How Uncomfortable is Detox

(FAQ) I’m scared to get sober. Exactly how uncomfortable are withdrawals and detox?

Exactly how uncomfortable are withdrawals and the detox process?

This question is on the mind of many drug abusers who are looking to get sober. Nearly 21 million Americans ages 12 and older struggled with a substance use disorder in 2015. Many of these people recognize that they have an addiction, and they want to get help. The only thing standing in their way is fear.

Many drug addicts and alcoholics are afraid of how painful the withdrawal process can be. After all, TV shows and movies have often depicted withdrawals as an agonizing process, where the recovering addict is often shivering and in pain. You see the recovering addicts huddled in a corner, as their muscles ache and they try to wipe away their runny noses.

Anyone who’s ever experienced withdrawals will know just how painful the withdrawals can be. Sticking through the entire the withdrawal process may seem impossible. If you’re scared to get sober, learn more about how withdrawals feel like. If you know what to expect, the entire experience will appear less daunting and scary.

Is Detoxing Painful?

Alcohol and drug detox is basically a way to combat the withdrawal symptoms, so they are less difficult to overcome. The detox process involves the use of medications to help balance the neurochemical levels in the brain. Addiction causes the brain to go haywire. Neurotransmitter levels fluctuate tremendously. In some cases, this can be so dangerous that it’s deadly.

The detox process attaches to receptors in the brain to modulate and regulate various neurotransmitter chemical levels. Dopamine and serotonin are often targets of addictive substances. The detox process will regulate these neurochemical levels and also cleanse the body to get rid of all toxins. This makes the withdrawal process a lot more comfortable, and will alleviate some of the more intense symptoms. It makes it easier to break a dependence to drugs and alcohol.

So, is the detox process painful? After all, the drug abusers and alcoholics will technically be going through withdrawals.

The answer is that it depends. It depends on factors like the severity of the addiction, the addict’s biological makeup, the length of the drug use, the type of drugs abused and more. While the detox process can ease withdrawal symptoms, some drugs are naturally more painful to detox from than others. For example, an alcohol or opioid addiction can be quite painful to treat. However, if the addiction is relatively mild, the withdrawal symptoms won’t be too painful or difficult to handle. Each patient will have to go through the detox process to see how his or her body reacts. Everyone is different. While some people may find the detox process to only be slightly uncomfortable, others may have a more difficult time.

What Does Withdrawing from Various Drugs Feel Like?

To put your mind at ease, it’s a good idea to get a better understanding of how withdrawing from various drugs feel like. Some drugs are easier to quit than others. They may not have many withdrawal symptoms, or the symptoms may tend to be rather mild.

Cocaine

Cocaine withdrawal symptoms don’t usually require medical detox. This is because the symptoms tend to be quite mild. They’re also not dangerous at all. Those who are determined to get sober can easily wean off of cocaine without having to rely on any medications. When withdrawing from cocaine, you’ll feel:

• Agitated and restless
• Depressed
• Discomfort
• Fatigue
• Slowed reaction time

You might even experience an increase in appetite or vivid dreams. The most difficult aspect to deal with isn’t the discomfort. It’s the cravings that can last for months even after quitting. Some studies have shown that cocaine withdrawal symptoms may include suicidal thoughts.

Methamphetamine

Methamphetamine is a stimulant like cocaine, so the withdrawal symptoms are quite similar. Meth withdrawals are more psychological than physical. Drug addicts tend to feel depressed and anxious about the experience; however, they aren’t usually in a lot of pain.

Other common withdrawal symptoms include fatigue, excessive sleepiness, and an increase in appetite. Some drug abusers may experience episode of jitteriness. The withdrawal symptoms usually kick in within 24 to 72 hours after the last use and will peak within 4 to 7 days. The physical symptoms tend to subside within a week or two.

Alcohol

In comparison to all of the withdrawal processes, alcohol withdrawals are the most dangerous. They are also, perhaps, the most painful of them all. Many complications can arise during alcohol withdrawals. Some of these symptoms are serious enough that they can be deadly.

Alcoholics can expect to experience chills and cold sweats when withdrawing from alcohol. Their muscles and bones may also ache. In worst-case scenarios, some alcoholics may even experience delirium tremens or seizures.

