What’s The Difference Between Withdrawal And Detox?

Though they often occur simultaneously, going through detox and experiencing withdrawal symptoms are not the same thing. Detox is a process of cleansing, while withdrawal syndrome is a diagnosis given in the presence of particular symptoms.

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How Detox And Withdrawal Are Different

Detoxification and withdrawal are different processes that occur at the same time. Detox is the process in which the body cleanses itself from the presence of drugs or alcohol. Withdrawal syndrome is the diagnosis given when a person experiences a certain cluster of symptoms after abruptly reducing or stopping the use of a substance.

Difference Between The Withdrawal And Detox Processes

Detox and withdrawal may occur simultaneously, but the body works in different ways to make them happen. Depending on the type of substance or toxin being detoxed, detoxification is enacted by various organs. The liver, kidneys, lungs, and even the skin all contribute to cleansing the body from different toxins.

Withdrawal symptoms are caused by the organs of the body that were previously affected by substance use. Any parts of the brain or body previously influenced by a person’s drug of choice could react and cause symptoms.

What Is Withdrawal?

Withdrawal and its symptoms are a reaction to the brain and body readjusting to being able to function without the presence of substances.

Many drugs, such as heroin, produce changes in the physical structure and physiology of the brain with long-term use. These changes require healing for a person to function normally without heroin or their drug of choice. Physical dependence, or a need to have the substance in the body, is a common adaptation to chronic use. So, when the drug is removed, a person’s body reacts negatively. These adverse reactions constitute withdrawal symptoms.

What Is Detox?

A person’s body is always trying to detoxify, or cleanse, itself from unhealthy substances or toxins. Detox is clinically related to substance use disorders, but it can also apply to a “cleanse” from sugar, milk products, toxins from beauty products, etc. When a person stops being exposed to the substance, the body can progress in cleansing itself.

Some people may try to “speed up” the detox process by drinking more water or liquids, using herbal remedies, or using a sauna to sweat out the toxins. However, the speed at which a person will detox depends on personal factors, such as the type and amount of substance that was taken, how long it had been taken for, and how well their organs of detox are functioning.

Medically Supervised Detox

Medically supervised detox consists of interventions aimed at managing withdrawal and intoxication symptoms. This allows a person to detox and go through any withdrawal symptoms in a facility with support and supervision from addiction treatment professionals. These programs can provide treatment medications, therapy, and proper nutrition for a person during detox.

Depending on the substance a person is detoxing from, certain medications may directly combat withdrawal symptoms. For example, withdrawal symptoms such as nausea and mood changes may be helped with medication that address the symptoms as they occur.

Going through a medically supervised detox program can help you through detox and withdrawal and provide the resources to help you smoothly transition into ongoing addiction treatment.

Medical detox is the first step on the road to recovery, but it is not addiction treatment. For long-term healing and sustainable recovery, a person with a substance use disorder needs to engage with an addiction treatment program to begin healing.

Detox Symptoms Vs. Withdrawal Symptoms

People sometimes refer to withdrawal symptoms as detox symptoms, but detox does not often cause noticeable symptoms. Because detox is simply the body’s way of cleansing itself using its normal processes, there are no “symptoms” of detox. By merely breathing, sweating, defecating, and urinating, a person is going through a form of detox.

Withdrawal Symptoms

Withdrawal symptoms can be extremely uncomfortable and cause great hindrance to a person’s everyday routine. Sometimes, they can even be life-threatening.

Symptoms of withdrawal can vary significantly depending on the substance a person is withdrawing from. Examples of withdrawal symptoms from various substances include:

Life-threatening withdrawal symptoms are known to occur during detox from alcohol and benzodiazepines. However, severe depression, psychosis, or other symptoms from other withdrawal syndromes may cause a person to act in abnormal ways that could increase their risk of being in life-threatening situations.

Can You Detox At Home?

Though a person may choose to detox at home, it can be dangerous. A person cannot control whether or not they experience withdrawal symptoms alongside detox. Going through withdrawal at home, especially without support, can be extremely uncomfortable and dangerous.

Safety and long-term success in addiction recovery are usually best achieved through supervised detox and enrollment in an addiction treatment program. Additionally, a person who relapses after detox has a greater risk of overdose. Many overdoses occur shortly after completing detox.

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Finding A Detox Center

If you or a loved one are struggling with substance misuse or addiction, medical detox programs are available to help you get started on your recovery journey. Going through withdrawal may appear daunting, but it is the first step toward sobriety.

Contact a treatment provider today to discuss your rehab options and find a center that offers medical detox. From there, addiction treatment and a healthy future await.

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