Detoxification procedures

Detoxification is a medical procedure that represents the first and essential step in the treatment of addiction. Regardless of whether the addiction is to alcohol, drugs or medication, the body of a person suffering from this illness is burdened with toxic substances that directly affect their physical and mental condition.

As a procedure, detoxification has two main goals: to remove accumulated toxins from the body and to alleviate the symptoms of withdrawal, which occur when psychoactive substances are discontinued. This phase is crucial, as without physical recovery, a person is unable to engage in psychotherapy and long-term healing.

It is important to distinguish between physical and psychological addiction. Physical dependence refers to a state in which the body can no longer function without a certain substance — and sudden cessation causes painful and potentially dangerous symptoms. Psychological addiction, on the other hand, involves an emotional and mental need for the substance, often developing in response to stress, trauma or habit.

This is why detoxification is the first and necessary procedure — it cleanses the body and provides the foundation for further work on the emotional and psychological levels.

What types of addiction require detoxification?

Detoxification is used in various forms of addiction, most commonly in cases involving the long-term use of psychoactive substances that alter brain chemistry and bodily function. Each of these addictions has its own specific characteristics, but they all share a common factor — the need for a procedure that clears the body of toxins and prepares it for further therapeutic work.

Drug Detoxification

This includes addiction to opiates (heroin, morphine, buprenorphine), cocaine, amphetamines, ecstasy, cannabis, and other psychoactive substances. It is most often carried out in inpatient settings due to the intensity of the withdrawal crisis.

Alcohol Detoxification

Alcohol is a widely available legal substance that can cause serious physical and psychological dependence. Detoxification is essential to stabilise liver function and the nervous system, and must be conducted under strict medical supervision.

Prescription Drug Detoxification

This usually refers to the misuse of benzodiazepines, painkillers, antidepressants, and opioids, which were initially prescribed for medical reasons. These detox procedures require a cautious and gradual approach due to the risk of serious complications when stopping use.

Polysubstance Addiction

In cases where a person uses multiple different substances, the detoxification procedure must be carefully planned and carried out with a multidisciplinary approach to avoid interactions and additional risks.

Regardless of the type of addiction, detoxification is an essential procedure that enables a safe start to recovery and prevents the serious consequences of sudden substance withdrawal.

What does the detoxification process look like?

The detoxification procedure is carried out in clearly defined stages, ensuring patient safety and the effective removal of psychoactive substances from the body. The goal is not only physical cleansing but also stabilisation of vital functions, enabling the individual to progress to the next phase of treatment – psychotherapy and rehabilitation.

a) Diagnosis and preparation of the patient

Before the detoxification begins, the patient undergoes a comprehensive assessment. This phase includes:

Based on the findings, an individual detoxification plan is created, taking into account the type of substance, duration of abuse, general health, and any possible contraindications.

b) Inpatient medical detoxification

At the clinic, detoxification is carried out under constant supervision by doctors and medical staff. During the procedure, the patient is provided with:

The aim is to ease the symptoms of withdrawal, stabilise the body, and ensure the patient feels physically well enough to proceed to the next stages of treatment.

c) Abstinence crisis – symptoms and duration

A withdrawal crisis is an expected part of the detoxification process, though its intensity can be significantly reduced if the process is properly managed.

The most common symptoms include:

Symptoms usually appear within 6 to 12 hours after stopping the substance and peak within the first 72 hours. In clinical settings, patients experience this phase with appropriate therapeutic support.

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Types of detoxification according to method

There are various methods of detoxification, chosen based on the type of substance, severity of addiction, the patient’s overall health, and urgency of intervention. Each method has its advantages and limitations, but the common goal is safe removal of toxins from the body and patient stabilization. It is important to stress that all these methods are medical procedures conducted under controlled conditions.

Standard detox

This method involves the gradual elimination of the substance from the body, supported by medication to relieve withdrawal symptoms.

Rapid Opiate Detoxification (ROD)

This method employs a protocol that accelerates the onset of the withdrawal crisis, which is then managed with medical relief.

Ultra Rapid Opiate Detoxification (UROD)

Ultra-rapid detoxification is an intensive medical procedure conducted under continuous supervision by a medical team. During the procedure, the patient is kept in a controlled and protected environment while opiates are rapidly eliminated from the body using specialised medications.

Simultaneously, withdrawal symptoms are medically managed to ensure maximum safety and comfort.

Advantage: the patient avoids experiencing the intense withdrawal symptoms typically associated with detox, as the procedure is designed to shield them from the physical and emotional stresses of abstinence.

Limitations: this procedure is only suitable for patients without serious chronic illnesses and who have undergone a comprehensive diagnostic evaluation.

Note: The choice of detoxification method is determined individually by the medical team, based on the patient’s health status and expert risk assessment.

