Drug detox

Written by:

Nicki Hari

Medically Reviewed by:

Dr Mateen Durrani – MBBS, DPM, MSc, BCPsych

Last Updated:

November 28th, 2023

If you want to escape the clutches of drug addiction, then undergoing a drug detox is fundamental. You may associate detox treatment with a run-of-the-mill cleanse. However, drug detox isn’t like going on a health kick, and it can be a highly uncomfortable experience as your body adapts to internal changes. Nevertheless, drug detox can be like ripping a plaster off a wound; it may hurt initially but it is necessary to heal from drug dependency and live a healthier life.

Sanctuary Lodge understands people may have apprehensions and concerns around attending a drug detox clinic, therefore this page will take you through what a general drug detox entails, the kinds of withdrawal symptoms you can expect, and how best to undergo a drug withdrawal effectively.

What is drug detox?

A drug detox essentially means to stop using a drug that your body has become used to. However, because your body has become accustomed to hosting the drug in its system over a particular time, it will get a shock when it is suddenly removed. This is due to a medical process referred to as homeostasis. The disruption to homeostasis causes your body’s chemicals to go temporarily off-balance, which results in unpleasant physical and emotional side effects. Although this seems extreme, take comfort in knowing drug withdrawal symptoms are temporary. Furthermore, when a drug detox is done under the guidance of medical experts, the process is smoother and as comfortable as possible.

What are drug withdrawal symptoms?

Drug withdrawal symptoms are likely to consist of a combination of physical and psychological symptoms, which can range from mildly uncomfortable to severe, depending on several factors such as:

• The type of drug you are dependent on
• The length of time you’ve been reliant on the drug
• Any other health issues you are experiencing
• Your age
• Your sex
• Your weight
• Whether or not you’re detoxing from multiple drugs, as well as alcohol

With this in mind, it’s impossible to predict what type of withdrawal symptoms each person will experience. However, we can give a general guide drawing from the common symptoms clients experience when undergoing a drug detox:

• Fatigue
• Nausea
• Flu-like symptoms
• Sickness and diarrhoea
• Shivers, chills, shakes
• Strong cravings
• Irritability
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Aches and pains
• Stomach cramps
• Insomnia

Can I undergo a drug detox at home?

Initially, detoxing at home may seem like a good option, as many people want to feel comfortable when they experience withdrawal symptoms. However, a home detox for drugs is not recommended.

This is because you will likely endure a few days of intense cravings, or your withdrawal symptoms can be so overpowering that you may relapse, which could set you back further on your recovery. This is not because you are “weak”- relapsing can happen to even the most strong-willed of us, but drug withdrawal can take a toll on your physical and mental health. For example, you could be enduring flu-like symptoms, aches and pains, plus a surplus of negative and self-deprecating thoughts that may discourage you from continuing with recovery. In other words, drug detox is likely to make you feel physically, mentally, and emotionally tired and susceptible to abandoning your drug detox entirely.

If you are still determined to detox at home, please ensure you speak with your GP first. They can give you any medication and guidance they need, which could save your life. The second thing to ensure is that you have support around you. Never detox alone. Choose a trusted person to be by your side, ensuring they are prepared for it as well- you are likely to feel irritable, so to avoid stress and arguments, you will want them to understand this is a symptom.

What happens at our drug detox clinic?

Physical support

In our clinic, clients will be assessed by a doctor and then (if necessary) will be given medications to help ease the withdrawal process. Moreover, professional healthcare workers will monitor you, ensuring your safety is a priority.

Emotional support

Our highly trained therapists understand the toll detoxing can take on your well-being. Therefore, they will be able to give you psychological support and encouragement throughout the process.

Safe and comfortable lodgings

Tiredness and fatigue are major drug withdrawal symptoms, so resting is essential to getting through it. You will be given a comfortable bedroom and will be provided with wholesome and nutritious meals (prepared by our private chef) to keep your strength up. Moreover, you can seek fresh air in our spacious garden, and you will have the opportunity to go for walks to help clear your mind.

The opportunity to attend therapy treatments

The drug detox process is the first and most crucial stage because it is impossible to address any other issues until the body is free of all traces of the drug you depend on. Whilst detoxing from drugs, the body and mind will gradually restore to better health. This is where you will be offered additional therapy treatments at our drug rehab if you wish to take them. We highly recommend this because physically detoxing from drugs is not always enough to prevent future relapse. To recover fully, we need to address any underlying thought processes that contribute to drug reliance.

Sanctuary Lodge: What type of drug detox do we offer?

We offer numerous forms of drug detox, including, but not limited to:

A drug detoxification process varies from person to person; some people may experience mild to moderate symptoms, whilst others may undergo more severe side effects. This depends on the type of drug you’re detoxing from, the duration of your drug use and your current health condition. Rest assured that our healthcare workers will ensure you get the best care and support tailored to your circumstances.

Let’s get the process started today

If you are ready to cleanse your body of drugs, Sanctuary Lodge can give you round the clock care and attention from a team of highly experienced professionals. To learn more about each of our drug detox programmes and how Sanctuary Lodge can help you to relinquish drug dependency for good, contact a member of our team today. They’ll provide you with all the necessary information you need to take the first steps towards freedom.

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