Why You Should Never Detox Alone [Facts]
Once an addict decides to end their addiction, they take the first step towards a better life. Many will consider the option of detoxing alone at home. Detox is a scary thing, and should not be done alone. The safest way to detox is under the care of professionals at addiction treatment centers. The road to recovery is long with many twists and turns and a lot of hard work.
On the road to sobriety, detox is the first stop. Detox is the process that purges the body of the toxins that drugs and alcohol bring. The standard cold turkey approach does not work and can kill you with certain substances. The Detox process should take place in a safe and supervised environment that will successfully start the recovery process. For more details about substance abuse, interventions, detox, or rehab facilities, please call Addiction Care Treatment Program at 706-480-8733 to start your journey to a healthy life.
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Do not hesitate to contact our professionals with any concerns you may have. To learn more on the dangers of detoxing alone, read here:
The Strenuous Reality of Detox
Detoxification is a medically supervised withdrawal procedure and is often considered the first step of the treatment process. Detox purges the presence of a substance during which you may experience perilous physiological effects. However, detox alone does not help with the psychological, social, and behavioral problems associated with addiction.
Once a person has gone through detox, a person should immediately start a treatment program. A treatment program is the only way to beat substance abuse once and for all. The treatment provides education on addiction and ways to conquer it.
Furthermore, due to the harsh nature of withdrawal, detoxification is often managed with medications administered by a physician in an inpatient or outpatient setting. This treatment is referred to as “medically managed withdrawal.†Medications are accessible for withdrawal from opioids, benzodiazepines, alcohol, nicotine, barbiturates, and other sedatives.
However, there are two types of detox that an addict can utilize, medically-supervised and social detoxification. Social detoxification is meant for those who only occasionally use drugs. The person detoxes in a group that serves as a bridge towards treatment. Social detox is also cost-effective and does not include medication. As far as a medically-supervised detox goes, individuals with severe and chronic drug and alcohol addictions will benefit the most. Detox also saves lives and gets an individual ready for treatment.
Withdrawal: What to Expect
 Withdrawal symptoms for certain substances:
- Prescription Opioids: restlessness muscle and bone pain, insomnia, diarrhea, vomiting, cold flashes with goosebumps, leg movements Â
- Prescription Stimulants: depression, tiredness, sleep problems Â
- Alcohol: Headaches, nausea, vomiting, mood swings, insomnia, nightmares, shakes
However, withdrawal symptoms can be severe. Patients experiencing withdrawal from these substances, especially prescription and illicit opioids, should seek immediate medical attention.Â
Safely Detox with Professionals
It is important to stress how detoxing alone can kill you. The unpredictability of the withdrawal process can make circumstances severe and life-threatening. Having a seasoned medical physician in a facility on-hand can make sure withdrawal is swift and safe. There are around the clock medical staff to monitor vitals and make the withdrawal process as comfortable as possible.
Furthermore, medical professionals make sure a patient has plenty of fluids, so dehydration does not happen. Additionally, they are on watch to make sure that seizures do not occur. During a medically supervised detox, trust can be built between patients and the staff. The staff has a vested interest in making sure the patient receives proper treatment.Â
Why Detoxing Alone is Dangerous
According to a study in the Journal of Psychopharmacology, about 61 percent of people who detox on their own are unsuccessful in their attempt. They feel so uncomfortable that taking drugs seems reasonable or even preferable. The dangers of detoxing at home are immense, and only part of the reason why you shouldn’t detox alone.Â
However, the severity of withdrawal symptoms is often the determining factor in whether or not a patient will detox. An addict sometimes does not want to give up the control they have, by going to a detox facility. Moreover, the success rate of detoxing is greater in a facility. A safe and structured environment allows the individual to draw the inner strength from the staff and others around them. The moral support helps the addict inch towards the finish line of completing detox and makes them ready to tackle a treatment program.Â
In addition, the work does not stop there. Drug and alcohol treatment programs teach addicts how to live fruitful lives without substances. Treatment offers an opportunity to get down the heart of addiction. Group and individual therapy assist addicts in discovering ways to better their lives financially, professionally, and personally. Treatment also introduces better-coping methods so a person can avoid triggers that cause them to use or drink. A patient’s co-occurring issues can also be addressed.
Proper Detox Makes A Difference
Without the proper measures in place, an individual can easily relapse. There are many types of medications that assist at different stages of a treatment program. These medications can be beneficial for a patient to stop using drugs and alcohol. These medications can help a patient stay in treatment and decrease the chances of a relapse. At the beginning of the withdrawal process, the symptoms can be daunting as they include depression, sleeplessness, and other health issues. These medications can help wean the brain off a substance.
Science has also found that stress can initiate drug and alcohol abuse, and many other addictions. The escape from reality helps in the interim but has lasting disastrous effects. Pursuing therapy after detox is the best line of defense against addiction. Rehab treatment programs teach addicts ways to combat the triggers that cause them to drink or use. When better-coping methods are in place, an individual can sustain long-lasting recovery.
Detoxing Saves Lives. Get Help Today.
Finally, when receiving treatment there are no shortcuts or easy ways to sobriety. There is a lot of work that goes to achieving sobriety and maintaining it. A rehab treatment program addresses the physical, mental, and psychological facets of an individual. No journey to sobriety is the same. Treatment is all about building a foundation, mending broken relationships, and building a “new you!” In order to build the new you, you must first tend to the physical and get the substance out of your system. Once you have a free and clear mind, you are ready to make changes and live your best life. Detox can provide that, but detox alone does not cure addiction. Detox is simply a prelude to treatment. A person should not detox alone, plain and simple. It is your life that is the most important not just for yourself, but for others.
In conclusion, the road to recovery starts with making a phone call to a compassionate recovery counselor and having the desire to end addiction once and for all. In addition, rehab treatment provides solace for addicts looking for a second chance at life. For more details about drug abuse, alcohol abuse, interventions, detox, or rehab facilities, please call Addiction Care Treatment Program at 706-480-8733. There is help available to you. Get started on your journey to a sober and clean life today.
To speak with someone about your situation and get a free consultation, call Addiction Care Treatment Program at 706-480-8733 today!