4 Worst Drugs to Detox From ( + How to Speed up the Process)
Sadly, drug abuse can result in immensely hazardous effects and requires professional medical care during detoxification. Even worse, drugs can alter how dopamine is released so profoundly that cravings may persist long after rehab and detox are finished.
After extensive research, I have identified certain substances with extraordinary potential for drug addiction that is more difficult to overcome with detox.
Here’s what drugs are the worst to detox from.
Quick Summary
- Benzodiazepines and alcohol withdrawal symptoms are the worst.
- The treatment for heroin addiction often involves a medical detox.
- Benzos may still lead to potential drug addiction due to their habit-forming effects.
4 Worst Drugs To Detox From
Contrary to popular belief, the most hazardous and difficult drugs to detox are not necessarily those found on the streets. Benzodiazepines and alcohol withdrawal symptoms are the worst.
Seizures or delirium tremens may put someone in physical jeopardy, while psychological side effects like hallucinations and suicidal thoughts pose a danger for irrational behavior.
Therefore it is important to be mindful of physical and mental health risks during any medical detox process. If you’re trying to detox from addiction, these are the 4 most challenging substances of abuse:
1. Benzodiazepines
Casually known as Benzos, these drugs have become among the most prescribed psychoactive medications in America to treat anxiety [1].
Valium (diazepam), Ativan (lorazepam), Klonopin (clonazepam), and Xanax (alprazolam) are powerful prescription sedatives and tranquilizers that can be used to lessen anxiety, bring about relaxation, or help people sleep.
However, these drugs create a euphoric feeling similar to alcohol abuse when misused – making them one of the most addictive drugs if abused regularly.
Even when taken as directed by a physician, they may still lead to potential drug addiction due to their habit-forming effects.
Benzodiazepine Withdrawal Symptoms
Detoxing from benzodiazepines can cause a variety of significant withdrawal symptoms, including:
- Headache
- Nausea and vomiting
- Racing heart rate
- Sweating
- Insomnia
- Blurry vision
- Sensitivity to light and touch
- Muscular pain
- Anxiety
- Mood swings
- Shakiness
- Seizures
- Hallucinations
Also Read: How Long Do Benzos Stay in Urine?
2. Heroin
Heroin, an illicit opioid drug used by many to obtain a calming sensation and euphoria, can be injected, snorted, or smoked.
This addictive drug provides an instant feeling of pleasure and a break from reality, but when that sense of joy wears off, the accompanying withdrawal symptoms can be unbearable.
To avoid discomfort, many turn to taking more drugs as soon as possible to keep those feelings at bay, leading to heroin addiction.
According to the National Library of Medicine (NLM), withdrawal symptoms from opioid drugs typically commence 12 hours after your last dose.
They can reach a peak intensity in as little as one to two days – with methadone taking closer to 30 hours [2].
Heroin and Opioid Withdrawal Symptoms
These drug withdrawal symptoms may be comparable to experiencing a particularly dreadful case of the flu, inducing:
- Shakes
- Sweating
- Chills
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Muscle aches
- Insomnia
- Runny nose
- Yawning and tearing
Physical and psychological symptoms can be challenging, with severe symptoms such as depression, anxiety, agitation, irritability, and a decrease in mental clarity being common.
Opioid detox involves the usage of medications, such as buprenorphine or methadone, that are long-acting substitute opioid agonists. These substances occupy the same receptors in your brain activated by heroin and other drugs but to a lesser degree or for a more extended period – helping limit cravings and painful withdrawal symptoms [3].
Medical detox is an effective way to control and abate drug cravings and withdrawal symptoms, making it a safe option for those seeking to get off of heroin or prescription painkillers.
“Nearly a quarter of the people who abuse heroin will become addicted to it. More than a half-million Americans battled a heroin use disorder in 2014. Another 2 million people in the United States suffered from a prescription opioid use disorder in 2014.”
