Detoxification is the process of removing drug toxins from the body. Because the withdrawal symptoms that arise after you stop taking a substance can be problematic, it is recommended that you detox in an addiction treatment clinic or a detox centre. The symptoms can be extremely unpleasant or painful, and they can cause a relapse.
The type of drug used, the length of time it was used, and how it was used are all elements that can influence your detox experience. Medications are occasionally used to make the detox process as painless and comfortable as possible.
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Your detox needs are unique to you, but there are three basic processes that most people go through when detoxing:
Individuals who must abstain or maintain sobriety benefit from detoxification since it weakens the abuse disorder. Because most drugs can linger in the body for several days, if not months, following the last use, the first and most crucial stage in addiction treatment is removing drugs or alcohol from the patient’s system.
Drug detox is crucial for people suffering from substance abuse problems because it is the first big step towards a drug-free life. Without drug detox, a client may be at risk for serious health issues such as cancer, heart disease, hallucinations, and kidney and liver failure.
The following health benefits are likely to be experienced by someone who has detoxed:
Some people may want to undergo drugs or alcohol detox on their own because it appears to be the most convenient and straightforward alternative. However, this is not only inefficient and unhelpful, but it also poses significant dangers. Detoxification from alcoholism, opioids, benzodiazepines, and other narcotics can lead to health issues if not managed by medical personnel. Here are some of the risks of detoxing on your own:
In this type of detox, you’ll detox under the supervision of mental health and medical professionals, sometimes also known as medical detox or medically assisted detox.
You’ll be monitored around the clock to ensure that you get through detox safely and comfortably, with no medical complications or severe unpleasant symptoms. Depending on the circumstances, you may be prescribed medication to manage your cravings or ease the process.
Medically monitored inpatient detoxification is a service provided by residential centres. This detoxification programme takes place in the place where you’re living during rehab and is monitored by trained professionals who can assist you with your withdrawal symptoms. Because you will be staying in the centre, you will be supported through continual monitoring and care, as well as with vital medications to aid in your detoxification and reduce your suffering.
Residential treatment centres offer supervised detoxification in which you live at the facility and are cared for by specialists. This can significantly help with substances that are exceedingly tough to detox from, such as PCP.
Outpatient supervised detox is done away from your treatment centre. You will live at home but will be treated and monitored when you visit the centre on a daily basis. Sessions may last up to 2 hours, during which time you will undergo a physical examination and do the treatment. These check-ups assist you in minimising the difficulties of your therapy and managing your addiction at home. If your addiction is manageable, this may be an option that allows you to combine your home life and your recovery.
Detox pills differ based on the drug you’re trying to go without. The following are some of the substances and medications used in detox:
For opiates:
For alcohol: Acamprosate, Naltrexone and Disulfiram.
For stimulants: Desipramine (Norpramin) – an antidepressant that is useful for severe withdrawal symptoms.
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Tapering off opioids and other drugs to reduce physical dependence or side effects differs from tapering for the purpose of addiction treatment. Most patients are terrified of withdrawal symptoms such as writhing in agony, sweating, or a powerful desire for the drug, which is why they abuse the medications to avoid the discomfort.
Additionally, patients who are in excruciating pain as a result of opioid therapy are concerned that the suffering will return if they stop taking the pills. To help recovering drug users cope with pain, various medicinal and non-medical therapies are available. Individuals should speak with a doctor to determine the best course of action.
The most common approach to aid users addicted to alcohol or opioids is medication-assisted treatment (MAT). The process combines counselling and behavioural therapy with drugs that have been individually approved to treat certain addictions. According to research, people with opioid use disorders benefit significantly from medication-assisted therapy.
MAT is treated with Suboxone, a combination of buprenorphine and naloxone. The patient, however, should begin taking medicine once they start to suffer withdrawal symptoms. Other drugs for the treatment of opioid use disorder include methadone, naltrexone, and buprenorphine.
Anyone who has grown addicted to drugs or alcohol should undergo detoxification. When you’re dependent on a substance, your body has become accustomed to having it, and you’ll feel compelled to require it to operate correctly. If you stop taking the drug at this time, you’re likely to encounter a variety of physical and mental health symptoms that can be harmful or, at the very least, very unpleasant, which increases the detoxification failure chances. A medically supervised detox may be very beneficial if you don’t have much assistance at home, have serious physical or mental health problems, or have had negative experiences with past attempts at withdrawal.
If you’re addicted to any of the following substances, we strongly recommend medical detox:
Detoxification, or the removal of toxic compounds from the body, may be a painful, laborious, and even life-threatening procedure. Additionally, detoxing without medical supervision raises the chances of a failed detox. It also lowers the chances of someone trying detox again in the future. However, medically supervised detox during alcohol or drug addiction treatment has a number of advantages that lead to a higher possibility of complete recovery, including the reduction of withdrawal symptoms and the treatment of co-occurring diseases.
The initial step for many people who successfully complete addiction treatment is to enter medically supervised detox.
The first stage is detox because you must cleanse your body of the addictive substance’s toxins before you can honestly assess your actions and adopt a healthy, sober new way of life. Detox is the initial step in the rehabilitation process, not a replacement for treatment. Many inpatient and outpatient rehabs offer detox as the first part of their treatment programmes to benefit individuals in recovery. This permits people to receive round-the-clock care while going through severe withdrawal symptoms before moving on to a treatment and therapy programme for addiction.
Because of the numerous detrimental effects of substance abuse on the body and brain, medically supervised detox is essential for diagnosing and treating any alcohol or drug-related medical problems. These emergencies might occur as a result of active use or during the detoxification process.
Withdrawal symptoms might be fatal for individuals who seek to detox without professional help. Many people, for example, feel tremors during withdrawal. Some people, however, may have more severe symptoms of brain injury, such as seizures and delirium. Alcohol, Benzodiazepine, and Barbiturate withdrawal are most closely related to life-threatening detox. However, complications can occur with other drugs depending on whether or not there is a medical or physical co-occurring disorder.
Withdrawal symptoms will differ from person to person depending on a variety of circumstances, including:
Due to potentially lethal withdrawal symptoms and a high risk of relapse, relying on willpower or stopping “cold turkey” without medical supervision is not suggested.
People who undergo medically assisted detox are considerably more likely to complete it than those who try to detox at home due to the pain of withdrawal symptoms. An individual’s chances of relapse rise after an unsuccessful detox effort.
Consequently, feelings of guilt or failure and the agony of withdrawal discourage people from trying detox again. The risk of lethal overdose and irreversible physiological harm is considerable for people who do not finish detox.
Many people with substance use disorders often have co-existing mental diseases or medical problems. Unfortunately, many people are unaware of peripheral health issues because the misuse of certain substances can mask symptoms. For example, a Heroin addict is unlikely to experience the stomach pain associated with Hepatitis. During medically supervised detox, underlying health issues are frequently uncovered.
Similarly, long-term use of drugs like meth and alcohol can result in permanent brain damage. Sugar, starch, or powdered milk are common ingredients in drugs like Heroin and Cocaine, which can clog blood vessels and harm organs all over the body. In addition, intravenous drug usage (commonly known as “shooting up”) is a significant source of HIV and Hepatitis C infection among drug addicts.
Don’t continue to suffer alone from your addiction and take the first step towards recovery. Call us on 0800 999 1083 for confidential help and to discuss treatment options.
BACP accredited psychotherapist with 16 years experience working in mental health specialising in psychodynamic person-centred therapies treating those with a range of mental health disorders including anxiety, depression, OCD and Addiction.
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