Detox, or detoxification, describes the process of abstaining from or eliminating toxic substances from the body. These substances often include alcohol, opiates (common opioids are heroin and prescription pain medications), and tranquilizers/ benzodiazepines (Xanax, Klonopin, Valium, Ativan, and Librium) because the body becomes dependent on these substances to function normally after prolonged or excessive use. Often times, severe detox symptoms can occur, which can be dangerous and even life-threatening.
Severe detox symptoms of alcohol withdrawal can appear within hours of the last drink. The symptoms may emerge sooner if drinking higher quantities more frequently and later if drinking lesser quantities and less often.
How do I know if I am suffering from severe detox symptoms from alcohol?
- Am I feeling shaky or experiencing tremors?
- Have I had convulsions and or seizures?
- Do I have chills?
- Am I feeling sweaty and clammy?
- Is my skin pale?
- Am I feeling stressed, very angry and volatile, depressed, anxious, and/ or confused?
- Am I fatigued and lethargic?
- Am I having mood swings or feeling dissociated (depersonalization)?
- Have I been seeing or hearing things that aren’t there (psychosis)?
- Do I have a persistent or reoccurring headache?
- Am I unable to eat because I have no appetite?
- Am I nauseated or vomiting?
- Am I restless?
- Am I having trouble sleeping?
- Have I had an increase in blood pressure or rapid heart-rate?
- Are my pupils dilated?
- Am I sensitive to light?
How do I know if I am suffering from severe detox symptoms from opiate withdrawal?
- Am I agitated?
- Do I feel anxious?
- Am I nauseated, vomiting, and/or diarrhea?
- Am I sweating a lot?
- Am I having extreme abdominal cramps?
- Am I feeling excessive bone and joint pain?
- Are my pupils dilated?
How do I know if I am suffering from severe detox symptoms from tranquilizer/benzodiazepine withdrawal?
- Do I have flu-like symptoms including muscle weakness or muscle pain?
- Do I feel shaky or have tremors?
- Am I sweating excessively?
- Am I having trouble sleeping?
- Do I feel depressed and/or anxious?
- Am I having stomach pain or cramping?
- Is my vision blurred, are my eyes dry or sore, or am I seeing spots?
- Am I having headaches?
- Am I experiencing increased sensitivity to light, smells, and sounds?
- Do I feel unsteady or dizzy?
- Am I feeling dissociated (depersonalization)?
If I am experiencing some or many of the symptoms listed above, what do I do?
Severe detox symptoms should be controlled and monitored by a professional. Severe detox symptoms can be critical and even fatal. It is important to seek help immediately. It is best to go through detox at a drug addiction treatment center, where medical professionals can monitor the detox in a safe and supervised environment.
I am having too much energy or bad detox symptoms and its causing me to feel extremely warm, I feel flushed, my anxiety is bad, I feel like im on edge, I feel drained, exhausted and feel off. I also have a tightness in my chest and redness on my skin and I take medication for anxiety but how can I get rid of some of the feelings im having? I didn’t drink enough water after healing sessions
Hi Lacey,
please consult your doctor about these symptoms so they can advise on medication that can help. If you are detoxing on your own, you should contact a medical professional or go to your local emergency department.