DETOX CENTERS IN CHATTANOOGA

CHATTANOOGA DETOX CENTERS

Detox is critical for recovery from drug and alcohol addiction. After all, this is the first step in any addiction treatment plan. Therefore, it is crucial to find a facility that offers the comfort, expertise, and safety that all clients need to get through this stage. Our detox centers in Chattanooga, Tennessee offer the best services for detox for you or your loved one. At our detox center, you can be assured that your recovery will start off the right way.

What Happens During Drug and Alcohol Detox in Chattanooga?

During drug and alcohol detox, a person can safely go through the withdrawal phase of addiction recovery. Common withdrawal symptoms include things like nausea, diarrhea, headache, mental fog, anxiety, sleep issues, profuse sweating, tremors, and depression. Withdrawal symptoms can also range from mildly discomforting to severe and life-threatening. The severity of a person’s withdrawal symptoms depends on a few factors, such as:

 

  • The length of a person's addiction
  • How much of a substance a person consumes when using or drinking
  • Overall state of physical or mental health
  • Type of substance that a person uses
  • Addiction to more than one substance

 

The aim of detox is to get through the withdrawal phase in order to move on to continued treatment. Our detox centers in Chattanooga are an inpatient rehab level of care. This means that our clients reside within our facility throughout the duration of their detox. By residing in our facility, clients are safe from the temptation to relapse as they won’t have access to drugs or alcohol. They will also have 24/7 support from our medical staff for any physical symptoms of withdrawal. In addition, some clients can benefit from our medication-assisted treatment (MAT) program.

 

Throughout detox, clients also get support from their peers in recovery. Recovery from addiction can be somewhat alienating. Many people feel like their loved ones and family don’t understand what they are going through. That is why peer support is a cornerstone of recovery, and why we encourage our clients to support one another.

WHAT SUBSTANCES DO WE DETOX FROM?

Our detox center helps clients detox from many types of substances. Since many people use more than one substance, we offer detox from alcohol as well as both illegal and prescription drugs. While symptoms can vary from person to person, the goals of detox are the same no matter what substance a person uses. At our detox centers in Chattanooga, our focus is to help clients safely manage their withdrawal symptoms, begin the recovery process, reduce the risk of relapse, and provide support for the early stages of treatment.

Alcohol Detox + Withdrawal Timeline

Alcohol withdrawal symptoms are among the most intense and dangerous. For those with long-term alcohol addiction, severe withdrawal symptoms, known as “delirium tremens” can even be life-threatening. This is because alcohol dependence impacts so much about how a person’s mind and body function. Once a person stops drinking, their body and mind need time to adjust to this change. While each person will have their own symptoms and timeline, most people can expect the following during alcohol detox:

  • First four to 12 hours: Mild withdrawal symptoms appear during the first few hours after a person stops drinking. These symptoms could be similar to the discomfort a person experiences prior to their regular drinking times. For instance, if a person gets anxious and edgy by the end of the work day in anticipation of a visit to the bar, they could start to have similar feelings at this time.
  • 24 to 72 hours: Symptoms begin to worsen over the course of the first day and usually peak around the third day. These symptoms can include things like vomiting, appetite changes, irritability, anxiety, and depression.
  • Day three and four: If a person does have delirium tremens, they will have them by around the third day of detox. These symptoms could continue for a few days afterward. It is important for a person with severe withdrawal symptoms to have professionals monitor their symptoms.
  • However, not everyone will experience these symptoms. Most people will begin to feel their symptoms tapering off by the end of day four.
  • Five to seven days later: Most of the acute withdrawal symptoms will taper off after one week in detox. While some symptoms could linger, they will generally be rather mild. Often, any lingering symptoms are usually mental health symptoms, such as anxiety and depression. It should be noted, however, that some people continue to have symptoms for longer than a week, especially if they have a severe addiction to alcohol.

Ready to Escape Addiction? Let’s get started.

