Addiction is a complex disease of the brain, body and spirit. Depending on what drugs are in your system and how long you’ve been using, undergoing physical detox is a crucial first step. Does a detox center help with addiction recovery? Yes. A monitored detox is critical in your addiction recovery process. The addictive power of drugs act both on the body and the brain.
Your ability to make logical choices can quickly be altered by addictive drugs; for example, many who struggle with addiction find that the need for the drug quickly becomes a survival need. If you’ve dipped into the household grocery budget to buy drugs or alcohol, you have experienced this alteration in survival requirements.
Detox: Risks and Results
A monitored detox is critical to protecting your health as your body sheds the drugs and the toxins left in your body from using drugs and alcohol. The detox process can be extremely uncomfortable and, in some cases, fatal. Attempting detox on your own can leave you at great risk for self harm. Attempting detox in the company of a loved one can destroy the relationship. In addition to the things you may say and do while in the pangs of detox, you may need additional physical support. Withdrawal from drugs and alcohol can lead to
- nausea and vomiting
- diarrhea and stomach discomfort
- sweating and shaking
- loss of consciousness
At any point in the detox process, you may need to be given IV fluids to support your kidneys and liver. You may need medications to help control nausea or lower your rate of diarrhea. Because dehydration can be exceptionally dangerous, you will likely need close monitoring to make sure that your heart is functioning effectively and healthily.
The detox process can leave you feeling physically fragile and emotionally wiped out. For those with underlying mental health issues, the risk of a serious rebound either of mental symptoms or physical pain is a real risk. Because these symptoms may arise during the detox process, it is crucial that you receive medical support from trained professionals who can monitor your condition and provide you with treatment as necessary.
Many who abuse drugs and alcohol develop addictions to these products because they have untreated underlying mental illness or pain issues. While street drugs and alcohol can impact these symptoms, the rebound effect of your symptoms can be excruciating and frightening. Proper detox, carefully monitored, can allow you to face these symptoms with appropriate medications and care. When you complete detox, you will have the option to move into inpatient or outpatient rehab.
Either may be effective depending on your family need and life situation. Because detox can be so hard on your body and brain, it is crucial that your rehab process include physical monitoring. Supporting your body back to full health may include
- dietary support
- physical therapy
- medication assessment
If you suffered a rebound of mental health issues or high levels of nerve pain, you may need to stay within your detox care center to make sure that new medications and therapies are effectively managing your symptoms. Until these underlying conditions are fully addressed, your rehab process will be more of a challenge. Through therapy, medication assessments and careful monitoring, your move through rehab back into your new life in recovery will be smoother.
While detox is a critical first step in addiction care, detox alone will not prepare you for a healthy move into rehab. Detox helps you shed the physical need for drugs and alcohol. It doesn’t provide you with the support you need to break away from the mental stress that comes with addiction. Your body may not need the drugs anymore, but your brain will continue to see drugs and alcohol as a necessary requirement. Detox centers can start you on a much healthier path.
Our counselors are available 24 hours a day. Call 833-820-2922 for a conversation that may allow you to change the trajectory of your life.