Detox is the process of safely removing substances such as alcohol and opioids from your system. Detoxification (detox) is part of a broader treatment plan and is often the first stage of your recovery journey. The first 72 hours of detox are important in determining how your body stabilizes and to prepare you for the next steps.
Over 300,000 people with a substance use disorder undergo a detox program in general hospitals every year [1]. That number is much larger when factoring in detox programs in other clinical settings. Research shows that detox is an effective part of recovery treatment and contributes to long-term abstinence from substances [2]
But what exactly happens during the first days of detox? I explain below, so you have a clearer idea of what to expect.
What Is Detox?
A medical detox is when a dedicated team helps you to taper off a substance after a period of dependency. Common substances that people seek detox for include:
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Alcohol
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Opioids
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Benzodiazepines
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Methamphetamines
Medical detox typically involves staying at a medical facility while you receive treatment. You are monitored 24/7 to ensure your safety and to help you pass through withdrawal symptoms. Some detox programs may use Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) to alleviate severe symptoms of opioid withdrawal, reduce cravings, and reduce the risk of relapse.
It’s important to note that detox can be done at home, but it is not recommended. Medical detox ensures that you have resources and expertise available to safely and successfully remove substances. It also is designed to make detox as comfortable as possible. And, because some withdrawal symptoms can be life-threatening — such as seizures and tremors — it may be necessary to have medical intervention.
Retention rates for medical detox are high. Studies show that up to 95% of people complete detox and that 92% seek further treatment after finishing [3].
How Long Does Detox Take?
Detox times vary depending on the substance you’re withdrawing from, the length of time you’ve had a dependency, and other factors. On average, programs last 3-10 days. Withdrawal symptoms can start to show as early as 6 hours after the last use of a substance. However, withdrawal symptoms manifest differently based on frequency and dose and biological factors such as weight, age, and existing health conditions.
The first 72 hours of detox are when symptoms are most intense, as it’s when the body tries to achieve a state of homeostasis, the chemical balance to function healthily. You may feel particularly uncomfortable and vulnerable during this time and be more prone to relapse.
What Withdrawal Symptoms Show In Detox?
Common withdrawal symptoms that arise in detox include:
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Nausea
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Insomnia
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Vomiting
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Hot and cold flushes
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Anxiety
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Muscle aches
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Sweating
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Runny eyes and nose
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Digestive problems
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Delirium Tremens (DTs)
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Hallucinations
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Seizures
Keep in mind that the aim of detox is to safely remove a substance from your system. Detox can manage withdrawal symptoms, but it cannot prevent them. Medical detox programs can provide medications and an environment that reduces symptoms and lowers the risk of harm due to severe symptoms.
What Happens In The First 72 Hours of Detox?
24 Hours (Day 1): Withdrawal symptoms start to show, most likely restlessness, anxiety, and nausea. Your heart rate and blood pressure will start to increase. Some people report feeling a sense of dread on the first day.
48 Hours (Day 2): Withdrawal intensifies at this point, known as ‘the peak’. If you have tremors, these will likely become more pronounced. Sleeping will be difficult; you may not be able to fall asleep or have trouble staying asleep. You may be sweating and have hallucinations. Day 2 is when the risk of having a seizure is highest.
72 Hours (Day 3): Symptoms can feel most acute by day 3. Physical and emotional sensations will be high: you may feel confused and have a fever and also experience strong waves of depression and mood swings. If you’re detoxing from alcohol, Alcohol Withdrawal Delirium (AWD), commonly known as Delirium Tremens (DTs), can occur at this phase and requires immediate medical attention.
What Happens After 72 Hours?
The first 3 days of detox are the hardest. After this time, the process generally starts to ease up and people feel more stable. Symptoms won’t disappear immediately, but they will gradually alleviate, and the risk of serious complications will pass.
Sleep and appetite will likely be very affected for a few days, and brain fog and mood fluctuations will remain for a while as the body recalibrates.
By day 6 most people say that withdrawal symptoms feel manageable. They still have low energy and sometimes feel an intense sadness or heightened emotional state as the nervous system settles. Typically, by days 7-10 the most intense phase of detox will be over.
Finishing detox is a huge achievement, but it does not equal recovery. You may experience disrupted sleep, appetite, and mood regulation for weeks afterward. You should extend the benefits of finishing detox by continuing addiction care through programs such as residential care or an Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP).
Research highlights that people with planned long-term treatment have a 23.9 % greater chance of abstaining from substances than did people who receive a shorter standard treatment [4].
Detox At Buena Vista Health & Recovery Center
We are a leading rehab facility for alcohol and substance use disorders. Our centers in Chandler and Tucson, AZ span 50,000 square feet each and are fully equipped for safe and effective detox.
We have a team of licensed, empathetic professionals who provide care to overcome addiction. We use a holistic approach that blends evidence-based therapies such as CBT and DBT with MAT where needed, plus we have wellness activities to help you move through the hardest stages of withdrawal with the most possible comfort.
We offer same-day detox admissions to get on the path to recovery earlier — and we stay with you. We are compassionate and judgment-free, and we believe that everyone deserves to live a happy, healthy life.
You’re closer to recovery than you realize. Call us and start your detox.
Sources
[1] SAMHSA. (2006). Detoxification and Substance Abuse Treatment. (2006). National Library of Medicine.
[2] Quelch, D. et al. (June 2019). Elective alcohol detoxification – a resource and efficacy evaluation. Future Healthcare Journal.
[3] Timko, C. et al. (May 2015). Patient and Program Factors that Bridge the Detoxification-Treatment Gap: A Structured Evidence Review. Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment.
[4] Beaulieu, M. et al. (September 2021). A systematic review and meta-analysis of the efficacy of the long-term treatment and support of substance use disorders. Social Science & Medicine.
