Stimulant Detox and Withdrawal | Timeline and Treatment

While detox is not a cure for stimulant addiction, as recovery is a lifelong journey which requires dedication and resolve, stimulants detox is a vital first step on that journey which will help to clear the substance from your body and the clouds from your mind. This will enable you to focus on the other aspects of your condition and overcome your dependence on stimulants once and for all.

First and foremost, detox will help you to break your physical dependence on stimulants so that you no longer suffer from the negative effects it has on your health.

Second, stimulants detox is a crucial first step in overcoming a reliance on stimulants as once you have dealt with the physical aspect of your dependence you can then go on to stimulants rehab and address the psychological aspects.

Third, stimulants detox will mean you will no longer experience physical cravings for stimulants which can be incredibly uncomfortable and a constant distraction.

Some people try to detox from stimulants at home but there are a number of reasons why this is dangerous:

• Stimulant cravings can be very strong and without support, they are more likely to eventually overcome you and result in a relapse. This can be very dangerous after a period of abstinence because your tolerance to stimulants will have lowered and you are more likely to overdose.
• Stimulant withdrawal symptoms can be severe and sometimes even be life-threatening. This is especially true if you have been taking high doses of stimulants for a long period of time.
• Without professional help, it can be difficult to know when your body is actually free of stimulants. This can lead to a false sense of security and can result in you relapsing when stimulant withdrawal symptoms or cravings suddenly flare up.

Everybody experiences stimulant withdrawal differently depending on factors such as your age, state of health and the level of your physical dependence. Stimulants can take a long time to completely leave your system but here is a general timeline of what you can expect:

Many people who are dependent on stimulants are reluctant to seek help because they are afraid of the detox process. Here are some of the most common fears and concerns that we hear:

I’m afraid of what will happen during withdrawal…

The thought of going through stimulant withdrawal can be very daunting but it is important to remember that stimulants detox is only the first stage of recovery. At Primrose Lodge, our team of medical and mental health professionals will be with you every step of the way to ensure that you are as comfortable as possible.

I’m afraid I won’t be able to cope without stimulants…

If you have been dependent on stimulants for a long time, it can be hard to imagine life without them. However, stimulant detox is just the first step on the road to recovery. Once you have completed detox, you will be able to move on to the next stage of treatment where you can learn how to live a happy and fulfilling life without stimulants.

Going to stimulants detox will affect my job or family…

Some of our clients are worried about the stigma of going to stimulants detox and the effect it will have on their job or family. At Primrose Lodge, we understand the importance of discretion and our team will do everything they can to protect your privacy. Who you tell about going to detox is completely your decision and no pressure will be put on you to disclose this information to anyone if you don’t want to.

There are various questions to ask yourself which will help you to establish whether or not you need to detox from stimulants:

• Do you feel like you need to take stimulants just to get through the day?
• Are they having a negative impact on your life?
• Are you finding it hard to cut down or stop using them?
• Do I experience stimulant withdrawal symptoms when I haven’t taken any?

If you have answered yes to any of these questions, it is likely that you will need to detox from stimulants.