Detoxing From Drugs
Addiction is a terrible disease that affects millions of people each day and destroys thousands of lives and families. Many things can cause the disease, and it can take a lifetime to recover from it and stay sober. If you, or someone you know, suffers from addiction and is looking for a way out, you’ve come to the right place.
One way to rid yourself of this terrible affliction is to detox. Detoxing the body from drugs and substances is a necessary step for anyone who has a problem with substance abuse, on their road to recovery. To learn more about detoxing, the process, and why it might be the right path for you, read on.
What is drug detox?
Many people often misinterpret detoxing and rehab to be the same thing. This is not the case as there is plenty more to rehab besides detoxing. To rehabilitate someone from using and abusing substances, they have to go through a complex set of plans and treatments in rehab. Detoxing is the process of removing harmful substances, like drugs and alcohol, from the body and can be a part of rehabilitation. To fully understand the nature of rehabilitation, it is essential to learn more about drug detoxification as a crucial component within the broader scope of rehab. While detoxing focuses on eliminating harmful substances from the body, rehabilitation encompasses a multifaceted approach involving various plans and treatments to address the underlying causes of addiction and support long-term recovery.
The choice is up to you whether you want to detox in the comforts of your own home, or at a specialized facility with experienced and licensed personnel. There are plenty of centers that offer specific detox programs for people recovering from addiction quickly and in great hands. Getting through detoxing requires constant care and help. It’s often the better choice to go with a rehabilitation program that has 24-hour care.
Side effects of detoxing
With a process as difficult to go through as detoxing, it’s no wonder that there are some side effects. These side effects are a result of drug withdrawal and can range from mildly unpleasant to life-threatening. For most, the fear of withdrawal symptoms is enough to discourage them from quitting the habit at all. Depending on the drug, these withdrawal symptoms can come in many forms. To help you get a better idea, here are some of the most common physical and psychological withdrawal symptoms.
Physical symptoms
Some of the most common physical side effects of detoxing are flu-like symptoms such as shaking, nausea, headaches, and fever. Other side effects include diarrhea, vomiting, and increased heart rate and blood pressure. People can also experience abdominal cramps, muscle and bone pain, as well as exhaustion, and vivid and unpleasant dreams.
Psychological symptoms
Coupled with the physical symptoms, the most common psychological symptoms are linked to mood changes. Irritability, anxiety, agitation, and depression are common. Many may also experience a lack of concentration, increased confusion, paranoia, and even insomnia.
Extreme mood swings are always common and can be difficult to deal with for the untrained person. Aside from this, a person in withdrawal will experience intense craving for the substance they’re detoxing from. This can lead them to do dangerous and questionable things, if not in the right hands.
How long does detoxing last
Everyone’s detox process and story are unique. The length of time it takes for some to fully detox can depend on many factors, but will typically last between 7 and 10 days. It depends on the amount and kind of substances they’re been abusing, and for how long. Depending on the severity of their withdrawal symptoms and how they handle them, this period can last even longer.
How to cope with withdrawal
Detoxing and withdrawal affect both the individual in rehabilitation, as well as those closest to them. Detoxing is hard, and it can take lots of patience, understanding, and expertise to get through. A good way to make it through withdrawal is to make sure you talk to someone about the experience. Whether it be your close family members or a licensed professional, talking about things helps you cope with them.
Talking it out in therapy and counseling, as well as support groups, are great tools to use in these trying times. Prescribed medication from medical professionals can also help soothe the effects of withdrawal. Finding good coping mechanisms as well as distractions can help you get through this difficult time. Once you’re through the withdrawal period, you need to have a plan on how you’re going to stay sober as well.
So there you have it! Detoxing from drug abuse is a long and difficult process, but with the right tools, help, and mindset, anything is possible and anyone can do it. For those looking to recover from substance abuse, you’ll need to understand the basics of detoxifying your body and what that means.
You’ll need to know the possible physical and psychological symptoms of withdrawal so you know what you’re up against. Have a rough idea of how long the period will last, and find healthy and supportive ways to help you get through it. The road to sobriety may be long and hard, but it’s well worth the work!
