Drug detoxification is a process that starts the moment a person quits taking a drug they are addicted to or have a dependency. Once a person stops taking the addicting drug, withdrawal symptoms will be present. Some withdrawal symptoms can be life threatening whereas others are just discomforting. The severity of the withdrawal symptoms is based on certain factors such as the type of substance, the dosage, the frequency taking, the duration of use, a persons mental state, a person physical state, and a persons emotional health.

Drug detoxification is ridding the body of toxins in the body. What are toxins? Toxins are anything at all that hinders the normal body functions or causes blockage. Blockages can occur when certain organs of the body such as the liver or circulatory system work too hard. The result is toxins.

Drug detoxification is the act or process of the body to rid itself of the toxins. It can take a few hours up to several months for all the toxins to leave the body according to the drug that abused.

In some drug detoxification cases, medications are given to help with the withdrawal symptoms. In most cases for those addicted to opiates, benzodiazepines, alcohol, and barbiturates, medications are used for drug detoxification. The withdrawal symptoms associate with these drugs can be fatal and the detox period should be supervised by a medical professional.

Drug detoxification is only short term, meaning that it only helps with the physical addiction and not the emotional, psychological, behavioral, or social problems that are also present with addiction.

For those that are going through drug detoxification even with the help of a professional may wish to use some home remedies to help ease the pain. Some of the remedies that have helped a few individuals through drug detoxification include soaking in a hot bath, drinking plenty of water, drinking cranberry juice, reducing the amount of caffeine ingested, and exercise. During the drug detoxification process the body is depleted of potassium, eating items high in potassium can also help such as bananas.

Withdrawal symptoms you can expect with drug detoxification vary according to the drug. As an example if you are addicted to cocaine you can expect withdrawal symptoms during the first stage to include sleepiness, increased appetite, less energy, abdominal pain, tremors, sore muscles, depression, and irritability. The second stage of drug detoxification associated with cocaine includes depression, anhedonia, hunger for the drug, less energy, and cocaine dreams. Some individuals experience these withdrawal symptoms for years after using cocaine.

Alcohol is another drug that also causes addicts to suffer withdrawal during drug detoxification. The withdrawal symptoms associated with alcohol include insomnia, fast heart rate, sweating, spasms, tingling in the arms or legs, nausea, vomiting, ringing in the ears, itching, and dry mouth.

Any person that is ready to live a drug free life should discuss the situation with their doctor to learn the best drug detoxification center for their situation.