How Drug Detox Affects the Body

How Drug Detox Affects the Body

Picture of Dr. Norris Von Curl, II, MD

Dr. Norris Von Curl, II, MD

Drug detox is a critical first step in the addiction recovery process. It is a complex process that can have a significant impact on your body, both physically and emotionally. During drug detox, your body is purged of the chemicals that have accumulated during substance abuse. This process can be uncomfortable and even painful, but it is necessary for a successful recovery. At First Steps Recovery, we provide comprehensive care to ensure that your detox is as safe and comfortable as possible. In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at how drug detox affects the body.

How Does Drug Detox Work?

Drug detox is the body’s way of purging all toxic or unhealthy chemicals present. The process of detox can also be seen as medically assisted withdrawal. This detox process is separate from rehabilitation, according to National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). Detox is the first step in removing drugs from the system. Rehabilitation is the process of retraining the body and adjusting to sobriety.

In most cases, someone who abuses substances is highly dependent on the chemicals that produce a high. Their withdrawal will therefore be stronger, which requires physical monitoring during detox. It is typical for someone to be given medication to decrease the physical withdrawal symptoms, which can sometimes be intense. The intensity of detox may sometimes feel overwhelming, but at a center like First Steps Recovery, we will ensure your safety. As your body slowly adjusts to sobriety, it will undergo a healing process. This will be a slow rebuilding process that will enhance your physical health, appetite, sleep cycle, and rational thought processes.

What Happens to Your Body During Detox?

The medically managed process of withdrawal causes a lot of shifts in your body. Any drug substance causes a change in your chemical balance that can lead to a euphoric high. When you were using substances, your system became dependent on the schedule of the highs. Perhaps each high needed to exceed the last for your body and brain to be satiated. When the body does not receive this high, you can experience a mixture of symptoms including irritability, nausea, vomiting, depression, shaking, and more. Detox usually lasts roughly a week, although this will be different for each individual.

According to Detoxification From Alcohol and Other Drugs, a publication of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), drug or alcohol detox should not be viewed as a one-step process. It’s not about simply going a week without the substance and expecting your body to recover from the dependency. Instead, detox should be seen as the prerequisite to rehabilitation. Ultimately, these stages will lead to long-term sobriety.

Once you’ve completed detox, rehabilitation focuses on making any residual cravings manageable. During this time, you will learn coping skills and strategies to overcome any remaining tendencies to seek substances. Although the detox process will help significantly in reducing your desire for drugs, maintaining sobriety is a lifelong journey and requires ongoing support.

The Role of First Steps Recovery in Drug Detox

It takes a lot of physical, psychological, and emotional assistance to go through the challenging process of drug detox. This is the reason why so many people in recovery pick a reputable drug detox program like First Steps Recovery. Since no two individuals are alike, we at First Steps Recovery customize our services to meet each client’s needs. In addition to counseling, nursing, and other staff assistance, we offer medical treatment and monitoring around the clock.

As soon as you enroll in the First Steps Recovery program, our team of professionals will assess your physical and emotional health to develop a specialized treatment strategy for you. This approach will use many tactics to cater to your particular needs, including behavioral therapy, family therapy, and holistic healing.

Our team will work with you to ensure that your experience is comfortable and successful. We take you through the process of detox to help you achieve a permanently sober future. Ultimately, we will arm you with all the needed tools to fight your addiction and empower you to be free from its effects.

Choosing Lifelong Sobriety Through Detox

For many people, the decision to pursue a life of sobriety could ultimately save their lives. Although addiction recovery is no easy task, it can provide the opportunity to start fresh and live a fulfilling and healthier lifestyle. Drug detox is a key component of addiction recovery. It’s important to understand the process and what it entails. We believe in the importance of providing support and resources for those who are seeking lifelong sobriety.

By choosing lifelong sobriety through detox, you are allowing yourself to create a better future for yourself. You will gain insight into your addiction. You will learn how to cope with stress, make positive changes in your life, and build a strong foundation of self-care. With the right treatment and support, you can take back control of your life and decide to stay sober for the long term.

As your body goes through many changes during detox, you may struggle to hold on to your resolve. At First Steps Recovery, we understand how difficult addiction recovery can be. That’s why we provide services that address every aspect of your rehabilitation, including the initial detox stage. When you go through detox, you will be inside a professional facility with knowledgeable staff members who monitor your progress and adjust your plan every day and night. You will be cared for every step of the way and never abandoned in the process. If you are actively struggling with addiction, please call First Steps Recovery at (844) 489-0836 for more information on how we can help you achieve lasting sobriety. 

As your body goes through many changes during detox, you may struggle to hold on to your resolve. At First Steps Recovery, we understand how difficult addiction recovery can be. That’s why we provide services that address every aspect of your rehabilitation, including the initial detox stage. When you go through detox, you will be inside a professional facility with knowledgeable staff members who monitor your progress and adjust your plan every day and night. You will be cared for every step of the way and never abandoned in the process. If you are actively struggling with addiction, please call First Steps Recovery at (844) 489-0836 for more information on how we can help you achieve lasting sobriety. 

Picture of Meet Our Team
Meet Our Team

From our certified therapists and nurses to our emotional support animal "Cooper", our entire team is dedicated to the health and success of our clients throughout our program and beyond.

Help Is Available. Speak With Someone Today.

Our admission team is available to help 24/7.
Skip to content