How to Detox Your Body from Drugs? 6 Easy Tips

It might seem more than difficult to figure out how to detox your body from drugs. However, the withdrawal symptoms ¹appear based on the number of substances consumed and for how long. Metabolism and weight also play a huge role. This article talks about how to detox your body and several ways to do it. 

The body of people who are addicted become tolerant of those substances. Someone who takes these substances continues to feel ecstatic for a while, and gradually the body becomes dependent on them. Their body needs them to function.

So if a user is not able to consume the said amount of substances, they will encounter withdrawal symptoms. A couple of substances require detoxification,² such as cocaine, alcohol, Ecstasy, Opioids, Heroin, etc.

1. What Is Detoxing

Before answering how to detox your body from drugs, it is crucial to know what detoxes your body from drugs.
In any drug abuse case, the first step is to go for detoxification. It is the first step, and it flushes out all the toxins from your system.

But unfortunately, the whole process can take about 7-11 days, and it depends from person to person. You should note that detoxing might lead to death.

2. Withdrawal Process

While finding out how to detox your body from drugs, we miss out on one of the most important things: the withdrawal process. Unfortunately, it is prevalent, and it can be entirely dodged if proper care is taken.

Withdrawal processes are when the body clears out the drugs and toxins from the body to get back into a normal state. Usually, such a process can be complicated for many of them. In some cases, withdrawal symptoms can be risky.

People who are battling drug abuse need medical supervision during the withdrawal and detox process.³ Then, they must go for it to reduce the symptoms.

2.1. Detox Programs

You can choose between medical detox and clinically managed social detox while figuring out how to detox your body from drugs.

2.1.1. Medical Detox

Here you will be medically supervised by health professionals. You will be taken care of, starting from painful withdrawal symptoms and any medical complications.

If occurred then there is no need to worry, as you are in the care of the best hands. You will get the best nutritious meals, medications, and support and maintenance.

2.1.2. Clinically-managed Social Detox

A person who wants to quit drugs or alcohol can get help from support groups, but it’s the same that you shouldn’t take drugs or consume alcohol while flushing out all the toxins. This won’t work in the case of chronic addiction.⁴

In most cases, the doctors give the following medical advice to take medical detox over clinically-managed social detox.⁵

3. How To Detox Your Body From Drugs At Home?

It can be a tough decision to go cold turkey and go on the road to recovery. However, it is the first and essential step to take. Home detox is quite a popular alternative preferred by patients.
The patients get the required protection and confidentiality. They can relax at home. Also, they are less stressed as they are in a familiar setting, reducing anxiety.

The patient will be able to receive care from detox professionals and also have the family’s support.

4. How To Detox Your Body From Drugs: A Process

 It includes three steps, and those are:

4.1. Evaluation

Firstly the medical professionals determine the number of substances by doing a blood test. It will help in knowing the level of medication required.

4.2. Stabilization

The second test is to stabilize the patient with medicines and therapy. The whole reason for this is to make sure the patient is safe and does not have further complications.

4.3. The Entry into Treatment Programs 

The final step is to go for addiction treatment. The medical professionals run through the treatment process with the patients.

5. Some Additional Tips

The answers to how to detox your body from drugs are straightforward and basic, and if followed consistently, it will help in the long run.

5.1. Hydration

You need to drink a minimum of 2 liters of water daily to combat dehydration.⁶ The effects can be a headache, muscle pain, and general fatigue.

The advantage of water is that it is a natural detox, and it will help flush out all the chemicals and toxins, fats, and unwanted items. However, more water is the effect of flushing out the toxins.

Therefore, it is better to keep a water bottle handy and take small sips at regular intervals.

5.2. Right Amount of Nutrition

It is essential to eat the proper nutrients while recovering. First of all, avoid sugars and junk foods. You need to cut down on processed food and refined foods as they don’t have nutrients.

It would be best to start eating fresh veggies and fruits and that too unprocessed food along with the right minerals and vitamins.

You can include juices. Drinking juices containing natural fruits and vegetables is one way of acquiring all the vitamins and minerals. Also, drinking it 4-5 times a day is better as you consume many vitamins and minerals.

5.3. Exercising and Fitness

In one way, you are getting all the proper nutrients and drinking the right amount of water. It is crucial to swear it out and release the toxins in the body. Start by doing small exercises and slowly do an entire workout session.

By exercising, you will produce endorphins in your brain, from which you get a mental boost and physical strength.

