When you decide to make a change and get clean from a drug or alcohol addiction, it’s a multistep process that presents unique challenges along the way. The first step towards a life of sobriety starts with completely flushing and eliminating toxins from your system — more commonly known as detoxing. If you have never experienced the process before, it can be difficult to identify how far along you are or if any progress has been made.
You may get discouraged by your perceived lack of progress and become more susceptible to a relapse. While going to an alcohol detox center may give you the support you need to make positive progress, having a clearer idea of the signs that your body is going through detox can set you up for future success.
Physical Signs of Detox
When you stop using a particularly addictive substance such as drugs or alcohol, the signs of withdrawal can happen quickly. Depending on the intensity of your addiction, the first signs can show themselves within a few hours since you last used them. If you aren’t mentally prepared to fight through these symptoms, the likelihood that you relapse to avoid the negative effects is astronomically higher. The detoxification process includes a long list of physical signs that indicate that you are moving in the right direction.
Some of the physical signs that you’re going through the detoxification include:
- Body Pain
- Tremors
- Fatigue
- Sleepiness
- Leg Cramps
- Sweating
These signs might appear undesirable, but they clearly indicate that your body is readjusting to not having the substance in your system. An organized treatment program can help you navigate these symptoms and work towards becoming — and staying — sober.
Mental Signs of Detox
Substance abuse fundamentally changes your brain chemistry, rewiring your brain to associate the substance with your pleasure and reward center to associate it with these positive feelings. During your detox, you may experience certain mental issues and mood swings that show that your systems are getting rewired again.
Some of the mental signs that you’re experiencing detox can include:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Irritability
- Cravings
It’s possible that during the early stages of the process, you can develop co-occurring conditions that affect your mental health. This dual diagnosis of a substance abuse disorder and mental illness can help inform your addiction rehab program what kind of treatment plan will give you the most support.
How Long Does Detoxing Last?
Now that you know the mental and physical signs of detoxing, you’ll want to know how long the process lasts before you start to feel normal again. Multiple factors go into determining how long a given detox will last. You can expect the process to last a few days for mild to moderate usage. However, it can last up to a couple of weeks for heavy users.
Let Steps to Recovery’s Sister Program Help You Through Your Detox
The early stages of your recovery hinge on your ability to make it through the detox portion and into an addiction treatment and rehab center. With the guidance and support, you can get the help you need to make your dreams of sobriety a reality. Steps to Recovery has helped countless people work their way through their personal journeys to find what it means to be clean and sober to them.
We can help you identify the signs of a successful detox and help you stay the course instead of slipping back into old habits. If you or someone you love are struggling with making it through the detox stage and onto the next phase of your treatment, our detox center in Mahanoy City, PA, can help. Contact the Steps to Recovery team at 866-488-9684 to set up the first appointment today.
Sources:
https://www.ardurecoverycenter.com/2020/05/what-are-signs-your-body-is-detoxing/
https://www.naturaltherapypages.com.au/article/detox-symptoms
https://www.freewordcentre.com/signs-your-liver-is-detoxing/
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The early stages of your sobriety rely on your ability to make it through your detox. Learn the signs of detoxification and how it helps you in the long run.
