Salvia Detox & Withdrawal
Salvia contains the active ingredient salvinorin A that causes hallucinations and is considered the most potent naturally occurring hallucinogen. Originally used by shamans as a healing and divining tool, Salvia has gained popularity amongst teens and young adults as a ‘safe’ non-addictive drug. Unfortunately, any substance that can change how your brain functions have the potential to be addictive and cause withdrawal symptoms.
If you or a loved one needs help with substance abuse and/or treatment, please contact our helpline. Our addiction specialists can assess your individual needs and help you get the treatment that provides the best chance for your long-term recovery.
What is a Salvia Detox?
Drug detox is the first phase in your addiction treatment programme, this generally involves cessation or gradual tapering of a substance so that your body can adjust to a state of abstinence. Since Salvia is a hallucinogen, and significant withdrawal symptoms are unlikely, your detoxification should be handled and monitored by medical professionals to provide you with the emotional support needed to prevent a relapse.
Salvia Withdrawal Symptoms
Using any substance over some time can change how your brain’s nerve cells work, this can potentially lead to uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms when you decide to quit.
Whilst not enough is known about Salvia withdrawal symptoms, you may experience a few of the following:
- Anxiety
- Muscle aches
- Runny nose
- Tearing eyes
- Restlessness
- Sleeplessness
- Excessive yawning
- Excessive sweating
- Rapid heartbeat
- High blood pressure
- Diarrhoea
- Nausea and vomiting
- Abdominal cramps
- Dilated pupils (and possibly blurred vision)
How uncomfortable these symptoms depend largely on factors like:
- Your dependence on Salvia
- The length of time you have been using Salvia
- If you have any underlying health conditions
- If you are abusing any other substance (poly-drug use)
- Pre-existing mental health disorders (dual-diagnosis)
How to Detox from Salvia Safely
Substance addiction, in this case, Salvia, can affect all areas of your life, from work to relationships and even finances, so it is important to seek the care you need. Choosing to stop using any drug should be done with the knowledge and advice of a medical professional to allow you to rid your body of the drugs in the safest way possible.
Speak to your GP
If you are concerned about your usage of Salvia and are noticing a tolerance or dependence forming your first step can be to contact your GP, they can discuss treatment options and recommendations to help you safely work towards recovery.
Your doctor will assess to determine your dependency on Salvia. Part of the assessment will be a Drug Abuse Screening Test (DAST 10) which involves 10 questions that relate to substance use only and does not include alcohol or tobacco.
Depending on the score of between 1 – 10 will determine the level of your substance abuse risk. (Drug Abuse Screening Test, DAST-10)
If talking to your GP isn’t an option, you can contact our helpline and we will assist you with finding the best treatment options for you.
If you are abusing Salvia
Salvia addiction is relatively rare, but can be problematic and should be identified and treated like any other addiction.
Common signs of addiction to Salvia include the following:
- Using more Salvia than initially intended, or using it for a longer duration or more frequently
- Trying to decrease use and failing to do so
- Spending significant time obtaining or using Salvia or recovering from using it
- Craving Salvia
- Being unable to maintain obligations and manage responsibilities
- Using Salvia despite the damage to relationships and/or health issues
- Engaging less in once-enjoyed activities in favour of using Salvia
- Using Salvia in risky situations, such as driving or operating machinery
- Developing a tolerance to Salvia’s effects
- Experiencing withdrawal symptoms
There are options available to you when considering how, where or when to commence your treatment, understanding which option suits you best will assist with your commitment to recovery.
Residential Rehab
A residential or inpatient rehab programme is a private service where you would remain in residence for the duration of your treatment, this may be necessary to remove you from the environment in which you were using Salvia.
A holistic treatment plan where you are considered as a whole is developed with beneficial health-oriented activities incorporated, such as, balanced diets, exercise including yoga, medication, and individualized healthcare that aims to restore your physical, mental, and spiritual connection by:
- Teaching you coping strategies to minimize and manage your cravings
- Keeping you motivated
- Getting your loved ones involved in family therapy sessions that strengthen the whole family as a tool against relapse
- Introducing you to the 12 steps programme and a community support group
- Offering aftercare programmes to support your long-term recovery
An addiction programme that has been designed around your addiction to Salvia as well as your unique physical, mental and spiritual needs won’t be static, your addiction therapist will inspect and adjust the programme as your recovery progresses.
Detoxing from Salvia at a Detox Facility
Each person reacts to stopping Salvia differently and since your withdrawal symptoms can’t be predicted, choosing to undergo your detox in a private residential rehab facility is advisable. In addition, a medically managed detoxification can help with:
- Alleviating physical suffering whilst detoxing
- Ensuring your body’s safe transition to a toxin-free state
- Reducing mental and physical withdrawal symptoms
- providing extra nutrients and vitamins to supplement your body
- 24/7 assistance through the detox process as well as supportive care during and after your stay to help you maintain your sobriety
- Smooth transition to rehab
Addiction recovery lasts a lifetime, ridding your body of the toxic effects of Salvia is a very important step towards long-term recovery, but detox alone is not enough.
Treating the Underlying Causes of Salvia Dependency
Addiction is about more than the substance that is being abused, the underlying psychological causes for your addiction – childhood trauma, dual diagnosis etc – needs to be treated at the same time as the substance use to give you a solid base to build your recovery on.
Currently, behavioural therapies like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Definition, Types, Techniques, Efficiency) have proven the most effective in treating the underlying causes of addiction: This type of therapy helps you to recognize your reactions to environmental, emotional stresses by focusing on learning new ways to cope with the stresses and triggers in your life without drugs such as Salvia.
Outpatient Services & Support Groups
You may want to consider becoming involved in a wider addiction treatment program in conjunction with your preferred treatment plan.
Options include
- Individual & group motivational therapy
- Relapse prevention therapy
- Mutual aid such as Narcotics Anonymous (UKNA | Narcotics Anonymous in the UK)
The NHS has options in every local area that can help you with support during treatment, NHS Choices (NHS Digital: Home) maintains a searchable directory of local drug treatment services.
There may be long waiting lists to enter treatment through the NHS, our team can assist you with an urgent admission if required.
Family Support
There is an increasing recognition that drug misuse affects the entire family and the communities in which these families live.
There has been a growth in carer organisations, most notably Adfam and Families Anonymous:
- The Adfam website (Useful organisations) is very useful and has a list of different organisations that you can contact for support for your family through treatment.
- Families Anonymous (Famanon) is a self-help service based on the 12-steps plan and is aimed at helping families affected by drug use and behavioural problems.
- Longevity of use
- Quantity / Dose used
- Underlying reasons for using Salvia
- Your reactions to the withdrawal of Salvia from your system
Whilst cravings can last months or even years, most of the other withdrawal symptoms you are experiencing will have started to decrease by your second week.
But if you have spoken to your GP and they are in agreement that a home detox and complete outpatient treatment programme will suit you then please follow their guidelines to ensure that your detox is as safe as possible.
If at any time you are worried about the withdrawal symptoms you are experiencing please contact your nearest treatment centre.