Detoxification by Type of Addiction

Each type of addiction has its own specifics in terms of the substance involved, its effects on the body, and the course of the withdrawal crisis. Therefore, the detoxification procedure varies depending on the type of dependency. While the approach is always individualised, there are general protocols that apply according to the type of psychoactive substance.

a) Alcohol Detoxification Procedure

Alcohol addiction is not merely a psychological issue – it directly impairs the functioning of the liver, nervous system, heart, and endocrine balance. The liver, which plays a crucial role in detoxifying the body, is often already damaged in chronic alcoholics, which further complicates the process. Therefore, alcohol detoxification must be treated as an urgent medical procedure requiring a professional approach and continuous supervision by a medical team.

Duration of detoxification: 5 to 7 days

In most cases, physical detoxification from alcohol lasts between five and seven days, depending on:

In patients with severe addiction, this period may be extended and include additional diagnostic and therapeutic procedures.

What Does the Detoxification Procedure Involve?

Treatment in clinical settings includes:

Infusion solutions rich in vitamins and electrolytes, which help restore the exhausted body.
Hepatoprotectors – medications and supplements that protect and support liver regeneration.
Anticonvulsants – drugs that prevent epileptic seizures, which are common during withdrawal.
Sedatives and anxiolytics – to calm the nervous system, reduce anxiety, and prevent delirium.

In addition to medication, the patient has constant access to medical staff who monitor vital signs, respond to any changes, and adjust treatment in real time if necessary.

Risks and Dangers During Alcohol Detoxification

An untreated or poorly managed withdrawal crisis can lead to serious complications, including:

Delirium tremens – an acute, life-threatening condition characterised by hallucinations, disorientation, and severe autonomic nervous system activation.
Epileptic seizures – caused by disturbances in neurotransmitter balance.
Cardiac arrhythmias – which may result in loss of consciousness or even cardiac arrest.

Due to these risks, alcohol detoxification must be conducted exclusively in hospital settings, under 24-hour supervision by qualified medical staff. Any attempt at unsupervised withdrawal from alcohol can result in severe complications or even a fatal outcome.

b) Drug Detoxification Procedure

Narcotic addiction is one of the most challenging forms of addiction, as it rapidly impairs both the physical and mental health of an individual. Each psychoactive substance has a specific mechanism of action on the body, which is why the medical detoxification procedure must be tailored to the particular substance and the patient’s situation.

Opiate Detoxification

Heroin, morphine, buprenorphine, methadone – all of these opiates cause a very strong physical dependence. Upon cessation, a severe withdrawal crisis occurs, with symptoms including:

intense muscle pain,
vomiting and diarrhoea,
tremors,
insomnia,
raised body temperature and blood pressure,
extreme cravings for the substance.

In such cases, substitution therapy is often employed – for example, with methadone or buprenorphine – to gradually stabilise the body. However, this therapy must be carefully controlled, as it carries the risk of developing a new addiction. An alternative approach involves rapid and ultra-rapid methods that accelerate the elimination of opiates and shorten the duration of physical dependence.

Cocaine and Amphetamine Detoxification

These substances are predominantly psychologically addictive, but their abuse has profound effects on the nervous system. Symptoms of withdrawal include:

Detoxification for these patients focuses primarily on psychological stabilisation, using anxiolytics, antidepressants, regular psychotherapy, and mandatory psycho-education. The success of treatment largely depends on the patient’s motivation as well as the intensity of psychological support provided.

Detoxification from Cannabis and Synthetic Drugs

Cannabis and so-called “designer” drugs (such as spice, MDMA, synthetic cathinones) typically cause milder physical dependence but often lead to:

Detoxification for these substances usually does not require aggressive pharmacological intervention but instead emphasises psychological stabilisation, establishing routines, proper nutrition, and physical activity as part of daily therapy.

Duration and Course of the Procedure

On average, drug detoxification lasts between 7 and 10 days; however, depending on the type of drug, length of abuse, and the patient’s overall health, this period may be extended. Treatment is multidisciplinary and includes:

c) Drug Detoxification Procedure

Drug addiction is often unique in that it frequently begins legally—through prescribed medication by a doctor. However, when medicines are used for longer than recommended, in higher doses, or for improper purposes, serious physical and psychological dependence can develop. Detoxification from drugs is the first and most important step towards freedom from this silent yet very serious illness.

The most common types of drug addiction:

Benzodiazepines – drugs for anxiety and insomnia, such as bromazepam, diazepam, and alprazolam. Addiction develops rapidly, and withdrawal symptoms can include panic attacks, tremors, insomnia, hallucinations, and epileptic seizures.
Opioid analgesics – painkillers like tramadol, oxycodone, and codeine cause extremely strong physical dependence. Discontinuing their use leads to severe physical pain, nausea, tremors, insomnia, and irritability.
Antidepressants and sedatives – although they do not typically cause “classic euphoria,” prolonged abuse leads to emotional instability, alienation, and a crisis of disconnection.

