Can detoxing cause headaches? Yes, and the experience is more than just discomfort—it’s a complex neurological event driven by profound changes in your brain chemistry. When you stop using a substance, your brain experiences a rebound of hyperactivity, with an imbalance between excitatory (glutamate) and inhibitory (GABA) neurotransmitters. This, combined with factors like dehydration and changes in cerebral blood flow, can trigger intense headaches similar to migraines. Managing these severe symptoms requires expert medical care. At Four Seasons Detox, our medical team provides 24/7 monitoring and personalized treatment, using medication and hydration support as needed to ensure your detox is as safe and comfortable as possible. Contact us at (805) 991-5111 to learn about our luxury detox programs
Detoxing from drugs and alcohol can come with a range of physical and emotional symptoms. For this reason, it’s recommended that people going through the withdrawal process seek help from a treatment center. However, not all detox centers are created equally. Choosing the right fit makes a tremendous difference in your experience.
The high-end amenities and expert medical team at our center are just a couple of the things that set Four Seasons Detox apart from the rest. So, can detoxing cause headaches? What else should you know? Let’s answer that question and discuss how treatment providers can help.
Can Detoxing Cause Headaches?
Can detoxing cause headaches? Yes, absolutely. Headaches are a very common detox symptom for people getting off various substances. For example, one study found that 60 percent of people going through opiate withdrawal have headaches, especially those with a longer history of addiction.
Similarly, many people with alcohol addiction have severe headaches. Symptoms like headaches can contribute to the risk of relapse during the withdrawal process. This is part of why attending a detox program is so important for those going through alcohol or drug withdrawal.
Luxury Detox in Ventura County
Our luxury detox in Ventura County has an expert-level medical team versed in navigating detox symptoms at varying levels of severity. The detox program at our center can benefit those at risk of withdrawal headaches by providing:
- Access to treatment. Medications and other treatments for withdrawal symptoms (e.g., hydration support) will be administered as needed to give you relief.
- Around-the-clock supervision. Since our detox program operates on an inpatient basis, staff members are present 24/7.
- A substance-free environment. Drugs and alcohol are not allowed on-site, preventing the risk of relapse during the acute withdrawal stage.
- Monitoring for vital signs. This can be essential, especially for those at risk of severe withdrawal symptoms (e.g., alcohol withdrawal delirium).
- Individualized care. We take a personalized approach to detox, using methods like tapering protocols when needed.
We strive to make clients as comfortable as possible. While detox can be a difficult process, it is typically short-lived; acute withdrawal tends to last for a few days to a few weeks. After detox, continued addiction treatment is strongly recommended.
Inpatient Drug Rehab in Ventura County
Many clients who go through detox at our center transfer to our inpatient drug rehab program directly after their withdrawal symptoms subside and they reach physical stability. Although detox helps you get through initial withdrawal symptoms, like headaches, inpatient drug rehab provides intensive therapy for addiction.
Our inpatient drug rehab in Ventura County addresses the underlying causes of substance abuse through evidence-based and complementary treatments. Lasting for about a month, individuals in this program participate in a structured daily schedule consisting of groups, individual therapy, and other activities.
Just like our personalized approach to detox, clients in inpatient rehab at our center get individualized treatment plans.
Dual Diagnosis Treatment
Mental health conditions are a possible risk factor for substance use disorders. When someone has both a substance use disorder and a co-occurring condition like anxiety or depression, it is recommended that treatment providers address both. Clients in our programs who have mental health conditions get access to dual-diagnosis treatment, which addresses co-occurring disorders alongside addiction.
Call Four Seasons Detox for Help With Detox Headaches and Other Withdrawal Symptoms
Four Seasons Detox provides a continuum of care for drug and alcohol abuse that helps people like you get through every stage of the recovery process. From detox to aftercare planning, our team is here for you or the person in your life who needs help overcoming addiction. Call Four Seasons Detox for help with detox headaches and other withdrawal symptoms today at (805) 991-5111.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can detoxing cause headaches?
Yes. The adjustment period that your body goes through when you stop ingesting drugs or alcohol after regular usage can come with headaches. In fact, headaches are a very common acute drug and alcohol withdrawal symptom.
How are detox headaches treated?
Often, medication treatments are used to address detox headaches. In addition to medication treatments, rest and relaxation, hydration support, and nutrition can be beneficial. The good news is that detox headaches will not last forever. As time goes on, acute withdrawal symptoms will go away, and medications used to address symptoms like headaches can be discontinued.
What causes detox headaches?
The body and brain go through an adjustment period when you first stop using alcohol or other drugs. Detox headaches stem from the sudden absence of the effects of alcohol or other drugs, which can cause things like changes in blood pressure and neurotransmitters in the brain. The professionals at Four Seasons Detox can help you get through this stage.
How long do detox headaches last?
The exact duration of headaches from drug and alcohol detox can differ. Factors affecting the length of withdrawal symptoms, like headaches, can include but aren’t limited to the type of substance, the amount you used, and the frequency of use.
Is drug detox covered by insurance?
Yes. Drug and alcohol detox programs can be covered by insurance. Four Seasons Detox accepts private health insurance and other forms of payment. To verify your insurance coverage for medical detox and addiction treatment at our center, please call our admissions line to speak with a staff member.
What are some common drug and alcohol detox symptoms?
Headaches are just one possible symptom associated with drug and alcohol detox. Changes in sleep patterns (e.g., insomnia), feelings of anxiety or depression, sweating, chills, muscle aches, fatigue, and gastrointestinal distress are other examples of common drug and alcohol withdrawal symptoms.
