Detoxification is a necessary part of overcoming drug abuse.  It is vital in the recovery process because it helps the body break its addiction to the substance the person has been abusing. If an individual does not go through drug detox then they will continue to have a strong physical craving for drugs and the withdrawal symptoms will make it very difficult for them to stay away.

A person may become nauseous, have convulsions, the shakes or even throw up until the drug completely leaves their body.   This makes it very difficult for them to quit using because self-preservation and the desire for comfort will compel them to get more of the drug to quiet the symptoms.

A drug detox program can be very helpful for these individuals.  Many times medication is given to ease the withdrawal symptoms. They may also be given in lieu of a particular drug. An addict will be given a prescribed drug that they are to take instead of the one they have been addicted to. They will take it for a certain period of time and then will be eventually weaned off the medication.  This helps make the process of quitting easier. It is very hard for some people to just stop using and this is designed to aid these individuals.

There are some drugs that are very dangerous to simply stop taking. Persons who are addicted to them may need to go through a specialized drug detox program. For example, individuals who abuse Opioids such as methadone, heroin, Xanax, Oxycontin and Vicodin will need to go through medically supervised detox. Other drugs such as cocaine and marijuana don’t require medically supervised detoxification. 

A drug detox center may be necessary if the withdrawal process needs to be monitored due to the types of drugs abused. Those that require a great deal of support might also benefit from drug detox as well.  Detoxification is very difficult not only physically but also psychologically and emotionally.  Many people feel like they simply can’t go through it alone. As a result, they may desire professional support.

Individuals who go through a drug detox commonly experience the following symptoms, headaches, agitation, diarrhea, depression, stomach pain, sweating, cravings, anxiety and the inability to sleep. A drug detox center may administer various medications to help ease those withdrawal symptoms. The particular ones that they will administer will be dependent on the types of drugs a person has been using. One that is commonly administered is Klonepin which helps with the physical symptoms just mentioned.  Buprenex is another medication that is given and its purpose is to prevent or stop convulsions. It is important that the administration of these drugs is properly monitored so that the patient is not harmed.

Most times drug detox will be inpatient. Individuals will need to stay in the facility until the detoxification process is complete.