What to Expect During Drug Detox at Excellence Recovery

If you’ve never gone through detox before, you might be wondering what to expect during drug detox, and it can be scary to imagine what it’ll actually be like. Will it hurt? Will you sleep? Is someone going to be there if things get bad?

Let’s take away the mystery.

Here’s exactly what to expect during drug detox at Excellence Recovery—so you can walk in with clarity, not fear.

Step 1: You Call—We Listen

The process begins the moment you call. No pressure. No judgment. Just a calm, confidential conversation where we ask:

• What substances have you been using?
• For how long?
• Have you detoxed before?
• Any mental health or medical concerns?
• Are you currently safe?

From there, we’ll help determine whether you need same-day admission or if a short plan can be built around your current circumstances.

We’re not a call center—we’re a small, private program in Buckeye, Arizona, which means every person matters and every plan is personal.

Step 2: Arrival & Private Intake

When you arrive at our facility, you’ll be greeted by a member of our staff and brought directly into your private detox suite. No waiting rooms. No overcrowded dorms. Just peace.

You’ll meet with a nurse or clinical provider who will:

• Take your vitals
• Ask about your usage history
• Check for medical or psychiatric complications
• Discuss medications we may use to keep you comfortable

We’ll explain every step before we take it. You’ll always know what’s happening—and why.

Step 3: Withdrawal Management Begins

Detox usually lasts 5 to 10 days, depending on what substances you’ve used and how your body responds. Most people begin to feel physical and emotional symptoms within the first 6 to 24 hours.

Here’s a rough breakdown:

Days 1–2: The Peak

This is often the hardest phase. Symptoms may include:

• Nausea or vomiting
• Sweating and chills
• Insomnia
• Anxiety or agitation
• Muscle aches
• Intense cravings

But you are never alone during this time. Our staff checks on you constantly, and we have protocols in place to keep you safe, hydrated, and calm.

Days 3–5: Stabilization

Medications and rest begin working. Your appetite may return. Cravings usually begin to decrease. Emotions may rise to the surface—fear, sadness, guilt. That’s normal, and we’ll help you process it.

Days 6–10: Clarity

By now, most symptoms are manageable or gone. You’ll start sleeping better. You may feel ready to talk, engage, or plan for the next step in your recovery.

Comfort Is Part of the Plan

Detox doesn’t have to be brutal. At Excellence Recovery, we build comfort into everything we do.

• Private rooms with TVs, soft bedding, and low lighting
• Quiet hallways and a small census to promote calm
• On-site chef-prepared meals to keep you nourished
• Optional integrative support like music or mindfulness when you’re ready

We won’t force group activities or therapy during detox. Your only job is to heal.

Medication Support: Yes, We Use It

Depending on your needs, we may use medications to help manage withdrawal symptoms. These are tailored for:

• Opiates (heroin, fentanyl, pain pills): Buprenorphine or other taper options
• Alcohol: Anti-seizure medications and sedatives to prevent complications
• Benzodiazepines: Carefully tapered with medical monitoring
• Stimulants: Supportive care for emotional volatility and sleep issues

Every dose is tracked. Then every change is explained. Every step is focused on you, not just protocol.

Emotional Support During Detox

Your body might be the priority at first—but we never forget the emotional toll of early recovery.

While detox is not therapy-heavy, we always have:

• Peer support staff who’ve been through it and can talk you through the darkest moments
• On-call mental health clinicians if depression, panic, or suicidal thoughts arise
• A trauma-informed approach to avoid re-triggering vulnerable clients

Healing is physical and emotional. We protect both.

Transitioning from Detox to Rehab

Once detox is complete, we don’t discharge you and send you out the door.

Instead, we sit with you and map out the next step. Most of our clients move directly into residential treatment—just steps away—without needing a transfer or new facility.

This seamless transition ensures:

• No gaps in care
• No risk of relapse in between
• No pressure to make decisions alone

You’ll continue working with the same team who already knows you. The trust is already built.

Common Misconceptions About Drug Detox

Let’s clear up some myths:

• “Detox means being tied to a hospital bed.” Not here. You’ll rest in a calm, homelike setting, not a clinical ward.
• “I’ll be forced into therapy right away.” Not at all. Detox is about stabilization. Therapy starts when you’re ready.
• “It’s going to hurt.” We do everything possible to reduce discomfort—and most clients say it wasn’t nearly as bad as they expected.

We’re here to prove that detox can be safe, kind, and empowering.

Why Detox at Excellence Recovery?

We’re not the biggest program. We don’t flash luxury gimmicks. But what we offer is real:

• Safety. 24/7 licensed supervision.
• Comfort. Private rooms and tailored care.
• Continuity. Detox and rehab under one roof.
• Support. People who care, not just staff doing a job.

If you’re wondering what to expect during drug detox, we hope this gives you more than answers—we hope it gives you hope.