Chattanooga Detox Center is a premier leader in the provision of addiction treatment services. If you or someone you love is in need of professional care to address a substance use disorder, reach out to us right now at (423) 455-9887 to speak with an admissions specialist who can get you started on the road to recovery.
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OPIOID DETOX + WITHDRAWAL TIMELINE

Opioid withdrawal symptoms can also be dangerous. When a person stops taking opioids, they could get intense cravings for the drug. However, as their detox goes on, their tolerance for opioids diminishes. As a result, if the person does relapse a few days or weeks afterward, they are at a high risk of taking more drugs than they can handle, leading to an overdose.

Like alcohol, opioid withdrawal symptoms and timelines vary, though most people can expect the following:

  • Eight hours 24 hours: Withdrawal symptoms begin and often appear mild at first. A person might feel on edge or distressed. The timeline for symptoms beginning depends on how much and how often a person used opioids.
  • Days One to Three: Symptoms start to peak around this time. A person might struggle to sleep or feel a general sense of unease and restlessness. They could also have flu-like symptoms, such as fever, chills, and nausea. They could also have a racing heartbeat and high blood pressure at this time.
  • Days Four to Seven: Symptoms taper off following the peak intensity and usually last about seven days. Some people, however, could have intense symptoms for up to 10 days or more. Long-term withdrawal symptoms could depend upon a person’s physical health as well as the type of opioids that they use.

Benzo Detox + Withdrawal Timeline

Addiction to benzodiazepines (benzos) often begins with prescription medication for anxiety disorders. These drugs, like Ativan and Xanax, can cause a feeling of euphoria, and some people misuse their prescriptions to obtain these feelings. In addition, even a person who takes benzos as prescribed could develop a dependency and have withdrawal symptoms if they don’t gradually taper off their medications.

During withdrawal from benzos, most people can expect the following:

 

  • First 24 hours: Symptoms start about a day after stopping benzos. These symptoms are generally mild. There is some variation on when and how intense symptoms will be depending on the types of benzos a person takes. For instance, short-acting like Xanax could result in more intense symptoms that appear within six to 12 hours. On the other hand, long-acting benzos like Valium could lead to a less intense but longer withdrawal period.
  • Days one to four: Symptoms could continue for about four days, though some people could have them for longer. Most people will stop having symptoms about a week after benzo detox begins.
detox in chattanooga

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER DETOX IN CHATTANOOGA ENDS?

After detox, treatment for drug and alcohol addiction really begins. Detox is primarily setting the stage for further treatment. By safely managing withdrawal symptoms during detox, a person can then begin to examine the root causes of their addiction and build coping skills to prevent a relapse. Following detox, it is crucial to enter some type of aftercare program. 

 

For most people, it is best to continue in another form of inpatient care like residential or inpatient treatment. That way, they can continue to manage lingering withdrawal symptoms without access to drugs or alcohol. Residential care is also best for those who don’t have a safe and supportive home environment conducive to recovery. 

 

Some people might enter an outpatient treatment program following detox, however. Outpatient programs can also offer a high level of care and support, such as a partial hospitalization program (PHP) or intensive outpatient program (IOP). During outpatient care, it is critical that the person has a safe place for recovery. Some people live at home with supportive family members while others choose to stay in a sober living program.

Can I Detox at Home?

Detoxing alone at home is not recommended for anyone beginning their treatment for addiction. When a person detoxes at home, they still have access to drugs or alcohol. Even if they get rid of all substances in their home, they could be tempted to go out to obtain more when symptoms get intense. Many people tend to overindulge themselves if they quit cold turkey for a few days to make up for the lost time. This could lead to an accidental overdose or death.

 

In addition, if a person detoxes without medical support, they could be at high risk for physical health issues. Some people with severe symptoms could even be risking their own lives by detoxing at home. While a person might feel okay for a day or two after they quit using, withdrawal symptoms often intensify and could take a person by surprise. Therefore, we recommend that anyone who quits using drugs or alcohol attend a professional detox program.

Contact Our Detox Centers in Chattanooga Today

Detox is the first step in any addiction recovery program. Therefore, it is critical to find a supportive, safe, and comfortable detox facility with 24/7 support for medical and mental health concerns. Chattanooga Detox Center offers professional detox services for you or your loved one to begin recovery. Contact us today to learn more about detox and additional services.

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    About The Contributor

    Erika Dalton, LMSW
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    Erika Dalton, LMSW

    is the Community Content Editor at Chattanooga Detox Center.

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