Severe Withdrawal Crisis Symptoms

Drug addiction, especially to benzodiazepines, often causes the most complex and dangerous withdrawal syndromes, including:

psychosis and intense episodes of paranoia,
convulsions and epileptic-like seizures,
deep depressive phases and suicidal thoughts,
hallucinations and disorientation,
severe anxiety and insomnia.

Because of these symptoms, drug detoxification must be carried out exclusively in controlled hospital settings, with constant medical supervision and immediate availability for intervention.

Methods of Drug Detoxification

Depending on the type of drug and the patient’s general health condition, the following methods are used:

Rapid detoxification (ROD): with the aid of medication, the onset of the withdrawal crisis is accelerated, after which symptoms are relieved through medication and psychological support. The goal is to stop physical addiction as quickly as possible.
Ultra-rapid detoxification: a specialised procedure during which the patient’s body quickly passes through the withdrawal phase under strictly controlled conditions. During the procedure, drugs are used that simultaneously promote the elimination of opiates from the body and alleviate withdrawal symptoms, thereby protecting the patient from intense physical and psychological stress reactions.

Duration and Individual Approach

Drug detoxification usually lasts between 3 and 7 days, but in some cases it may take longer — especially in cases of long-term abuse or poly-substance use. The treatment plan is always personalised, taking into account:

The procedure includes:

Is it safe to detox at home?

Detoxification is a complex medical procedure that, although it may sound straightforward in theory, can carry serious risks to the patient’s health and life in practice. For this reason, detoxification at home is strongly discouraged, especially without medical supervision.

Why is at home detox dangerous?

Unpredictable crisis: Withdrawal symptoms can range from mild to extremely severe, including seizures, delirium, psychosis, and sudden spikes in blood pressure and heart rate.
Lack of medical support: Without medication and professional supervision, symptoms can spiral out of control, leading to serious complications.
Psychological risks: Loneliness, feelings of helplessness, and inability to maintain self-control may cause the patient to abandon detox and relapse.
Risk of relapse: The home environment often contains triggers — such as certain places, people, or habits — that increase cravings for the substance.

Why is the clinical detoxification procedure safe?

In specialised institutions, detoxification is carried out:

Whether detoxifying from alcohol, medication, or drugs, attempting detox at home can be dangerous. That is why it is crucial to seek help from a professional facility with the experience, expertise, and resources to provide safe and effective care.

What Comes After Detoxification?

Detoxification, while crucial, is not the end – but the beginning of recovery. This procedure removes physical dependence, but it does not address the deep-rooted psychological and emotional causes that contributed to the development of addiction. That’s why continuing treatment after detox is an equally vital part of the healing process.

a) Psychotherapy and Psychological Stabilisation

Following the physical cleansing of the body, the focus shifts to mental health:

Individual psychotherapy helps patients identify the underlying causes of their addiction, as well as avoidance patterns and denial mechanisms.
Group and family therapy offers the opportunity to share experiences, rebuild relationships, and receive support within a community.
Depending on the patient’s profile, specialised methods are also used, such as behavioural therapy, NET (narrative exposure therapy), Transair, and other psychological stabilisation techniques.

The goal of this phase is to build a new mental framework that is stable and resilient to stress and external triggers.

b) ) Pharmacological Support and Blockers

In some cases, medication is used to:

These medications are included in the treatment plan solely at the psychiatrist’s discretion and under constant supervision.

c) Outpatient Phase and Long-Term Support

Following discharge from the clinic, the so-called post-acute recovery phase begins, typically lasting between 6 and 12 months. During this period, the patient returns to everyday life, but with:

The aim of this phase is to prevent relapse, strengthen willpower, and rebuild self-confidence, which was often damaged during addiction.

Detoxification as a Journey Back to Oneself

Addiction to psychoactive substances, regardless of its form, undermines physical and mental health, emotional stability, and personal relationships. The good news is that addiction is treatable – but the first and most crucial step is detoxification. This medical procedure involves far more than simply cleansing the body; it is about regaining control over one’s own body, emotions, and decisions.

Detoxification is the foundation – not the goal. It lays the groundwork for true transformation: psychological renewal and a redefinition of one’s life path. With the professional support of doctors, therapists and loved ones, long-term abstinence is achievable and a fulfilling, addiction-free life can be rebuilt.

If you or someone close to you recognises the signs of addiction, don’t wait for the crisis to become unbearable. Acting in time can save a life.

Contact us today. Our team will guide you through the next steps, explain the procedure, and offer the reassurance that you are not alone.

Detox is not the end – it’s the beginning of freedom.