A quick browse online will reveal a number of products, people and services that claim to speed up a detox and help individuals get on the road to recovery in less time. Unfortunately, to detox fast will often mean to not detox properly. The process of detoxification is one that takes time, and following the right steps is crucial. Take a closer look at what it takes to detox and why that can’t be rushed.
Understanding the Detox Timeline
The timeline for a detox will depend on a number of important factors. These might include the severity of the addiction, how long patients have been using drugs or alcohol and how large the dosage is on a consistent basis. Age, health and even gender may also come into play.
Ultimately, however, the detox timeline is roughly the same across the board. In as few as six hours after the most recent use of drugs or alcohol, withdrawal symptoms can begin to kick in. These symptoms can pick up speed, but they tend to peak and then taper off after 72 hours. Most physical symptoms will be gone approximately one week to 10 days into detox.
What You Might Miss if You Try to Detox Fast
Trying to detox fast, and bypass the traditional timeline, isn’t an effective plan. The body is entirely capable of handling detox without the aid of pills, potions or other tactics that some patients claim can speed up the process. These attempts at completing detox faster can sometimes make withdrawal symptoms worse, but they rarely get patients through detox in less time.
More importantly, attempts at trying to speed up detox mean that patients may miss out on the gradual reawakening of the body and the mind. As detox progresses, cognitive function returns in full force, and sensations, feelings and emotions integral to recovery come to the surface. True detox, and eventual recovery, takes time, so rushing through them won’t necessarily help on the path to lasting sobriety.
When Weaning and Synthetic Drugs May be Necessary
Another downside to trying to detox fast is that patients may not follow the proper protocol for replacement drugs or weaning. In detox, and particularly with opiates, weaning patients off of synthetic drugs may be the best way to prevent a terrible withdrawal process. This process, in order to be truly effective, can take several days to complete. For severe addictions, weaning may offer lasting results, while a cold turkey approach might be faster but leave patients with the higher risk of relapsing in the future.
Attempting to detox fast can be tempting, but lasting results take time. Contact Serenity House Detox & Recovery at 866-294-5306 for more on the proper steps of detox and how to begin on the road to recovery today.
