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Thinking about starting a 5-day detox in West Palm Beach but not sure what to expect? If so, you’re not alone.
Taking the first step toward recovery can feel scary and uncertain—but it’s also one of the most important decisions you’ll ever make.
It’s the very beginning of recovery and helps you start fresh—both physically and mentally. While detox isn’t always easy, it can be safe, manageable, and even life-changing with the right care and support.
What Is Detox and Why Is It Important?
Detox is short for detoxification, and it’s the process by which your body clears out drugs or alcohol.
When you stop using a substance, your body has to adjust, and that can bring on withdrawal symptoms—some mild, some more serious.
Detox is important because it’s the first step toward getting better.
What to Expect from a 5-Day Detox Program in West Palm Beach
If you’re considering a 5-day detox in West Palm Beach, it’s normal to wonder what those five days will actually involve.
Day 1: Intake and Assessment
Your first day at Mandala Healing Center is focused entirely on you—your story, your health, and what you need to feel safe and supported.
When you arrive, you’ll be welcomed by our compassionate staff, who understand that walking through the door is often the hardest part. You’ll meet with medical professionals, including doctors, nurses, and intake specialists, who will take time to get to know you—not just as a patient but as a person.
They’ll ask about your medical history, mental health, substance use, and any withdrawal symptoms you may already be experiencing. You’ll also have the chance to discuss your stress levels, sleep habits, diet, and any previous treatment experiences.
From there, a personalized detox plan will be developed based on your specific needs. This might include medications to manage symptoms, nutritional support, and a plan for emotional care throughout the week. If you have a co-occurring mental condition, that will be factored in too.
Days 2–3: Early Withdrawal
Days two and three of detox are often the most challenging—but they’re also a turning point. This is when your body begins to react more strongly to the absence of drugs or alcohol.
It’s a natural process, but one that can feel uncomfortable, especially if substances have been in your system for a long time.
During this stage, withdrawal symptoms are typically at their peak. You might feel waves of anxiety or a sense of restlessness that’s hard to shake. Your stomach could feel unsettled, and you may experience nausea or even vomiting.
It’s also common to have chills, sweat more than usual, or feel like your body temperature keeps shifting. Sleep can be difficult, and nights may feel longer than usual as your mind and body try to adjust.
Days 4–5: Stabilization and Support
By days four and five, something important starts to happen—you begin to feel a little more like yourself again. The worst of the withdrawal symptoms often start to ease up.
Your body is adjusting, and while you may still feel tired or emotionally raw, there’s a noticeable shift toward stability.
Small things, like eating a full meal or sleeping through the night, might feel possible again. During this time, the focus turns to helping you regain your strength—physically, mentally, and emotionally.
How Detox Symptoms Vary by Substance
Detox experiences can vary significantly. This is because different substances affect the body and brain in unique ways, leading to a range of withdrawal symptoms.
The severity and duration of these symptoms can also depend on both the frequency and duration of substance use.
Alcohol
Because alcohol has such a strong effect on the brain and central nervous system, the body can react intensely when it’s taken away, especially after long-term or heavy use.
In the first stages of alcohol detox, you may notice your hands or body start to shake. Feelings of anxiety can creep in quickly, even if you’re in a safe and calm environment. Nausea and headaches are also very common, and some people experience sweating, restlessness, or a racing heart.
These symptoms, while uncomfortable, are the body’s natural way of reacting to the absence of alcohol. But in more serious cases, alcohol withdrawal can become dangerous.
Without proper medical care, detoxing from alcohol can lead to seizures or hallucinations—seeing or hearing things that aren’t really there. The most severe and life-threatening reaction is something called delirium tremens, or DTs.
This condition can cause severe confusion, intense shaking, fever, and dangerous changes in breathing or heart rate.
Opioids (like heroin, oxycodone, fentanyl)
Withdrawing from opioids—whether it’s heroin, fentanyl, or prescription painkillers—can be an intense experience.
While it’s not usually life-threatening, the symptoms can hit hard, both physically and emotionally. For many people, it feels like having the flu times ten, and it can be very damaging to the body.
Early on, you may feel deep aches in your muscles and waves of chills that make it hard to get comfortable.
Your body might feel jumpy or restless as if you just can’t sit still. Sweating is common, and your stomach might be upset, sometimes leading to nausea or diarrhea. On top of that, sleep can become nearly impossible—even when you’re exhausted.
Benzodiazepines (like Xanax or Valium)
Benzodiazepines—commonly known as benzos—include medications like Xanax, Ativan, and Valium.
These drugs are prescribed for anxiety, panic attacks, or sleep issues because they work by calming the brain and nervous system.
Over time, especially with long-term or frequent use, the body becomes dependent on them to feel normal.
When someone suddenly stops taking benzos—especially without medical supervision—the brain can react in serious and sometimes dangerous ways. That’s because the body no longer knows how to calm itself down on its own.
Withdrawal symptoms can start with intense anxiety or panic attacks, even in people who originally took the medication to feel calmer. Shaking or tremors may follow, and many people report trouble thinking clearly, memory problems, or confusion.
Sleep can become extremely difficult, and in more severe cases, withdrawal can lead to seizures, which can be life-threatening if not treated right away. This is why quitting benzos cold turkey is never safe.
Stimulants (like cocaine or meth)
Stimulants like cocaine and methamphetamines work by speeding up the brain and body. They create powerful bursts of energy, focus, and even euphoria—but once the drug wears off or use is stopped, the crash can hit hard.
During withdrawal, it’s common to feel like everything has slowed down. You may experience intense fatigue, the kind that makes even small tasks feel overwhelming.
Many people describe a heavy, almost foggy feeling as if their body is weighed down and their brain is running in slow motion. Alongside the tiredness, you might feel sad or emotionally drained.
It’s not unusual to experience deep mood swings—feeling angry one minute and hopeless the next.
One of the hardest parts is the return of strong cravings, which can feel like an emotional tug-of-war between the desire to stay clean and the urge to use again just to feel “normal.”
Marijuana
Marijuana withdrawal is usually milder than other drugs, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy. Possible symptoms include:
- Irritability
- Mood changes
- Trouble sleeping
- Headaches or low energy
Start Healing With Us at a 5-Day Detox Program in West Palm Beach
A 5-day detox program can help you safely remove drugs or alcohol from your system, reduce withdrawal symptoms, and give you a fresh start.
Most importantly, it enables you to begin feeling like yourself again.
Contact Mandala Healing Center today to learn about our medical detox programs in West Palm Beach. During our alcohol and drug detox programs, we offer evidence-based care to begin your addiction recovery journey.
