Inpatient Detox Program Information
Detox
What is detox for alcohol or drug addiction? What does it involve? Is it painful? When a person ingests high or continuous volumes of alcohol or drugs, toxins build up in his or her body. When substance use stops, the body tries to readjust to their absence and works to flush out the toxins. This can cause symptoms of withdrawal that can range from uncomfortable to severe.
A person suffering from alcohol or drug addiction will naturally go through detox after stopping substance use, but it is safer to be monitored by consulting physicians at a hospital or treatment center who can assess vital signs and help alleviate the withdrawal symptoms. Treatment provides individuals with the opportunity to change their habits and live fulfilling lives in recovery.
What happens during and after detox? The detox phase can begin hours after substance use stops and may take a few days. Some symptoms of withdrawal may continue for a few weeks. During detox, a person may experience discomfort as the body works to function without drugs or alcohol. Psychologically, a person may feel depressed or have difficulty experiencing happiness or good feelings, but this is temporary, especially if he or she engages in a rehabilitation process through treatment.
When an individual suffering from addiction is being treated at a residential treatment facility, he or she will be monitored during detox. Consulting physicians may assist the individual to help alleviate physical symptoms and begin the healing process. Addiction recovery does not end with detox; that’s where it begins. The rehabilitation experience that follows is what allows an individual to process trauma, learn new healthy habits, and rediscover his or her life.
If an individual undergoes detox naturally after stopping substance use, why is treatment necessary? Treatment can be a critical part of recovery because there are many factors that contributed to a person’s substance use to begin with. Detoxing the physical body is only one part of the healing process. To sustain long-term recovery, a person needs to find emotional and mental health healing as well, discovering new ways to handle physical and psychological distress. Good treatment centers also provide psychosocial therapies alongside pharmacological treatment in order to help individuals remain on the path to recovery. According to NIDA, “Detoxification alone without subsequent treatment generally leads to resumption of drug use.”
What are some common alcohol and drug withdrawal symptoms?
Severe alcohol withdrawal symptoms may include hallucinations and seizures, which is why being monitored by consulting physicians during detox can be very important for someone with a serious alcohol addiction.
If you have a drug or alcohol addiction, you may think you can quit on your own or simply go “cold turkey” and suddenly stop ingesting substances. However, the onset of withdrawal symptoms may be very uncomfortable or severe. It is safer and can be more tolerable to go through detox at a residential treatment center, where you can receive care and encouragement, as well as training and support for your recovery. Detox can often feel like becoming sick, but it is the first step in helping your body heal from substance use. Once your withdrawal symptoms subside, you can begin establishing new habits and healthy coping skills. Treatment is designed to help you restore your mind, body, and spirit so that you can thrive in recovery.
If individuals detox from drug or alcohol use over a period of time and then resume substance use, especially at high levels, he or she can be in danger of overdose. If that person’s body has adjusted to the lack of substances, his or her tolerance to large amounts of drugs and alcohol has disappeared, meaning that the substances can have very dangerous effects. This is another reason why treatment is important — an individual can establish new patterns, find renewed purpose in life, and learn how to prevent relapse as well as dangerous overdose situations.
How do you know when it’s time to seek detox and treatment? If you’ve tried to quit using substances and have begun to experience withdrawal symptoms, please contact our team today. If your condition is severe, it’s important to be monitored and cared for by physicians who can ensure that you get through detox safely. At Good Heart Recovery, we want to help you find the right treatment options so that you can heal from addiction — physically, mentally, and emotionally for the long-term.
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