You can do running, yoga, and play a sport. Alternatively, you can try saunas, which will help you relieve stress and release a heavy amount of sweat.

Also, you can try hot baths as it flushes out the toxins away through salts.

5.4. Sleep Cycle

If you have consumed substances at a higher level, it will hamper your sleep cycle. The reason is that you need to sleep for 7-8 hours of sleep for the detox to work.

If you are in a rehab center, you will be given medication to help you sleep better.

5.5. Caffeine and Nicotine

As you are part of the recovery process, you need to avoid caffeine and nicotine products. Caffeine will hamper your sleeping schedule.

Also, they act as a trigger, and there are chances that you will replace them before recovery.

5.6. Lowering Your Stress

As you quit drugs or alcohol, your stress levels go high. If you are in an in-patient facility, they will take the best care to make sure you are stress-free.

It would help if you relaxed because your stress hormone cortisol⁷ is harmful, which will hamper the detox process.

5.7. Go For A Massage

Another way to release those toxins can be going for massages. Massage will also lower your stress levels and let you relax efficiently.

6. Side Effects 

It is crucial to know that when you learn how to detox your body from drugs, it comes with pros and cons. Here we are talking about the side effects it comes up with.

Detox at home is all-natural and helps in detoxing your body of all the harmful toxins, and helps you recover later on.

However, if the withdrawal symptoms and caving can cause a medical emergency, most doctors would medically advise you to an in-patient facility.

1. Insomnia
2. Difficulty concentrating
3. Anxiety
4. Fatigue
5. Mood swings
6. Body discomfort

7. Alcohol Detox

Although to answer how to detox your body from drugs, it is not limited to only drugs; it also applies to alcohol.

Alcohol detox is the right step in treating alcoholism.⁸ Here alcohol is flushed out entirely from the system. The withdrawal symptoms recede within one or two weeks after the initiation of detox.

It takes months and years of drinking for your body to rely on alcohol entirely. The withdrawal symptoms include headache, fever, nausea, and hallucinations. Alcohol use disorder (AUD) has something to do with withdrawal symptoms.

One of the severe effects of alcohol withdrawal can be delirium tremens⁹. It begins after your last drink and starts within 2-5 days, and it can be dangerous to life.

The withdrawal symptoms can be severe, so doctors should handle them.

The withdrawal symptoms can be:

1. Nausea
2. Fatigue
3. Anxiety
4. Headache
5. Racy heart
6.  Sweating
7. Vomiting

8. Substance Use Disorder

Also, only knowing how to detox your body from drugs isn’t enough. You need to know the medical issues it brings in.
Substance abuse is such a menace that it influences the brain and behavior and causes many people to be addicted. You would use the drug even if it has dangerous recuperations.

Symptoms:

1. The urge to use the drug regularly
2. Using in large amounts
3. Unable to quit
4. Going through withdrawal symptoms

9. Mental Health

While detoxing our bodies from drugs, we ignore how these drugs affect our mental health. People who have addiction disorder tend to have mental health problems.

There are particular substances, along with addiction issues, that also cause mental health problems. Someone who has mental health problems may take substances to cope with it.

The mental problems can be depression, anxiety disorder, schizophrenia, and personality disorder. The recovery from these two can be rehabilitation, medication, support groups, and talk therapy.

10. Behavioral Health

Alcohol and drug abuse have a significant effect on behavioral health. There is a shift in the energy level and mood swings. They slowly move away from family and friends and hang out with dubious peers. There is negativity hovering around in your professional and personal life.

The drugs from the body can be flushed out only if the patient is willing to take the first step and go for the detox program and come out clean. The treatment facilities, if taken, will be given the best care by the doctors.

11. Conclusion

1.  Are there any over-the-counter detox products available?

A: There are various over-the-counter detox products marketed for drug detoxification, but their effectiveness is often questionable. It is important to be cautious when considering such products and consult with a healthcare professional for guidance.

2. What are the potential withdrawal symptoms during drug detoxification?

A: Withdrawal symptoms vary depending on the drug and the individual’s physiology. They can range from mild to severe and may include anxiety, depression, nausea, sweating, tremors, insomnia, irritability, and cravings.

3. What happens after completing drug detoxification?

A: Drug detoxification is the first step in the recovery process. After completing detox, it is essential to engage in further treatment, such as counseling, therapy, or a rehabilitation program, to address the underlying issues related to addiction and develop strategies for maintaining sobriety.

Read more

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Last Updated on April 24, 2024 by ayeshayusuf