Here Are 6 Signs That You Need Help Detoxing (and How to Get Support for You or Someone Else)

You know your substance use has gotten out of control, and it’s time for a change. Quitting on your own is tempting, but you’ve struggled for so long. Should you try a do-it-yourself (DIY) detox, or should you turn to professionals for help? 

It’s often hard for people with substance use disorders to ask for help, and going through detox is no exception. Substance detox by itself isn’t a treatment. But it’s an important early step toward recovery. 

Here, we’ll review why it’s important to get support for detox, signs you need help detoxing, and the risks of detoxing on your own. We’ll wrap up with some helpful resources to get you started.

Why it’s important to get support for your detox

Detox is the process that the body goes through when stopping or cutting back on substances after a period of prolonged use. It involves physical and mental withdrawal symptoms that can be uncomfortable. When a person is physically dependent on a substance, they may experience many uncomfortable symptoms while detoxing. The process can be overwhelming and difficult to do alone, so it’s safer and more effective with medical support. 

Can you recover from a substance use disorder (or high levels of substance use) on your own? 

Some people can recover from a substance use disorder without treatment. There isn’t much research on people who go into remission (temporary recovery) without help, but they tend to have less severe addictions or low risk of misuse. If you’ve experienced withdrawal symptoms or tried quitting several times but were not successful, you may need treatment to recover. Treatment provides the therapy, support, and guidance many need for addiction recovery.

Signs that you need outside help detoxing 

It’s tempting to try detoxing alone, especially if you aren’t ready to ask for help. Here are six signs you may need additional support while detoxing from substances. 

You have mood changes when you stop using the substance. 

Substance withdrawal can cause mood changes, leaving you feeling depressed, anxious, or irritable. Some of these changes may be due to the effects of substances leaving your body. But you may also be struggling with self-care and the lifestyle changes that come with recovery. 

You have physical withdrawal symptoms. 

Physical withdrawal symptoms are a sign of substance dependence. Substances such as alcohol, opioids, and benzodiazepines can cause physical withdrawal. When you stop using them, your body may react with some of these symptoms: 

• Nausea

• Vomiting

• Headaches

• Body aches

• Sweating

In more extreme cases, you may experience delirium tremens, or DTs. These are a severe, potentially life-threatening symptom of alcohol withdrawal. DTs involve sudden changes in the nervous system that can cause confusion, tremors, and seizures.

Your tolerance for the substance is going up 

There are several signs that your body is dependent on a drug, prescription medicine, or alcohol. For example, you may find that you need more of the substance to feel any effects, which is called tolerance. Sometimes you have to use it just to feel normal. When the substance is leaving your body, you start to feel uncomfortable or sick. 

You have intense cravings. 

You often think about getting intoxicated and the people, rituals, and places connected with the substance. You feel uncontrollable urges to use the substance and find it hard to resist. You may feel comforted by your old habits and think of how easy it would be to start using again. 

You’ve tried to quit, reduce your use, or detox many times, and it hasn’t worked. 

If you've tried to quit or reduce your substance use, you know the process is difficult. Detoxing on your own can be dangerous and ineffective, especially if you stop all substance use abruptly or have a history of severe withdrawal symptoms. These efforts can be more challenging if you don’t have a reliable support system. 

You have other medical issues. 

Detoxing from substances can be hard on your body, even dangerous when you have other health conditions like diabetes, heart problems, or hypertension. Detoxing during pregnancy requires extra care as well. You don’t know how your body will react, and you might not be prepared for a medical emergency.

Is it dangerous to detox from any types of drugs or alcohol on your own? 

You may prefer the privacy and comfort of home to the sterile feel of a medical detox facility. But for heavy alcohol use or sedative addiction, a do-it-yourself approach to detox can be unsafe or cause needless suffering.

Some people may experience withdrawal without medical complications. But it’s difficult to predict who will need medical support during detox and who won’t. This makes clinicians hesitant to recommend nonmedical detox in most cases. 

Also, the support from medical staff and loved ones can help you get through the worst moments.

What’s involved with a detox? 

DIY detox may work for people with milder substance use issues, but that approach is risky. Here’s how detox works and why medical detox may be the better choice for some substances. 

You are cared for by experts.

Medical detox takes place under the care of physicians, nurses, and other trained specialists. The staff can address your health needs and monitor the process to ensure your safety. 

You get treatment for withdrawal.

As a substance leaves a person’s body, intense withdrawal symptoms may develop. Trained staff can give medications and other treatments to ease this reaction and reduce the chances of developing dangerous symptoms, like DTs. When the symptoms are under control and the person is medically stable, they may be ready to consider addiction treatment.

There are different kinds of programs.

Detox can be part of an inpatient treatment program or an outpatient service for less severe addictions. A medical detox may also provide a more straightforward path to treatment than a DIY approach.

How to help someone else detox or recover from a substance use issue 

If someone you care about needs to detox, you may not know how you can help. Whether that person chooses to detox with or without medical assistance, your support is valuable. Here are some tips for getting through it:

• Be patient with your loved one’s detox process: They’re going through a major life change, and progress can take time to unfold. 

• Ask the detox staff when you can visit your loved one: Emotional support is important, but each facility will have its own visitation rules. 

• Caring for someone going through detox can be stressful: Remember to rest, eat nutritious food, and manage your stress.

• Learn about detox and how it works: You’ll understand more when you’re prepared to listen and ask questions.

Detox support, help, and resources 

When you’re ready to learn more about medically supported detox, here are several resources and guides to get you started:

• Find a detox facility near you: Visit FindTreatment.gov, and use the search fields on the sidebar of this page to look by city, zip code, and type of facility. 

• Learn what comes next: Wonder what happens after detox? This thorough resource outlines several steps for long-term addiction recovery.

• Learn about common concerns: Read the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) digital booklet on detox and substance treatment and common concerns.

• Get help: Call SAMHSA’s National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357) for help finding treatment, detox, or other substance use information. The helpline is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. 

The bottom line 

Many people try to detox from substances on their own, but medical detox is a safer and more effective option. With support, you or a loved one can take a vital step toward addiction recovery. 

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Written by:

Erika Krull, MSEd, LMHPL

Erika Krull, MSEd, LMHP, is an experienced mental health counselor and freelance writer. She’s practiced in her community with in-home family therapy and emergency mental health evaluations.

Reviewed by:

Emily Guarnotta, PsyD

Emily Guarnotta, PsyD, is a licensed clinical psychologist and certified perinatal mental health professional with over 10 years of clinical experience.

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