Alcohol and Drug Detoxification

Over time, drinking alcohol or using a drug eventually causes a physical dependence. The actual stopping of drinking alcohol or using drugs, results in what is known as withdrawal. Detox (withdrawal) without medical supervision and assistance is potentially very dangerous and should not be attempted. Alcohol and or drug detox can result is severe consequences, such as a seizure, nausea, hallucinations, high blood pressure and anxiety.

The length of time required for detox from alcohol or drug depends on the process being utilized. In general, alcohol detox, when done in a medical environment, can take anywhere from 3 to 5 days. For drugs such as heroin, opiates, methadone or benzodiazepines the time can range from 5 to 7 days of medically supervised detox. The medical process of detox from alcohol or drug usually includes administering a variety of substances to relieve the withdrawal symptoms and minimize the potentially harmful consequences. For alcohol, these potentially harmful consequences can include the delirium tremors (aka the DTs), convulsions, nausea, headaches, shakes and insomnia.