentimes, the individual suffering from substance use disorder will continue to use in order to avoid the painful withdrawal symptoms. Don’t let the fears of the detox process prevent you from taking control of your life. Our licensed drug detox facility in Charlotte, NC is designed to help you begin your addiction treatment while supporting you through the potential struggles of drug abuse withdrawal symptoms.

The Drug Detoxification Process

Detoxification is widely considered to be the first step in drug treatment. For a drug addict, the psychological burden of withdrawal is an obvious barrier to seeking substance abuse treatment. Not only do many drug addicts fear the loss of the substance itself, but most likely the possibility of uncomfortable physical, emotional, and mental withdrawal symptoms. Once an individual continuously abuses a substance and attempts to radically reduce the dosage or stop altogether, the detoxification process begins.

Contrary to what some people believe, detoxing from drugs requires more than willpower. Once the detoxification process begins, the drug addict will begin to experience withdrawal symptoms that can trigger complex, and potentially dangerous changes throughout his/her body. In most cases, those undergoing drug detox should be supervised by medical physicians to ensure health and safety throughout the process.

Drugs That Cause Withdrawal

Most substances that are abused for prolonged periods of time can alter the brain and the overall physical wellbeing of an individual. These substances can become addictive and when an individual relies on them to feel normal, abruptly stopping their use can cause withdrawal symptoms.

The following are some commonly abused drugs and their general withdrawal symptoms:

Opioids (prescription pain medications, heroin, morphine, etc)

  • Sweating
  • Muscle aches
  • Agitation
  • Diarrhea
  • Abdominal cramping
  • Vomiting
  • Flu-like symptoms
  • High blood pressure
  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Restless legs
  • Benzodiazepines (Xanax, Valium, Ativan)
  • Sedation
  • Heart palpitations
  • Sweating
  • Panic attacks
  • Hand tremors
  • Sleep problems
  • Seizures

Stimulants

  • Sleepiness
  • Muscle pain
  • Anxiety
  • Tremors
  • Low mood
  • Suicidal ideations
  • Cardiovascular complications
  • Extreme depression

Club Drugs (hallucinogens, LSD, GHB, MDMA/Ecstasy, Ketamine, PCP)

  • Tremors
  • Anxiety
  • Fatigue
  • Body aches
  • Dehydration
  • Depression
  • Hallucinations
  • Disruptive sleep patterns
  • Paranoia
  • Other serious physical/mental health complications

What Happens During Drug Detox?

Drug detox is the first step in the substance abuse treatment process. Detoxification is available in both inpatient and outpatient facilities, but individuals with substance use disorder should consider 24-hour care in a medically-supervised facility.

Intake

During the first hours of your detox process, our medical staff will begin the process with a mental and physical evaluation upon intake. Our compassionate clinical team will access your medical history, information about your drug use, applicable family history, and mental health screening. This initial review will help medical professionals determine what your individual needs are during drug detox.

Stabilization

Once your current state of mental and physical health has been assessed and your withdrawal symptoms have been evaluated, the detoxification process begins. Our drug detox program in Charlotte, NC takes a holistic approach to mitigate the medical and psychological withdrawal symptoms. Our clinical team provides around-the-clock supervision to reduce drug withdrawal symptoms while helping you to relax throughout the entire process.

Monitoring and Continuing Care

The length of drug detox varies from person to person. There are various risk factors such as weight, gender, physical health, type of drug abused, duration of drug abuse, and underlying mental health conditions that contribute to the different withdrawal symptoms. Charlotte Detox in North Carolina understands that the drug detoxification process is different for each person which is why we create individualized treatment plans in order to best suit your unique needs.

Once you are deemed medically stable, the real work begins. Addiction is defined as a chronic brain disorder. Therefore, treating the physical symptoms is only the first step. Drug detox gives your body the time to reach homeostasis as your mind begins to clear in order for you to receive the necessary tools to cultivate a foundation for lasting sobriety. Once you complete our drug detox in North Carolina, we recommend you participate in a comprehensive drug rehabilitation program. Comprehensive drug treatment programs incorporate behavioral therapies and addiction counseling, in order to maintain long-term sobriety.

Drug Detox in Charlotte, North Carolina

According to SAMHSA, generally the most severe drug detox symptoms tend to occur anywhere from 4 to 24 hours after last use and can last for hours, days, or even weeks. Some patients may also experience a recurrence of withdrawal symptoms after they have maintained their sobriety and moved forward on to an inpatient rehabilitation program. That is why it is important to begin your drug detox at Charlotte Detox Center.

Our compassionate team of clinicians at Charlotte Detox Center understands how vital the detoxification process is to your recovery. We offer comprehensive treatment plans and a small patient to staff ratio to ensure that you are as comfortable and safe as possible. Our detox facility is staffed with clinicians, doctors, counselors, and recovery coaches that are here to offer around-the-clock monitoring and support every step of the way.

You don’t have to allow your fears of drug detox to stand in the way of a lifetime of sobriety – if you or a loved one is suffering from drug addiction, contact us today.

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