Due to how dangerous alcohol withdrawals can be, detox is absolutely crucial in a successful and safe recovery. The medications balance the neurochemical levels in the brain to restore them back to their original state. With the right type of medications, the intensity of the withdrawal symptoms is greatly diminished. It becomes a lot more bearable.

Opiates and Opioids

There are many different types of opioids and opiates. Some of the most commonly abused opioids include heroin, oxycodone and fentanyl. The withdrawals from these drugs are extremely difficult to overcome, which is these drugs also need medical detox.

The withdrawal symptoms will feel like flu symptoms. Drug addicts will feel under the weather. They’ll experience muscle aches and pain and get runny noses. They’ll also have experience cognitive function impairment, among many other symptoms.

Medical detox will also make these symptoms a lot more bearable and less dangerous. With the right dose of medications, the detox process will not be too uncomfortable. The flu-like symptoms disappear subside much more quickly.

The psychological symptoms tend to last the longest. It’s not unusual for drug addicts to feel depressed or anxious even months after quitting their drug use. Years after quitting, some addicts may even crave opioids and opiates out of the blue.

Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepine withdrawal symptoms can also be rather painful. Drug abusers may experience headaches, muscle pains and stiffness and nausea when quitting. Mentally, they won’t be in a better state. In fact, these drug users can expect to feel anxious, irritable and agitated. They may experience sensory distortions and even insomnia while their body slowly resets back to normal.

While withdrawal symptoms for benzo abuse are quite painful, the medications used during the detox process can help ease some of the pain. It may not necessarily work all the time, and patients should expect to still experience some level of discomfort.

The severity of the withdrawals depends on the average dose that was taken previously. It also depends on how suddenly each patient has stopped taking the drugs. Those who slowly taper off of the drugs will usually experience less severe withdrawal symptoms.

Are There Medications to Help Me Stay Comfortable During the Detox Process?

There are plenty of medications that can be used during the detox process. Different types of addictions require different types of medications. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved certain medications specifically for certain types of drug addiction treatment. For example, methadone is designed for treating an opioid addiction.

What Types of Medications Are Used to Treat an Addiction to Opioids and Opiates?

Opiate and opioid withdrawal symptoms are just as difficult to treat.  Medical detox for opiates and opioids is known as Opiate Replacement Therapy (ORT). The medications used are weaker opioids that mimic the behavior of strong opioids. These weaker opioids attach to the same opioid receptors to curb cravings and ease withdrawal symptoms. Some of the most common medications used in ORT include:

Each type of medication works in a different way. Each medication also targets various opioid receptors in the body. Some medications are agonists that work in a similar fashion to opioids, whereas others are antagonists and block opiates and opioids from attaching to receptors in the central nervous system (CNS).

What Types of Medications Are Used to Treat an Addiction to Alcohol?

Alcohol withdrawal symptoms can turn deadly quickly. Some of the more intense withdrawal symptoms, like delirium tremens, have relatively high mortality rates. To ensure a safe recovery, medical detox is necessary. It’ll also make the recovery process a lot less painful. Common medications used for alcohol detox include:

The frequency and dose of the medication administered will vary from patient to patient. It depends on the patient’s genetics, among many other factors. 24-hour supervision ensures that all patients have the right medication dose, so they don’t feel any pain during the withdrawal process.

Are There Any Other Alternatives or Options Available?

There are other medications used to treat other types of addiction. For example, antipsychotics like olanzapine are common medications used in the medical detox of stimulants, like cocaine. Other medications used during the detox process are not necessarily approved by the FDA. However, these medications may help treat specific symptoms. For example, those who are struggling to sleep may take over-the-counter sleeping pills. Some medications are specifically used for treating co-occurring disorders.

Relax and Get Help Today

Don’t be scared of getting sober. Although the detox process may seem daunting and scary, it’s actually a lot simpler and easier than it looks. The detox process is simple and will help ease withdrawal symptoms, so you can wean off of your drug of choice with ease. It’ll expedite your recovery and help you transition into sobriety.

Here, at AspenRidge Recovery, we know just how damaging an addiction can be. We not only work with you towards achieving sobriety, but we also help mend strained and broken relationships. We teach you fundamental life skills that will help you build better habits and live a healthier life. Reach out to one of our addiction specialists to learn more about the detox process, and what we can do to help you break free from an addiction.