Being hooked on an addictive substance can completely change your life in countless, destructive ways. Outside of the many consequences, you might experience as a result of your substance abuse, you might also struggle with trying to stop using. For instance, you might decide that you no longer want to use, or something has happened in your life that has caused you to start considering ending your use. Either way, when you attempt to stop using on your own, you can experience painful withdrawal symptoms that, depending on the substance or substances you are abusing, can be life-threatening. These symptoms signify that you are physical and/or psychologically dependent on your substances of abuse, making the process of ending use extremely complex.
Thankfully, though, you do not have to try to stop on your own, nor do you need to continue to abuse addictive substances. Through a medical detox program, you can accomplish your goal of getting sober all while receiving the professional treatment needed to see you through the detoxification process.
What is Detox?
Detoxification, which is more commonly known as detox, is often viewed as the first step in the addiction treatment process. Not everyone who is looking to recover from substance abuse requires detox, however many do, especially those who are addicted to substances like alcohol and benzodiazepines. Both of these substances produce withdrawal symptoms that can threaten an individual’s physical well-being to the point where he or she could experience deadly effects.
Detox services are often provided within their own facility or as part of another larger addiction treatment facility. When you enter into a detox program, your overarching goal is establishing physical and psychological sobriety. To do that, detox programs provide several different services.
Upon beginning detox, you will be placed in a comfortable environment that is free of drugs, alcohol, and any other addictive substances or activities. Depending on the substance that you are addicted to, you may receive medications that can help you properly wean yourself off of that substance. A medical team comprised of nurses, nurse practitioners, and doctors can provide you with over-the-counter medications to help ease the physical symptoms of your withdrawal (such as nausea, diarrhea, and headaches). When you have completed detox, you are now of clear mind and body, enabling you to determine if you will be continuing on with further addiction treatment or not.
Why Should You Go to a Medical Detox?
Some detox centers simply provide a space for individuals to detox quickly in, while others are more in-depth and offer more significant services. Medical detox is one of the latter, and attending this type of detox program has several benefits associated with it.
Environment
Right off the bat, medical detox can provide you with a safe, secure, and clean environment that promotes peace and healing. As you go from active addiction to withdrawal to sobriety, you can experience several different emotions. Being able to go through the motions without being burdened with external stressors and pressure from others to keep using is a benefit in and of itself. Additionally, having the space to experience upsetting physical and mental withdrawal symptoms can be critical during this time, as you will need to navigate many aspects of this process on your own.
Medications
As previously mentioned, many detox centers (especially medical detox centers), provide a variety of different medications geared towards helping ease the process of withdrawal, which can be very painful. For example, if you are addicted to heroin or a prescription painkiller, you will likely be prescribed methadone or buprenorphine, which can help ease your symptoms, keep cravings at bay, and allow your body to slowly taper off of opioids. Or, if you are struggling with symptoms such as excessive vomiting, you can be provided with medications to control that symptom and possibly receive intravenous fluids if necessary.
Psychiatric care
While medical detox programs place an exceptional amount of focus on the physical aspects of detox, there is also a great deal of attention paid to the psychological elements of detoxing from addictive substances. Should you experience a psychological side effect like anxiety, insomnia, or depression, a therapist or mental health professional can assist you through it. For instance, he or she might provide you with some helpful coping skills, or simply be there just to listen to your concerns and offer guidance.
Access to further treatment
The process of medical detox is usually not that long, as in general, it can take anywhere from a few days to a week to get through the thick of it all. Once you have detoxed, the best thing that you can do is to continue your addiction treatment by attending a professional treatment program. While you are in detox, you have access to people who can inform you of your options, provide you with the names of facilities in your local area that offer addiction treatment, and even help you flawlessly transition into further programming directly after you detox.
Studies have shown that those who participate in medical detox are more likely to continue on with their addiction treatment and achieve recovery than those who do not. This is partly because detox works to lay the foundation of recovery so that when individuals move into more focused treatment, they can continually build on that success.
Get Help
If you are addicted to drugs and/or alcohol, do not try to go it alone. We understand that you want to stop your use, but reaching out and asking for help to do so is overwhelming. However, by continuing to make attempts to detox on your own, you are only prolonging the process of your addiction. And, if you are not trying to stop using but want to, contacting a medical detox program can be life-saving for you.
Do not allow one more second to go by where you are abusing addictive substances. Your life is one worth living, and going back and forth between addiction and short-term sobriety is not only exhausting, but it is dangerous, too. Rather than running in circles, asking for help can help you get over the hump of getting sober and carry you right into recovery.
We understand your fears and empathize with the challenges that you are facing. We know, however, that with the right team of professionals, that you can stop using and begin living a happy, healthy life that is free from addiction and compulsive behaviors. So, do not wait any longer. Contact us right now at 855-709-7186 to learn more about our medical detox and how we can help you get started on the road to recovery.