Drug and Alcohol Detox Programs

There is no standard time frame for the detoxification process, as it depends on numerous factors. The length of detox and the physical symptoms experienced throughout the process depend on several factors, such as:

• The specific drug that has been used

• Length of addiction

• Amount of drug used during addiction

• Dose taken prior to entering treatment or detox

• Existence of any co-occurring mental health issues

• Use of other substances (including alcohol) during addiction and immediately before drug detox

• Length the specific drug stays in one’s system (half-life of a drug)

Detox refers to the process of metabolizing drugs and alcohol in a person's system to neutralize their toxic effects. The medical term for detox is “withdrawal management,” because when the process is managed correctly, detox helps patients maintain physical comfort as they safely withdraw from the effects of drugs and alcohol. It is important for detox to be medically supervised at a detox addiction treatment center or in a drug detoxification program, where doctors and healthcare experts are on-site to provide supervision, observations and support to manage symptoms, stabilize the patient’s health and keep patients safe from the harmful physical complications of intoxication and withdrawal.

Regardless of whether a person is entering inpatient alcohol treatment, inpatient drug treatment or some type of outpatient drug or alcohol rehab, safely managing the withdrawal effects of detox is often a critical component of treatment and care. The side effects of detox from alcohol and drug addiction can vary depending on the type of drug or drugs a person has in their system, how long they’ve been using, the state of their general overall health, and the like. Detox symptoms and effects vary, so the process looks different for each person. Some general expectations for detox side effects are described on this page.

Alcohol withdrawal is the most dangerous for people to undergo because physically detoxing from alcohol can be fatal. It can also cause grand mal seizures, strokes and heart attacks in some people. Because of these risks, alcohol detox should always occur in a medically supervised setting where close monitoring is possible. Other side effects of alcohol detox include hallucinations, delirium tremens (DTs), anxiety, nausea, insomnia, increased body temperature, heart palpitations, abdominal pain and more. These symptoms of withdrawal, and others, can be properly managed with medical supervision in an alcohol detox center or hospital.

Opioids include opiates like morphine, heroin and codeine, as well as synthetic opioids like oxycodone and hydrocodone. They are a class of drugs used to manage pain. Once a person has become dependent on opioids, the withdrawal will happen with cessation.

Opioid detox side effects can vary greatly from person to person, depending on the type of opioid used and the duration of dependence. In general, though, opioid detox side effects can be broken down into two stages. Comfort medication is commonly used in opioid drug detoxification and opioid addiction rehab programs, as the experience after the first 24 hours can be incredibly unpleasant.

Early-stage opioid withdrawal side effects (usually within 24 hours of a person’s last opioid use — and often as soon as 12 hours post-use):

• Intense cravings for the drug

• Anxiety

• Aggression

• Anger

• Delusions

• Restless legs

• Sweating

Later-stage opioid withdrawal side effects (24 hours or more post-use):

• Diarrhea

• Nausea

• Vomiting

• Abdominal cramps

• High blood pressure

• Racing heartbeat

• Blurry vision

• Dilated pupils

Detoxing from benzodiazepines can be dangerous and should only be done under medical supervision. Physical withdrawal can take months to complete, so choosing a drug detoxification program and treatment program can greatly reduce discomfort and relapse.

Because different benzodiazepines have different half-lives, side effect symptoms and timelines can vary, but in general, benzodiazepine detox side effects include:

• Irritability
• Weight loss
• Sour stomach
• Heart palpitations
• Tremors
• Anxiety
• Insomnia

Side effects from a stimulant like cocaine, crack cocaine or methamphetamines usually start within 36 hours of stopping the drug and can continue for a few weeks or even months. Withdrawing from cocaine use and other forms of stimulant use is uncomfortable, and the symptoms are difficult to manage. Comfort medication is often used in cocaine and methamphetamine treatment.

Common side effects that occur when detoxing from stimulants can be broken down into three stages.

Early Stage (or "crashing"):

• Intense drug cravings

• Increased appetite

• Anxiety

• Anger

• Aggression

• Agitation

• Delusions

• Fatigue

Middle Stage:

• Inability to focus

• Fatigue

• Confusion

• Insomnia

• Depression

• Memory loss

• Cravings

Late Stage:

• Intense sleepiness

• Extreme appetite

• Mood swings

• Bad dreams