– The American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM)
3. Crack Cocaine
Crack cocaine is not as costly; the high comes on more quickly than pure cocaine. Binging can cause an overdose in a matter of minutes; unfortunately, these binges can become an addiction if done repeatedly over time. The overall high lasts only around 10 minutes before dissipating completely.
Once the dopamine rush from a cocaine binge subsides, many users experience debilitating depression that can last for days.
Without the pleasurable effects of cocaine in their system, individuals may find it difficult to enjoy anything at all.
Crack Cocaine Withdrawal Symptoms
The following are some symptoms that may accompany cocaine withdrawal:
- Irritability
- Restlessness
- Intense drug cravings
- Depression
- Agitation
- Anxiety
- Nightmares
- A general feeling of discomfort
- Suicidal thoughts
Medical detox is the most effective way to alleviate withdrawal symptoms and safeguard individuals from inflicting harm on themselves.
According to psychiatry, propranolol – a beta-blocker – may help reduce anxiety and cravings while mitigating some of the severity [4].
Also Read: How Long Is Cocaine Detectable in Urine?
4. Crystal Meth
Crystal meth absorbs into the body quickly and activates dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain. Dopamine, a “happy” neurotransmitter, causes euphoria with intense activity doses.
It is part of our reward system that crystal meth can cause significant harm due to its drastic dopamine release. But 15 minutes later, that sensation fades away, leaving them with intense depression, fatigue, and guilt-ridden regret.
Crystal meth is one of the most dangerous drugs to abuse because it can potentially cause vivid hallucinations, which may initially be enjoyable but can become hostile or paranoid.
Such a potent substance carries substantial addiction risk and withdrawal symptoms ranging from mild to severe.
To ensure the safe completion of a medical detox, medical professionals are ready to provide both physical assistance and mental support throughout the addiction treatment process.
Crystal Meth Withdrawal Symptoms
Severe withdrawal symptoms from meth use may include:
- Fatigue
- Anxiety
- Irritability
- Lack of energy
- Weight gain
- Dehydration
- Chills
- Insomnia is followed by hypersomnia
- Dysphoria (low mood)
- Clinical depression and suicidal thoughts
- The inability to think clearly
- Anhedonia
- Withdrawing from others
- Drug cravings
Also Read: How Long Are Methamphetamines Detectable in Urine?
FAQs
Which Substances Have The Most Dangerous Withdrawal Symptoms?
Substances such as opiates, heroin, and methamphetamine have the most dangerous withdrawal symptoms. Alcohol withdrawal also has life-threatening symptoms.
How Quickly Can You Detox Your Body?
The amount of time it takes to detox your body depends on the type of drug used and your addiction level. Generally, detoxing of drugs and alcohol detox requires between three and ten days. But more serious addictions can prolong the process to several weeks or even months.
What Is Involved In The Detoxification Of Drugs?
Vertebrate liver cells contain a type of organelle called the smooth endoplasmic reticulum, which is involved in the detoxifying of drugs. This structure houses vital enzymes capable of converting lipid-soluble toxins into water-soluble forms so they can be excreted from the body easily.
What Are Psychological Withdrawal Symptoms?
Psychological withdrawal symptoms are depression, anxiety, reduced motivation, apathy, and more severe issues such as hallucinations or delusions.
How to Minimize the Worst Drug Withdrawal Symptoms?
If you are undergoing a challenging drug withdrawal process for addiction treatment, I recommend using a detox drink to help speed up eliminating toxins in your body and minimize withdrawal symptoms.
After doing some research on the best products on the market, I discovered that Clear Choice Rescue Cleanse could help in detoxing the worst drugs to detox.
Clear Choice Rescue Cleanse has ingredients that help replenish the body’s electrolytes and provide vitamins to keep your immune system strong during detoxification. It also helps reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms, making it easier for you to stay sober.
Reference:
- https://www.rxlist.com/benzodiazepines/definition.htm
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK526012/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2851054/
- https://store.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/d7/priv/sma15-4131.pdf
