Rhonda serves as BrightView Health’s Vice President of Quality Operations. Prior to joining BrightView in 2020, Rhonda has over 18 years’... read more
If you are ready to stop using drugs, one of the most common questions is how to get drugs out of your system. While there is a multitude of complex or dangerous ways to attempt to rid your body of drugs faster, the best ways to do so are relatively simple. Without a doubt, the most effective method for ridding your body of drug use is to enlist the assistance of experienced addiction treatment professionals.
At Brightview, we provide a unique approach to drug addiction treatment. Our team of addiction specialists can safely and comfortably help you or someone you care about begin to heal from addiction. If you or a loved one is interested in learning how our BrightView team gets people on the right track and away from addiction, contact us online or call us at 888.501.9865.
Why It’s Important to Get Drugs Out of Your System
You’ve probably spent a long time trying to keep drugs in your system to avoid withdrawal symptoms. But, when you are seeking drug addiction treatment, ridding your system of drugs is an important step. You’ll need to be in a state of semi-withdrawal when you are starting addiction recovery at the facility. While this process is uncomfortable, it allows the addiction treatment staff to provide you with the right dose of medication. You’ll need to stop taking methadone and other long-acting opioids for 48-72 hours. Short-acting opioids, including heroin and oxycodone, must be stopped 24 hours before your appointment.
Tips to Remove Drugs from Your System Naturally
The first step is to stop taking the drug. Supporting your body’s natural process can help you get drugs out of your system so you can get the treatment you need. You can remove drugs from your system by staying hydrated, exercising, eating a healthy diet, and avoiding alcohol or caffeine.
Do Over The Counter Detox Kits Work?
Unfortunately, the answer is no. The kits are legal, but the ingredients and quality of what’s in them are poorly regulated. This means that you may not exactly know what’s in the kit or the purity of the natural ingredients. Also, detox kits do not help with withdrawal symptoms nor do they help with stopping drug use long term. Detox kits are designed to convince someone that they are flushing the body of illegal substances in an effective way, when they are mostly just dehydrating the body.
Staying Hydrated
Staying hydrated is an important part of the process. Water is a key component of your body’s natural detoxification system. Toxins are flushed out through your urine, and hydration keeps your body functioning at an optimal level.
Tips for staying hydrated include:
- Aim for 8-10 glasses of water throughout the day. Don’t expect drinking a large amount of water at one time to be an effective way to remove drugs from your system. Staying hydrated requires frequency, not just volume.
- In addition to water, herbal teas and juice may help your body flush out toxins. They contain natural compounds that can aid the body in the process and support organ health.
- Avoid sports drinks to hydrate because their main ingredient is usually sugar. Water is always the best choice for hydration.
Exercise
Exercise is likely the last thing you feel like doing when you are trying to get drugs out of your system, but it helps in several ways. It can boost metabolism and increase blood flow, which helps your body process and flush toxins. Sweating can also help. If you aren’t up for high-impact aerobics, any type of exercise will help. Yoga and walking are easy on your body while still providing the benefits of exercise.
A Healthy Diet
Nutritional deficiencies can slow your body’s ability to process substances, and most people don’t eat properly when they are in active addiction. Foods including fruits, cruciferous vegetables, protein, and healthy fats can all support your body during this time. The key isn’t a specific food or group of foods. Instead, aim for variety. Whole foods are also crucial. Whenever possible, choose unprocessed food. These have higher nutritional value and are free of additives.
Avoid Alcohol and Caffeine
Alcohol and caffeine dehydrate your system. They also have their own toxins that the body must work to remove. The essential detox organs are the liver and kidneys. When the liver and kidneys have to process alcohol and caffeine, it lowers their ability to remove drugs from the system. Seek addiction recovery treatment for help with this process. If you can’t live without some type of caffeine, avoid coffee and soft drinks, and stick to green or white tea. Caffeinated teas are easier on your body and have antioxidants that help support your body’s efforts.
Outpatient Addiction Treatment at BrightView
The outpatient addiction treatment at BrightView allows people to face the addiction and learn strategies to avoid substance use going forward. We provide an array of mental health treatment options as an essential component of addiction treatment so that people can identify the underlying causes of their addiction. Our BrightView team will work with you to determine if our outpatient addiction treatment program is best for your recovery.
Explore Comprehensive and Compassionate Outpatient Treatment at BrightView Today
Removing drugs from your system is an essential step toward recovery, but you don’t have to do it on your own. At Brightview Health, we offer walk-in appointments and 24/7 phone support for Ohio residents. Our outpatient programs allow you to start living your life without the adverse effects of drugs. Don’t wait another day. Contact us online or at 888.501.9865 to begin your recovery.
