Drug Detox Tricks

Removing drugs from your system---getting clean---is an incredible fight for anyone addicted to drugs. In almost every case, detoxing from a drug requires the aid of family, friends and doctors, and can take weeks, months and even years. The ultimate goal for any drug addict is to become healthy both mentally and physically, and gain independence from the drug. While it is never easy, there are some steps you can take to lessen the withdrawal symptoms and stay focused on getting clean.

Types

• Any planned drug detox should be discussed with a doctor. There are two or three ways you can approach getting clean of your drug habit, and you need to understand the limits to each approach, especially when it comes to opiates.
  Quitting cold turkey is one option, but often a rather painful and dangerous one. If your body is used to a high amount of drugs--for example, 80 mg of methadone per day--then quitting cold turkey may actually kill you as your pain receptors become fully open at once. However, it may be possible to quit smoking cigarettes, doing cocaine or even smoking marijuana cold turkey.
  Drug maintenance programs focus on maintaining current dosages so that the drug addict can level out and be a productive member of society. Drug maintenance centers or drug rehab centers are prepared to help find the right dosages---in a safe environment---so the drug addict can begin to think about complete detox.
  There is also ultra rapid detox which is used with opiate addicts. This method requires you to be put under with anesthetics while all of the toxins and drugs are flushed from your system at one time. There are very few withdrawal symptoms and all that it left is the mental part of the addiction. Unfortunately, this has not been approved by the FDA in the United States, so a drug maintenance program is likely the first method any addict should try.

Detox Tricks

• Be thorough about your doctor appointments throughout your drug maintenance program. If you are in no shape to do this, have a family member or friend assist in getting you to your appointments. This is important so that your progress can be measured.
  Eliminate the option of finding drugs on the street. While this is easier said than done, this option has to be taken away so that there is a better chance of recovery while under observation from doctors and family members.
  If you are forced to do much of the detox at home, focus on getting as much sleep as possible. This can seem impossible while going through withdrawals, so it may be helpful to walk or do some mild exercise to wear yourself out.
  When you wake up each morning, take 1,000 mg of acetaminophen (such as Tylenol) and follow that up---in around five hours---with 800 mg of ibuprofen (such as Advil). In another five hours, follow up with another 1,000mg of acetaminophen. Of course, check with your doctor and do not mix these with other drugs.
  Drink plenty of fluids such as water (eight to 12 glasses per day) and two to three glasses of pure fruit juice each day. One Immodium in the afternoon works well to control diarrhea.