When drugs and alcohol have taken over a person’s life, they feel overwhelmed and unsure of where to turn for help. Southern California has long been at the forefront of cutting-edge detox and rehab services in the country. Anyone ready to commit to living a sober life can find the right program for detox in Los Angeles.
What Medications Are Used to Detox?
Detox in Los Angeles may include using medications to help alleviate withdrawal symptoms. This process is called medication-assisted treatment (MAT) and includes medications in conjunction with counseling and behavioral therapies. MAT is used primarily to treat addiction to opioids and alcohol.
All medications are FDA-approved and proven to be useful to individuals who can benefit from help during the withdrawal process and beyond completion of detox. The medications commonly used as part of MAT treatment for opioid addiction include:
Buprenorphine
Buprenorphine reduces withdrawal symptoms and cravings in a person.
Methadone
Methadone blocks the effects of opioids, reduces cravings for them, and eases withdrawal symptoms.
Naltrexone
Naltrexone blocks the effects of opioids and reduces cravings for them. The medications commonly used as part of MAT treatment for alcohol addiction include:
Acamprosate
Acamprosate reduces the craving for alcohol.
Disulfiram
Disulfiram causes unpleasant side effects, including vomiting, headache, and dizziness, to happen if a person consumes alcohol, making them less likely to drink.
Naltrexone
Naltrexone blocks the effects of alcohol and reduces cravings for it.
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How Long Does Drug and Alcohol Withdrawal Last?
If you’re recovering from a drug or alcohol addiction, you might be wondering how long it will take you to fully detox and start the healing process. Withdrawal timelines vary based on the type of drug, how long you’ve been using them, and how much you usually take at a given time. Certain substances take longer to leave the body, while others get released more quickly. Here’s a look at the estimated withdrawal timelines for some commonly used drugs.
Alcohol Withdrawal Timeline
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Hours after the last does
Withdrawal symptoms can start several hours after the last dose is taken, and often include anxiety and trouble sleeping.
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Day 1-2:
Withdrawal symptoms typically begin within six to twelve hours after a person last consumes alcohol. They may include stomach aches, nausea, headaches, and anxiety. Depending on the severity of the addiction, some people experience hallucinations and seizures. If they develop delirium tremens, it can result in respiratory arrest, aspiration pneumonitis, and other conditions that require immediate medical attention.
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Day 3-5:
Many people experience sweating, fever, rapid heart rate, and mental confusion. Symptoms typically reach their peak during this time period and begin to dissipate around the fifth day.
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Day 6+:
Some symptoms continue to a lesser degree, and psychological symptoms such as depression and moodiness are more prevalent.
Benzodiazepine Withdrawal Timeline
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Hours after the last does
Withdrawal symptoms can start several hours after the last dose is taken, and often include anxiety and trouble sleeping.
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Day 1-4:
Many people who use the drug for anxiety or depression will experience rebound effects, meaning their condition will get worse when they stop taking it. Other side effects during this time include rapid heartbeat, sweating, and nausea.
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Day 5-14:
Most people will experience heightened depression, anxiety and insomnia for up to two weeks after they begin detoxing.
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Day 15+:
At this point, most symptoms will have disappeared. However, people who suffered from prolonged addictions may experience a random period of withdrawal symptoms for several months after their last dose.
Opioid Withdrawal Timeline
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Day 1:
Most people start experiencing the withdrawal symptoms of opioids about 6-24 hours after their last dose. The initial side effects include muscle aches, difficulty sleeping, restlessness, anxiety, sweating, runny nose, and high blood pressure.
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Day 2-4:
This is the period when symptoms are the most intense. Many people will experience nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pains, and depression. Intense opioid cravings typically set in within a few days after the last dose is taken.
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Day 5-8:
By this point, most physical side effects will begin to subside, although the mental symptoms can linger for several weeks. Depending on the severity of the addiction, some people will continue experiencing cravings.
Heroin Withdrawal Timeline
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Day 1-3:
Withdrawal symptoms typically start within six to twelve hours of the last dosage. Typical symptoms include muscles aches, shaking, anxiety, vomiting, diarrhea, insomnia, and drug cravings.
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Day 4-7:
The initial symptoms will become less intense and end after about one week.
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Day 8+:
Most physical withdrawal symptoms subside by this time but psychological ones such as depression and anxiety often continue.
Marijuana Withdrawal Timeline
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Day 1:
During the first 24 hours of withdrawal, many people will experience irritability, difficulty sleeping, decreased appetite, restlessness, and cravings for the drug.
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Day 2-7:
Over the next several days, some people will experience mental side effects, like anxiety, mild depression, and lack of motivation.
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Day 8+:
After the first week of withdrawal, most side effects should subside, although cravings may continue to pop up.
Crack/Cocaine Withdrawal Timeline
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Day 1-3:
Withdrawal symptoms can begin within the first few hours after the last dosage. Many people experience lethargy, irritability, depression, shaking, and heart complications such as arrhythmia.
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Day 4-10:
Many people experience dehydration, insomnia, restlessness, nightmares, and drug cravings.
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Day 11+:
For some people, their withdrawal symptoms continue longer than 10 days but should end after four weeks.
Adderall Withdrawal Timeline
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Day 1-3:
Symptoms typically start within several hours of the last dosage. Many people experience feeling exhausted, difficulty concentrating, hunger, and depression.
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Day 4-7:
Symptoms usually peak during this time and may include anxiety, body aches, insomnia, irritability, and nightmares.
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Day 8+:
At this point, the main symptoms tend to be psychological, including depression, as well as cravings for the drug.
Detox in Los Angeles
At Launch Centers in Los Angeles, we are committed to working with young people who suffer from addiction and helping them recover. If you need detox before entering our treatment, we can help you find a program that allows you to detox safely and comfortably, which puts you on the right path to begin a new life in recovery. Contact Launch Centers today and start living the successful, fulfilling life you deserve.
