What to Expect After Detox

Once you’ve acknowledged your addiction and decided to quit, you’ll realize how hard it is to break an addiction. However, getting clean is a worthwhile decision — the beginning of the journey to recovery and a healthier life.

What Is Detoxification?

Before recovery can begin, the physical aspects of the addiction must be broken through detoxification. Detox is the process of purging the body of all traces of drugs, alcohol, or other toxic substances. However, it is more than just “cleansing” your system. It also deals with the physical and mental effects as your body readjusts to the absence of drugs or alcohol. These are withdrawal symptoms.

Common Withdrawal Symptoms

Detox is different for everyone and depends on the substance, the length of use, general physical condition, age, body weight, etc. Typical withdrawal symptoms usually include:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Anxiety
• Sleep problems
• Head and body aches
• Fever
• Sweating
• Shaking/tremors
• Changes in mood and appetite
• Hallucinations
• Intense cravings

While these are not lethal on their own, they can be dangerous depending on underlying health issues.

What Happens After Detox?

Once you’ve completed detox, you’ll transition to rehabilitation and participate in therapy and aftercare support, improving your physical, mental, and emotional health.

Rehabilitation. After undergoing substance use detoxification, the journey toward recovery typically continues with rehabilitation. Rehabilitation aims to address the underlying causes of substance abuse, develop coping strategies, and promote a healthy, drug-free lifestyle. Here are some key aspects of rehabilitation after detox:

• A Comprehensive Assessment. During rehabilitation, a comprehensive assessment is conducted to identify specific challenges, strengths, and goals. Recovery experts will create a personalized treatment plan based on this assessment.
• Behavioral Therapy. Rehabilitation involves a range of therapeutic interventions to help individuals overcome addiction and maintain sobriety. These may include individual counseling, group therapy, family therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and motivational interviewing. Therapists and counselors work closely with you to address psychological, emotional, and behavioral issues related to substance abuse.
• Skill-Building and Education. Rehab programs also provide you with the skills needed to maintain long-term sobriety. These may include stress management techniques, relapse prevention strategies, communication skills, problem-solving abilities, and healthy coping mechanisms. Learning about addiction, its effects on the body and mind, and its impact on relationships can also help you better understand your condition and the importance of recovery.
• Dual Diagnosis Treatment (if needed). Many individuals struggling with substance abuse also have co-occurring mental health disorders, such as depression, anxiety, or bipolar disorder. Effective rehabilitation programs address these dual diagnoses simultaneously, recognizing the interplay between substance abuse and mental health. Integrated treatment approaches ensure that both conditions are treated comprehensively to improve your well-being.
• Aftercare. Transitioning back to daily life after completing a rehabilitation program can be challenging. To promote a successful transition, aftercare planning is crucial. This may involve developing a relapse prevention plan, connecting individuals with ongoing support groups or counseling services, arranging for continued therapy, and identifying community resources that can aid in maintaining sobriety.

Rehabilitation is a vital step in recovery that can provide you with the tools, support, and strategies necessary to sustain long-term abstinence from substances.

Improved Physical, Emotional & Mental Health

Once you complete detox, many aspects of your physical health will improve. Most addictive substances are toxic in some way, so your body’s healing process takes over once they are gone.

Some positive changes you should see relatively quickly are improved organ function, particularly of the liver and kidneys. As you heal, you should also begin to notice:

• Increased energy levels
• Stabilization and normalization of your weight (some drugs suppress appetite while others increase it)
• Increased circulation
• Improved skin condition

Detox will also improve your emotional and mental health. As your brain chemistry returns to normal, you should see improvement in your mood and overall emotional state. You should also feel increased mental clarity and improved focus, reduced stress and anxiety levels, and you will almost certainly find you are sleeping better.

Continued Challenges & Cravings

Almost everyone who has completed detox will, at some point, experience cravings or be tempted to relapse. Depending on the substance, you may also feel a brief return of uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms or experience periods of depression or anxiety. This is why continuing treatment after detox is so necessary.

After Detox, Commit To Sobriety

Detox and recovery are not “one-and-done” events. Maintaining sobriety is a lifelong commitment, as substance use must be managed like any other chronic health condition.

You can help stay on track by taking a few simple steps.

• Maintain a healthy and nutritious diet, focusing on whole foods and avoiding toxins and pesticides.
• Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated and help your kidneys.
• Get plenty of exercise. Regular physical activity will help you regain control of your weight and boost your immune system. It also improves mental health by lifting mood and releasing endorphins and can be a much-needed mental break, particularly if you exercise with a friend or a group.
• Find enjoyable things to do or fun places to go. Get back into your old hobbies or find new ones.
• Build or rebuild a strong support network. Reconnect with supportive friends, reach out to family, and keep up with your support group meetings.
• Practice stress management techniques to help deal with negative emotions — meditation, deep breathing exercises, mindfulness, or yoga.
• Don’t be afraid to ask for help, whether you talk to a friend, recovery team, or doctor. You don’t have to deal with things alone.

Maintaining your “post-detox lifestyle” and practicing the habits and coping skills you learned in recovery will help you stay strong enough to deal with the life stresses that may trigger the urge to use. It will also improve overall health and well-being, enhance self-esteem and self-confidence, and positively impact your personal and professional relationships.

Always remember that there is no shame in asking for help when dealing with life’s curve balls. Your personal support network, doctor, and recovery team will always be there to lend a hand.

Why Choose Midwest Recovery

At Midwest Recovery Centers, we understand that there are many faces of addiction.

We believe in making real change by connecting people affected by addiction with opportunities to get sober and empowering them to change their lives. We treat the whole person, not just the addiction. We treat your physical and mental well-being and can help you handle legal and financial roadblocks, help your family recover, and support you as you rebuild your social and work lives.

Many of our team members have walked the path that you are starting and will be with you every step of the way. Contact us today to learn more about our detoxification and addiction treatment program.

Reviewed and Assessed by
Taylor Brown, B.A.Com., CADC
Tim Coleman, M. of Ed.