When you’re recovering from drug dependence, your body goes through a process of eliminating harmful substances and restoring you to normal functioning. This process is called detox. With at-home detox services for drug addiction, you can recover in the comfort and privacy of your own home. However, it’s important to know what to expect to keep yourself safe.
Prescription Drug Withdrawal Symptoms
After you use an addictive drug for a long time, your brain and body depend on it to function. This substance dependence may make your brain stop producing essential chemicals. Your brain will return to normal functioning when the drug is gone. But first, you need to go through the detox process.
The withdrawal symptoms you experience during drug detox at home will differ based on your personal health history and factors like how long you’ve taken the drug and how much you typically consume. Prescription drug withdrawal symptoms are also slightly different for different kinds of substances.
- Stimulant withdrawal produces symptoms like anxiety, depression, insomnia, sweating, fever, and stomach pains.
- Opiate withdrawal produces symptoms like fatigue, sweating, muscle aches, nausea and abdominal cramps, a rapid heart rate, dilated pupils, and an inability to concentrate.
- Antidepressant withdrawal produces symptoms like mood swings, tremors, dizziness, loss of coordination, restlessness, muscle aches, headaches, nausea, and vomiting.
How Long Do Prescription Drug Withdrawal Symptoms Last?
The length of drug detox at home will depend on which drug you are detoxing from. Detoxing from a fast-acting prescription drug will produce immediate prescription drug withdrawal symptoms, while detoxing from a slow-acting drug may mean symptoms take longer to appear and disappear.
Other factors affect whether you experience mild, moderate, or severe withdrawal symptoms and how long these symptoms last. These factors include:
- The length of your substance use
- Whether you’ve combined different substances
- Any physical and mental health conditions you have
- The number of drugs you were consuming
- The dosage of drugs you were consuming
Remember that some psychological symptoms, like anxiety and depression, may last longer than physical symptoms.
One benefit of drug detox at home is that you can continue some of your responsibilities during the detox period. If you can, it’s smart to clear some time free of responsibilities in case you experience debilitating prescription drug withdrawal symptoms. However, being busy with activities can also provide an important distraction and reduce substance cravings.
Getting Professional Help for Drug Detox at Home
Even though you’re completing drug detox at home, it’s still essential to have the guidance of a medical professional. Your body will go through physical and psychological changes during withdrawal, and your doctor can use their knowledge of your health history to explain which prescription drug withdrawal symptoms you’re likely to experience.
Once you begin detox, your healthcare provider can check in with you regularly through in-person or telehealth appointments. They’ll ask about your symptoms and let you know which ones require medical attention. In many cases, they can tailor treatment to your symptoms.
Tips for a Safe, Healthy At-Home Drug Detox
You’re more likely to be successful in drug detox at home if you have a solid support system of family members, friends, medical professionals, or other people in recovery. Reach out to your support network for encouragement, motivation, and accountability. When you have drug cravings or difficult emotions, find someone you can trust to talk to about what you’re experiencing.
Taking care of yourself physically through good nutrition and hydration is also important. Healthy food and water can help repair the damage that addictive substances do to the body.
Additionally, a healthy diet builds up your immunity against diseases. Have plenty of water and healthy groceries, including fruits and vegetables.
Light exercise can help relieve some prescription drug withdrawal symptoms by helping rebalance the neurotransmitters in your body. Even a walk outside or an easy yoga routine can make a difference.
Drug Rehab at Southern Sky Recovery
You’re not alone in the recovery process, even if you detox at home. Our outpatient rehab and at-home detox services help people recover from the abuse of opiates, heroin, and other addictive drugs. Our medical staff uses evidence-based practices grounded in empathy, and many members of our staff are in long-term recovery.
To discover more about how the rehab process works and what to expect, reach out to us at [Direct] any time.
