Detox Information:

The goal of detox is the removal of poisonous toxins in the body that are accumulated from drug use. This can be a very frightening and painful experience unless properly treated. Because of the physical dependence, associated with drug abuse, the body may go into withdrawal in a matter of hours making it very difficult and sometimes physically dangerous to abruptly stop using.

Withdrawal is a process that starts when the drug use is discontinued. The body begins to crave the chemicals it has become used to having. The severity and nature of the withdrawal symptoms will vary greatly depending on the drug or drugs used as well as the frequency and length of use.

ALCOHOL DETOX:

In short alcohol detox is the process of ridding your body of all alcohol. Alcohol detox generally describes the time from the last drink, through the next 5-7 days. Detoxification is needed when your body becomes physically dependant on alcohol. You may or not be physically dependant on alcohol, however there are some symptoms that can cue you into whether or not you are suffering a physical addiction.

Mild to moderate psychological symptoms:
• Feeling of jumpiness or nervousness
• Feeling of shakiness
• Anxiety
• Irritability or easily excited
• Emotional volatility, rapid emotional changes
• Depression
• Fatigue
• Difficulty with thinking clearly
• Bad dreams
  Mild to moderate physical symptoms:
• Headache - general, pulsating
• Sweating, especially the palms of the hands or the face
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Loss of appetite
• Insomnia, sleeping difficulty
• Paleness
• Rapid heart rate (palpitations)
• Eyes, pupils different size (enlarged, dilated pupils)
• Skin, clammy
• Abnormal movements
• Tremor of the hands
• Involuntary, abnormal movements of the eyelids Severe symptoms:*
• A state of confusion and hallucinations (visual) -- known as delirium tremens
• Agitation
• Fever
• Convulsions
• "Black outs" -- when the person forgets what happened during the drinking episode

-Source: National Institute of Health
*Severe alcohol withdrawal symptoms especially those that include Delirium Tremors, seizures or hallucinations require immediate medical attention. These are not to be taken lightly and have resulted in severe physical harm and even death. If you experience these symptoms we recommend you visit your local emergency room or talk with your doctor before attempting to quit alcohol abruptly.

PRESCRIPTION DRUG DETOX:

Detox from prescription drugs is often one of the most uncomfortable detox's unless done under medical supervision.

Prescription drug detox is next to impossible if attempted by a person on their own accord due to the physical withdrawal.

Withdrawal symptoms include shakes, sweats, nausea, vomiting, insomnia, headaches, and depression. Prescription drugs form a physical dependence within the body making it almost impossible to stop suddenly without getting sick and going into withdrawal. Prescription drug detox should be done under close medical supervision using medications to prevent withdrawal symptoms and side affects. Before treatment can effectively begin, the body must be rid of all the poisonous toxins from these medications.

BENZODIAZEPINE DETOX:

Benzodiazepine detox can result in severe health complication if not done in a medical setting.

Benzodiazepines are classified as depressants, tranquilizers, or sedatives depending on their pharmacology, and chemistry.

A benzo detox is a medical necessity for a person addicted to them. Valium, Xanax, and Klonapin are the most widely used benzodiazepines in the world today. Usually these drugs are prescribed for sleep and anxiety, but can become addictive within a short period of time.

OPIATES DETOX:

Opiates come in many forms; such as Vicodin, Oxycotin a,nd Morphine to the only illegal and most powerful and addictive opiate, Heroin..

When a person addicted to opiates stops taking them suddenly, they go directly into withdrawal, and become very ill. Withdrawal symptoms include leg kicking, loss of appetite/weight, nausea, shakes, sweats, headaches, vomiting, and depression. Opiate detox is the process of removing the opiates from the body by medications so that the patient does not go into withdrawal and become ill.

MARIJUANA DETOX:

Marijuana is fat soluble, therefore it is stored in human fat cells. To completely rid your body of marijuana or THC takes a long time, up to 60 days in some cases. Marijuana is both an emotionally and psychologically addicting drug.

Chronic users can use a marijuana detox to help ease the withdrawal effects both physically and mentally.

Withdrawal symptoms may include depression, weight gain, stress, anxiety, anger, and a sense of being out of self.