Why Would I Need to Attend a Drug Detox Center?

Making a choice to separate or wean off a particularly harmful substance in your life is brave and empowering. Whether it’s alcohol, opiates, Xanax, or any other substance whose cons outweigh the benefits, this choice is the first in many vital steps to achieving freedom.

But this choice isn’t the only choice we have to make. Most – if not all – substances will require drug detoxification, a period of monitoring due to medical and emotional risks associated with detoxification withdrawal from substance abuse, and drug addiction. Drug detox is a treatment program designed to get someone off drugs or alcohol safely.

What is a detox?

A detoxification treatment facility, or detox, is paramount to the recovery process. It allows you the space, time, and assistance necessary to detoxify your body of substances, go through withdrawal safely, and further your journey forward.

In addition, you will have trained professionals who can handle the withdrawal effects of benzodiazepines, opiates, or alcohol; and help you through the process.

You can find local treatment in New Jersey or around Philadelphia in Cherry Hill. Make sure whatever facility you go to is licensed and accredited. It is important to find somewhere that treats you right and fits your needs.

Differences in Drug Withdrawals

Each substance is different in the way its withdrawal symptoms manifest. For some, a medically monitored detox facility is absolutely necessary.

For others, detox provides emotional support and medication management through uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms that make it harder to sustain sobriety.

Alcohol and benzodiazepines (Xanax, for example) withdrawal symptoms are life-threatening. Taking yourself off these substances cold turkey can result in death.

Alcohol

Alcohol has a range of withdrawal symptoms that occur over a 6 to 72-hour period. Early in the withdrawal process, you may experience symptoms including anxiety, insomnia, sweating, vomiting, nausea, and shaky hands.

As the withdrawal process progresses, more severe problems can occur. For example, your hands start shaking early in the withdrawal process because of a condition called Delirium tremens, or DTs. The DTs can produce life-threatening seizures, delusions, and hallucinations.

Of course, these withdrawal symptoms are the result of heavy alcohol dependency. However, it is recommended to have a consultation with a medical provider in a detox treatment center – this is the best way to determine what’s in store for your specific withdrawal symptoms.

Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines, or benzos, are another substance that absolutely requires medically monitored detox. These include diazepam (Valium), lorazepam (Ativan), alprazolam (Xanax), clonazepam (Klonopin), and zolpidem (Ambien).

The symptoms that the benzodiazepines were preventing will resurface and, in most cases, will be worse than before. Similar to alcohol, symptoms of cold turkey benzo withdrawal include anxiety, panic, insomnia, nausea/vomiting, and potentially life-threatening seizures.

Opiates

Opiates, on the other hand, have withdrawal symptoms that will feel highly uncomfortable but do not pose a life-threatening risk. These include prescription opioid medications, codeine, Dilaudid, Fentanyl, Hydrocodone (Vicodin), Methadone, Morphine, Heroin, and OxyCodone (OxyContin, Percocet, or Roxicet.)

These symptoms include agitation, anxiety, muscle aches, runny nose, sweating, abdominal cramping, nausea/vomiting, and diarrhea. Symptoms begin to start about twelve hours after last use. Depending on the type of opiate used, it can persist for up to seven days. Even though these symptoms are not life-threatening, they will be extremely uncomfortable and emotionally taxing.

Addiction is a crisis we are experiencing throughout southern New Jersey, Philadelphia, Voorhees, and the United States as a whole. For this reason, it’s recommended to attend a detox facility to increase your chances of maintaining sobriety and successfully completing detox.

Day to Day in Detox

Detox centers are made to address the genuine physical and emotional symptoms of withdrawal through a multifaceted and interdisciplinary approach to detox addiction treatment.

This can include but is not limited to addiction therapy, EMDR, mental health counseling, psychiatry, holistic care, Reiki, Eating Disorder Treatment, and other therapies and services. Typically, a stay in a detox program can last anywhere from one to two weeks, with a daily structure based on your individual treatment needs.

You can expect to complete an intake with the facility upon your initial arrival. You will be assessed by a trained clinician to determine your therapeutic needs and the severity of your substance use disorder.

Additionally, you will be screened and have a medical assessment to create a treatment plan and ensure your detox is monitored and treated in the most appropriate way.

Treatment at a Detox Center

Each person’s withdrawal symptoms are individualized to the substance they used, the amount used, and any underlying medical conditions which may complicate the detox process.

You can expect your medical assessment to determine the medication you will need to take throughout your detox stay. These medications are meant to help ease withdrawal symptoms, ensure adequate sleep, and help with any additional problems.

During your detox, you may experience various symptoms from suddenly stopping any drug, narcotic, or substance. These can include weight loss, anxiety, fatigue, sweating, vomiting, depression, seizures, and hallucinations. This is why you are constantly monitored by trained medical and addiction professionals.


Detoxification centers or drug rehabs offer 24/7 medically managed support. You will have a nurse who will monitor your vitals and symptoms. You will have a therapist to help you process the emotional toll of withdrawal.

Also, in most cases, additional support staff to aid in supporting you throughout the detox process. This may include outside support meetings, like 12 steps, or behavioral health technicians that can lend a helpful ear and help your voice be heard.

What happens after Detox?

Leaving detox and re-entering society just as you left it may be too much to handle. This is why success rates with long-term recovery improve the longer you attend treatment services.

Again, one of the bravest choices you can make in your recovery journey is taking that first step entering a detox, allowing yourself to be helped. Remember, we don’t recover alone, we recover in the community. So allow yourself to take this step, and see how your recovery unfolds in front of you.