Several differences should be understood when comparing alcohol and drug Detox.
Alcohol Detox
Alcohol detox is necessary for a person to achieve an alcohol free and non-dependent state and begin the successful road to a long-term recovery. To fully detox from alcohol abuse, the process usually takes anywhere from 3 to 14 days, depending on the severity of an individual’s reactions and physical health. The effects of alcohol detox can include mild to the very severe reactions and regardless of the level of seriousness the reactions are, the process can always be traumatic for the person undergoing detox.
Mild reactions can include:
- Headaches
- Delirium Tremors (DTs)
- Vomiting
- Perspiration
- Restlessness
- Loss of appetite
- Insomnia
Severe reactions can include:
- Tremors (the shakes)
- Convulsions (hyperactivity/seizures)
Drug Detox
Drug Detox – Drug detox always brings with it withdrawal symptoms, which is brought on by the sudden discontinuation of use or dramatic reduction of drug use, following prolonged or heavy use of a drug over an extended period of time. During drug detox, withdrawal symptoms usually include the following reactions:
Drug detox reactions include:
- Sweating
- Shaking
- Headache
- Drug craving
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Abdominal cramping
- Diarrhea
- Inability to sleep
- Confusion
- Agitation
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Other behavioral changes