The first step to recovery from addiction is one of the hardest steps that someone will experience during their journey: the detox process.
What is detoxification?
Detoxification has been defined as eliminating drugs from the body while keeping withdrawal symptoms under control. While going through a supervised detox program, people can avoid extreme symptoms of withdrawal that could lead to death. Many substances, from alcohol to opioids to stimulants, need supervised detoxification.
Why is withdrawal dangerous?
It is essential to talk to a medical professional before beginning a detox program Their guide to detoxification highlights the dangers that every drug presents during withdrawal.
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- Opioids: Symptoms include sweating, vomiting, muscle aches, and more.
- Benzodiazepines: Symptoms include anxiety, panic attacks, palpitations, and more.
- Stimulants: Symptoms include tremors, muscle pain, fatigue, and more.
SAMHSA highlights how long it takes for these withdrawal symptoms to begin after discontinuing drug use. For different types of drugs, it could take a few hours or a few days before someone will experience the onset of symptoms. Withdrawal symptoms could last anywhere from weeks to months. In the case of benzodiazepines, the symptoms could even last for years if a patient does not address the problem.
Without going through a detox program to manage the withdrawal symptoms, people are putting themselves in danger. According to statistics, there are many consequences to quitting cold turkey. In the most extreme cases, people can actually die during withdrawal. When people quit taking a drug, their tolerance is lowered. This increases their risk of overdosing if they relapse. The overdose risk is a serious issue because many people who go through unsupervised detox are at a much higher risk of relapse. Therefore, it’s important to consult with medical professionals if someone is serious about quitting drugs.
How do doctors help patients detox?
A detox program can occur in both inpatient and outpatient treatment facilities. During the detox process, doctors can administer medication to help with some of the withdrawal symptoms. Doctors will monitor the patient’s vital signs, as well as any emotional issues they may be experiencing as a result of the withdrawal, according to American Addiction Centers.
What comes next?
Just going through a detox program will not guarantee that someone will stay off drugs forever. Most people who simply detox without going through any other treatment for their addiction will relapse. Those who continued addiction treatment were 10 times more likely to stay off drugs after their detox treatment. Everyone is different, and every addiction must be handled in a way that is unique to the individual. There are an array of options for people to consider after they detox.
The supervised detoxification and residential treatment program at the Asana Recovery Center incorporates a variety of different therapy techniques that can help those struggling with any stage of addiction. Call us at (949) 438-4504 to learn more about our inspiring facilities and find out whether our drug and alcohol addiction treatment program is right for you.
