Drug Detox

Contact Time Wellness Detox today to learn more about our detox centers in Arkansas.

What is Detox?

Detoxification, or detox, is a short-term program to help people complete withdrawal safely and with as little discomfort as possible.

When a person becomes addicted to alcohol or another drug, their body begins to adapt to the continued presence of the substance they have been using. When that person tries to end their substance use, this can throw their system into a temporary state of imbalance, often involving abnormal levels of various important neurotransmitters (brain chemicals).

As their body works to reestablish internal equilibrium, the individual may experience a range of unpleasant physical and psychological symptoms. This experience is known as withdrawal.

Detox offers professional support and supervision to help people manage their withdrawal symptoms and address any health threats if they should occur. 

Before a person completes their time in detox, their treatment team can help them determine which type or types of follow-on programming will best prepare them to live a more satisfying life, free from the constraints of compulsive substance use.

The path of recovery is neither short nor predictable. But when you begin that path at a reputable drug detox program, you take a significant step toward the healthier future you deserve.

How Does Drug Detox in Arkansas work?

At Time Wellness Detox in Arkansas, drug detox is a personalized experience, featuring comprehensive medical and therapeutic support in a safe and highly supportive environment.

When you choose to begin your recovery journey with us, we’ll conduct a thorough assessment to identify the full scope of your needs. We’ll then develop a customized plan to protect your health and help you manage your symptoms while you rid your body of alcohol or another addictive substance. Depending on what’s best for you, this plan may include prescription medication as well as various forms of psychotherapy.

Throughout your time with us, you will benefit from round-the-clock supervision and close personal support from a team of experts who are truly invested in your success. Working together, we can help you take this essential step toward successful, long-term recovery.

More: How Much Does Detox Cost?

Symptoms of Drug Withdrawal

The symptoms of drug withdrawal can vary depending on factors such as which drug you have become dependent on, how long you’ve been using this drug, and if you have any co-occurring medical or mental health concerns.

Common symptoms of alcohol withdrawal include:

• Intense alcohol cravings
• Increased heart rate and blood pressure
• Headaches
• Fever and excessive sweating
• Gastrointestinal distress
• Loss of appetite
• Insomnia
• Nightmares
• Exhaustion 

In rare cases, typically involving people who have been drinking heavily for an extended period of time, alcohol withdrawal can involve a life-threatening set of symptoms known as alcohol withdrawal delirium or delirium tremens (DTs).

This experience can involve:

• Extreme confusion and disorientation
• Auditory, visual, and/or tactile hallucinations
• Dangerously high heart rate and body temperature
• Tics and tremors
• Seizure

Someone who is withdrawing from heroin, fentanyl, or another opioid may experience symptoms such as:

• Powerful opioid cravings
• Watery eyes and runny nose
• Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
• Fever and chills
• Heart palpitations
• Abdominal cramping
• Pain in muscles and bones
• Appetite loss
• Insomnia
• Anxiety
• Agitation and irritability
• Depression

Withdrawal from stimulants such as cocaine and methamphetamine may cause:

• Strong cravings for cocaine
• Pervasive exhaustion
• Anxiety and irritability
• Depression
• Anhedonia (sense of emotional numbness)
• Disrupted sleep patterns (including insomnia or hypersomnia)
• Problems concentrating or focusing
• Paranoia
• Appetite changes
• Suicidal thoughts

Quitting Drugs Cold Turkey

Quitting drugs “cold turkey” means ending your substance use abruptly on your own, without professional support. 

Though some people are able to stop using drugs this way, the cold turkey approach can be problematic for many reasons, including:

• Drug withdrawal can be a highly unpleasant experience. When you try to get through it on your own, the physical and psychological distress can quickly become overwhelming. If you’re in a place where you have easy access to addictive drugs, the desire to end your distress can push you back into active substance use.
• Withdrawal is usually a temporary experience. But while you’re in the middle of it, it can feel like your symptoms are never going to end. Not knowing what to expect, or being unsure of how long the experience is likely to last, can also cause you to abandon your efforts to end your drug use.
• Failing to get through withdrawal can be a frustrating and demoralizing experience. If you don’t have the support you need at this crucial time, it may be a long time before you’re ready to try again, which means you will remain at risk for the myriad potential dangers of compulsive drug use.
• In some cases, such with people who have severe alcoholism, withdrawal can literally be a life-threatening experience. If you try to quit drinking on your own, by the time you realize you are in crisis, it may be too late to get the help you need.

When you choose to complete withdrawal at our drug detox in Arkansas, we can address these and other concerns. For example:

• While you’re with us, you will be in a closely supervised environment where you won’t have access to recreational drugs. This takes away the temptation to “treat” your symptoms by using the drug you’re trying to quit.
• Depending on the nature and severity of your symptoms, your treatment team may provide both medical and therapeutic support to help you manage any discomfort. 
• The team of professionals who care for you while you’re in our drug detox center will be familiar with all aspects of the withdrawal process. They can help you understand what symptoms you will likely develop, and how long those symptoms will last. This can eliminate fear of the unknown and help you maintain your motivation. 
• At Time Wellness Detox, you treatment team will also be prepared to address any contingencies that can threaten your health. The moment you experience any concerning symptoms, they can take immediate action to keep you safe.

How Long Does Drug Detox Last?

As is also the case with the types of symptoms you develop, the amount of time that drug detox lasts can be influenced by the specifics of your substance use.

Generally speaking, the acute phase of drug detox usually lasts five to 10 days. Symptoms typically peak within the first three to five days, then begin to slowly subside. As you begin to regain your physical strength and cognitive clarity, you’ll be able to fully engage in residential or outpatient therapy, where you can begin to build a foundation for long-term recovery.

Though rare, some people develop post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS). This involves extended symptoms – primarily cravings and other psychological or cognitive symptoms – that can last for months or even years after other symptoms have ended. 

Another benefit of going through withdrawal at a reputable drug detox is that your team can prepare you to address challenges such as PAWS in a healthy manner, without undermining your recovery.

Can I Detox from Drugs at Home?

Can you detox from drugs at home? Yes, it’s possible do to so. 

Should you detox at home? As discussed in the “Quitting Drugs Cold Turkey” section above, taking this approach can be a bad idea for several reasons.

If you try to detox at home, you won’t have access to the professional interventions that can minimize your distress and protect your health. But you will probably be able to acquire the substance you’re trying to stop using, which means your likelihood of a safe and successful experience can be substantially reduced.