What Are The Symptoms of Detoxing?

Intense drug cravings and other painful symptoms of detoxing can keep people trapped in the chains of active addiction. But when you get professional help at a reputable detox center, you can end your substance abuse and begin to build a foundation for successful, long-term recovery.

What is Detoxing?

When a person becomes addicted to alcohol or another drug, their body will adapt to the presence of the substance. When they suddenly stop using the substance – or when they are prevented from acquiring and using it – their body may respond with a range of distressing physical and/or psychological symptoms. This experience is often referred to as withdrawing or detoxing.  

While a person is detoxing, their body is ridding itself of the substance that the person had become addicted to. Once the drug has been eliminated from their system, the more intense symptoms of detoxing should begin to subside. However, some symptoms of detoxing can persist for weeks or even months.

Symptoms of Detoxing

The symptoms of detoxing can vary considerably from one drug to another. The nature and severity of detox symptoms can also be affected by how long the person has been addicted to the substance, how much of the substance they have been using, and if they have also developed addictions to any other substances.

Detoxing from Alcohol

Alcohol withdrawal can be extremely painful – and even dangerous. Symptoms of detoxing from alcohol can include:

• Powerful cravings for alcohol
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Agitation and irritability
• Excessive perspiration
• Nausea and vomiting
• Tics and tremors
• Extreme headaches
• Disrupted sleep patterns
• Loss of appetite

In severe cases, such as someone who has been drinking heavily for several years, the symptoms of detoxing from alcohol can include:

• Auditory or visual hallucinations (hearing or seeing things that aren’t real)
• Tactile hallucinations (feeling things that aren’t actually happening, such as having the sensation that bugs are crawling over or under your skin)
• Extreme confusion or disorientation
• Dangerously elevated heart rate
• Seizure

Detoxing from Heroin

Heroin is a highly addictive substance. People can become dependent on this drug after using it just a few times. When someone tries to end their heroin use, they can quickly develop a variety of extremely painful symptoms.

Possible symptoms of detoxing from heroin can include:

• Acute cravings for heroin
• Heavy sweating
• Watery eyes and runny nose
• Fever and chills
• Nausea
• Vomiting and diarrhea
• Muscle and bone pain
• Abdominal cramping
• Insomnia

Detoxing from Cocaine

Cocaine is a powerful stimulant. When someone who has become addicted to this drug tries to stop using it, they may develop the following symptoms of detoxing from cocaine: 

• Cravings for cocaine
• Agitation
• Depression
• Exhaustion
• Vivid nightmares
• Restlessness
• Paranoia

Detoxing from Meth

Like cocaine, methamphetamine (meth) is also a stimulant. Unlike cocaine, meth withdrawal includes several more intense physical symptoms, as well as emotional distress.

Symptoms of detoxing from meth can include:

• Strong cravings for meth
• Powerful headaches
• Muscle spasms
• Dehydration
• Heavy sweating
• Fever
• Tremors
• Nausea
• Persistent fatigue
• Difficulty sleeping
• Depression
• Paranoia
• Hallucinations
• Suicidal thoughts

Detoxing from Fentanyl

Fentanyl is an opioid, which is the same category that heroin belongs to. However, fentanyl is much more powerful than heroin. Several sources report that fentanyl is as much as 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine (another opioid that is used to treat pain).

Symptoms of detoxing from fentanyl are similar to what occurs during heroin withdrawal:

• Severe cravings for fentanyl
• Aching muscles and bones
• Abdominal pain
• Fever
• Chills
• Heavy perspiration
• Cramping
• Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea

Detoxing from Adderall

Adderall is a stimulant. This is the same category that cocaine and meth belong to. The symptoms of Adderall detox usually aren’t quite as severe what happens during withdrawal from these other stimulants, but the experience can still be quite uncomfortable.

Potential symptoms of detoxing from Adderall include:

• Exhaustion
• Depression
• Confusion
• Dramatic mood swings
• Irritability
• Stomach ache
• Nausea and vomiting
• Appetite changes
• Tics and twitches
• Vivid nightmares

 Detoxing from Marijuana

Contrary to a popular misconception, it is possible to become addicted to marijuana. When someone who has cannabis use disorder (which is the clinical term for this form of addiction) tries to stop using the drug, they may develop symptoms such as:

• Cravings for marijuana
• Irritability
• Mood swings
• Loss of appetite
• Headaches
• Nausea and vomiting
• Abdominal pain
• Heavy perspiration
• Insomnia

How Long Does Detoxing Take?

The detox timeline can vary considerably depending on which drug a person has become addicted to. 

For example, alcohol withdrawal symptoms can begin to develop within six hours of a person’s last drink. These symptoms may become more intense over the next few days, typically peaking after about 72 hours. Though the symptoms of detoxing from alcohol usually begin to subside on the fourth day, it can take several weeks before they have all dissipated.

In the case of heroin, fentanyl, and other opioids, symptoms usually begin within 12 hours of the person’s last dose, peak within two to three days, and subside within a week.

It is important to understand that all detox timelines are estimates. Some people get through the process more rapidly, while others take much longer than expected. The benefits of entering a reputable detox program include being under the care of professionals who understand how the experience can differ from one person to the next, and who are prepared to address any contingencies that may arise.

Safely Overcome the Symptoms of Detoxing at Los Angeles Detox

If you are worried about your ability to get through withdrawal, the LA Detox team is here for you. The skilled professionals at our center in Los Angeles, California, can help you complete detox safely and with minimal discomfort. With our assistance, you can take a significant step on the path toward improved health and long-term recovery from addiction. Contact us today to learn more.