A medical intervention designed to assist with withdrawal from the physiological and psychological effects of alcohol and drugs. Withdrawal treatment can be performed in an inpatient, residential, or ambulatory setting and provides medically safe, professional, and supportive care, while also preparing and motivating individuals to continue treatment in an outpatient setting (Stein et al., 2017).

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Alcohol Withdrawal

If an individual enters a detox program or hospital, the doctor or mental health professional will likely evaluate the severity of your alcohol withdrawal symptoms, which can be categorized into 3 stages:

 

Stage 1 (mild): Mild symptoms, such as headache, tremors, anxiety, and insomnia.

Stage 2 (moderate): Mild symptoms plus rapid breathing, rapid pulse, profound sweating, fever, and confusion.

Stage 3 (severe): Moderate symptoms plus impaired attention, disorientation, auditory or visual hallucinations, and seizures.

 

Without appropriate treatment, an individual can progress from the first stage to the second and third rather quickly, which is why alcohol detox is needs to be medically supervised. Withdrawing from alcohol can be uncomfortable and, in certain cases, cause serious health risks (Sclar & Thomas, 2019). 

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Opiate Withdrawal

Opiate withdrawal symptoms may range from mild to severe, depending on the level of dependency. Withdrawal from an opioid drug may roughly adhere to the following timeline, although it can vary from person to person.

 

Early Withdrawal Symptoms

Normally start within 6-12 hours for short-acting opiates, and within 30 hours for longer-acting opiates:

• Anxiety and agitation

• Excessive yawning and sweating

• Fever

• Heart racing

• Hypertension

• Muscle aches

• Nose Running

• Tearing up

• Trouble falling and staying asleep

 

Late Withdrawal Symptoms

Generally peak within 72 hours and usually last approximately one week:

• Depression

• Diarrhea

• Drug cravings

• Goosebumps

• Nausea and vomiting

• Stomach cramps 

 

There are several detox options which include pharmacological and psychological treatment under the supervision of both medical and mental health professionals. Detox can be performed in outpatient, hospital or residential setting, but is only the first step. Relapse is a very real possibility unless armed with the tools to stay on the path of recovery. Motivational Interviewing is an excellent therapy modality to explore once detox is completed (Lautieri, n.d.).