Why Can Some Detox Drugs Make You Hallucinate

Why Can Some Detox Drugs Make You Hallucinate?

Looking Into the Causes of Hallucination During Medical Detox

When I decided to get sober, my journey began at South Shores Detox and Recovery. I suffered from alcohol addiction for many years, I had already experienced withdrawal and detox symptoms multiple times before. I knew it was going to be uncomfortable, but I didn’t anticipate experiencing hallucinations during my alcohol withdrawal.

So, why can some detox drugs make you hallucinate?

There are a few reasons why you can find yourself suffering from visual and auditory hallucinations during detox. The side effects of certain detox drugs can cause hallucinations, while the withdrawal symptoms themselves can also lead to this phenomenon.

When these symptoms occur, medical attention is highly recommended. Depending on the severity of your symptoms, severe complications and medical emergencies can occur.

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What Makes Alcohol Withdrawal So Dangerous?

Alcohol withdrawal is one of the few forms of withdrawal that can be fatal if not done under medical supervision. Alcohol withdrawal delirium, also known as delirium tremens is a common symptom chronic alcoholics experience during detox.

I drank every day for nearly two decades, so my alcohol withdrawal symptoms were terrible. It took a lot to get through it, but I was sick of living life the way that I was. I was ready to change, no matter what it was going to take.

Whether you are suffering from alcohol or drug abuse, detox is going to be tough. A lot of addicts avoid trying to get clean due to the discomfort of the withdrawal symptoms during detox. It was tough for me too, but because of the great team at South Shores, I was able to overcome it.

It’s important to know what you’re getting yourself into. In this journal, I will lay out everything that you might experience; and why the withdrawal symptoms are worth going through.

What Are Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms Like?

Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms

Alcohol withdrawal syndrome is a process that can take several days or even weeks to get through, depending on your level of addiction. Within the first few hours after your last drink, you may feel anxiety, insomnia, headache, and other mild symptoms.

By the time the first day is over, you will most likely feel more serious symptoms, including hallucinations.

For most alcoholics, auditory hallucinations can be more common than visual hallucinations. These auditory hallucinations typically come in the form of voices. These voices often manifest negatively or angrily, which can create more anxiety. These hallucinations start off somewhat minor, and eventually become more and more intense. This is when Delirium tremens begins to set in.

How To Handle Alcohol Withdrawal Delirium

Delirium tremens, or “DT’s” as they are often referred is a potentially fatal symptom of withdrawal that requires medical supervision to get through. Beyond the auditory and visual hallucinations, you can suffer from seizure episodes as well. The goal of your medical team is to keep you as sedated as possible and control your movements so you don’t hurt yourself or others.

DT’s typically only happen to chronic alcoholics who have drunk excessively for a prolonged period of time. Severe alcohol withdrawal doesn’t always include delirium tremens.

Only about five percent of people suffering from alcohol withdrawal go through delirium tremens. Despite this number, minor hallucinations can occur no matter how addicted you are.

What To Expect From Substance Abuse Treatment

Hallucinogen persisting perception disorder

When I got to South Shores, I was already suffering from uncomfortable and dangerous withdrawal symptoms from drinking. They got me in quickly and helped begin the process of detox by putting me in a room and monitoring me. Beyond the physical symptoms, the mental part of detox can be just as difficult. Some addicts experience depression and suicidal thoughts during the course of detox.

Hallucinogen persisting perception disorder is something that some addicts suffer from following a detox. This is when you begin to experience hallucinations or perceptual distortions that last longer than normal. These are common among addicts who use hallucinogens such as LSD or other dissociative drugs.

The drugs that you are given in detox may also result in side effects that include hallucination. Buprenorphine, Methadone, and Benzodiazepines are common detox drugs that can help you work through the symptoms. These drugs don’t often result in hallucinations, but some have reported these symptoms while taking them.

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What Happens After Detox?

Addiction treatment really begins once detox ends. I was ready for anything following the discomfort of my detox, and I felt extremely relieved once the detox symptoms began to subside. My alcohol detoxification took nearly three days, and even after those three days, it took me a while to feel normal following the hallucinations.

Once I was ready, I began cognitive behavioral therapy as part of my recovery plan. South Shores offers one of the best CBT programs in the country. It felt good to finally work on my mental health in a positive way. It wasn’t without its difficulties. A big part of recovery is being able to admit what you’ve done wrong and trying to figure out what you can change.

It was tough for me to finally face some form of responsibility after years of avoiding it. I was very emotionally immature and used to blame every other factor that I could for my addiction. Taking a long, hard look at yourself is key to the recovery process. Being humble goes a long way.

What Are The Visual Hallucinations Like?

Hallucinations during detox aren’t what you might expect. A lot of times the visual hallucinations revolve around seeing trails or shapes. Moving objects can be confusing to look at for this reason. Tactile hallucinations are also common. This can result in you feeling as if you are being touched. Many addicts report that it feels like they have bugs crawling on them.

Hallucinogen rehab looks a little different than alcohol rehab, but there are a lot of similarities as well. Regardless of your addiction, there is going to be work that has to be done. Nobody gets through a rehab program without opening up and submitting to the program. It’s never going to be easy for anybody, but you will be glad you did it.

Overcoming Addiction: A Challenge That Changed My Life

Overcoming Addiction at South Shores Detox

When I left South Shores, I made sure to put myself into a drug-free environment. I avoided hanging out with the people that I used to surround myself with. Once I started going to support groups, I met all kinds of people who would become a big part of my support system.

It can be difficult to cut off relationships, especially if they mean a lot to you. You may want to try and help these people, but there is only so much you can do. If someone wants to change, then they will. The people you meet in recovery will end up being a lot more helpful to you and your sobriety.

I felt very vulnerable for the first few months I was sober. I wanted to drink at many different points, but going to group meetings and talking about it helped out a lot. Before I went to rehab, I would have given in to temptation and not been able to control myself. It happened every time I tried to quit drinking. The tools I got in rehab helped me avoid making impulsive decisions.

Emotional Support Makes A World Of Difference

We all struggle in life. That’s no different when you are in recovery. Ultimately, recovery starts with you. You will be the reason for whether you relapse or not. With that being said, we all need support from time to time.

The recovery community is full of wonderful people who all make it a point to help each other. If you aren’t in a good place, there will be someone to lift you up. Other times, you might be the person offering a helping hand.

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Making the Choice to Attend Treatment at South Shores

Going to South Shores Detox and Recovery was the first step toward a life of sobriety and fulfillment. That doesn’t mean I don’t still work on myself every day. Recovery is an ongoing process, but it gets easier the more you work at it.

If you are ready to get support for jumping ‘on the wagon’ take my word for it: You will be better off because of it. Give the good people at South Shores a call, I know they helped me even more than I could ever put into words, and will give you every chance at having your own sober success story!