Detoxing from drugs is vital for both your mental and physical health. Battling drug abuse can be tedious, and many individuals remain in denial about their addiction, often not wanting to confront the fact they have a drug addiction.
A crucial part of overcoming addiction to drugs is undergoing something called the detoxification process. Essentially, detox strips any traces of harsh substances from your body and helps put you one step closer to overcoming your battle with addiction.
While detox is beneficial, it comes with some challenges. For many people, detox is the hardest part of putting a stop to their addiction.
It’s common to experience withdrawal symptoms during detox, and for some, these symptoms can be difficult to manage. When it comes to withdrawing from drugs, it’s best to do so in a safe environment, such as rehab. To find out more, read on.
Understanding the Drug Detox Process
Before deciding to quit drugs once and for all, it’s important to fully understand the detoxification process. Drug detoxification, commonly known as detox, is the initial phase of addiction treatment. It involves eliminating any toxic substances from your body, helping individuals overcome their physical dependence on drugs.
The goals of detoxification treatments are to minimise any withdrawal effects and alleviate any side effects, with the primary aim of completing the withdrawal procedure safely. If you suffer from substance use disorder, leaving your addiction untreated can cause serious health risks.
Whether you need to undergo an alcohol detox or an opioid withdrawal, it’s advisable to consider a medically assisted detox. To achieve a successful detox, you need to prepare yourself for the different stages of the process.
Detox is individualised and often influenced by various factors such as the type of substance abused, duration of addiction, and overall health. While the timeline and intensity of withdrawal symptoms vary from person to person, detox typically follows these stages.
Assessment
Before detox can begin, an assessment must be made by a medical professional. A thorough assessment must be completed to evaluate the individual’s overall physical and psychological health, substance use history, and any co-occurring medical or mental health conditions. This vital information is required to provide a safe detoxification that can meet the patient’s needs.
Stabilisation
Stabilisation is a crucial part of the detox process, where medical interventions might be employed to manage withdrawal symptoms and stabilise the individual’s condition. Detox medications are often administered to alleviate any discomfort while reducing the risk of complications.
Withdrawal
It’s completely normal to experience withdrawal symptoms during drug detoxification. As your body is cleared from drugs, it has to adjust; this is where withdrawal symptoms might occur. Withdrawal symptoms vary depending on the type of drug you’re addicted to.
For instance, cannabis withdrawal symptoms could display differently than those overcoming much harsher drugs, like opioids. Cannabis withdrawal symptoms often include anxiety, irritability, sleep issues, and depression, whereas opioid withdrawal symptoms include nausea, vomiting, hot and cold flushes, and muscle cramps, to name a few.
Monitoring
Throughout detoxification, individuals must receive the right care and support, and it’s beneficial for those who have finished detox to attend aftercare check-ups and counselling sessions. They should be encouraged to stay committed to their recovery goals.
Different Types of Drug Detox Programmes
There’s a wide range of different types of drug detox programmes to consider. Detox programmes vary in intensity and setting, depending on the substance that’s being abused. Medical detox is one of the most popular options to go for.
This specific detox process is done under medical supervision at a rehab clinic. Medically assisted detox is the safest way to overcome drug use; it allows professionals to monitor you closely and administer medications when needed.
However, if you have a mild to moderate drug addiction, outpatient detox might work best for you. Outpatient detox, commonly referred to as home drug detox, allows patients to undergo detox while living at home.
Although this type of detox can be completed at home, individuals undergoing this process will need to attend regular appointments with healthcare providers for monitoring and support. If home detox doesn’t sound suitable for you and your addiction is more severe, inpatient detox is advised.
The inpatient treatment process is completed while you reside in a treatment facility and receive round-the-clock care. Drug abuse can cause an array of detrimental effects on your body, and it’s important to undergo some form of detox as soon as possible.
Drug Withdrawal Symptoms
Drug withdrawal symptoms vary depending on the type of drug you’re addicted to. Some people experience mild withdrawal symptoms, and some individuals struggle with more severe withdrawal symptoms. Symptoms of drug withdrawal range from both physical and psychological symptoms.
Withdrawing from stimulants such as cocaine or amphetamines causes symptoms including fatigue, sleep disturbances, agitation, and depression. Other drugs, like prescription medication, cause similar, but slightly different withdrawal symptoms.
Some common withdrawal symptoms of prescription drug abuse are anxiety, mood swings, brain fog, and restlessness. Managing the physical symptoms of drug withdrawal can be tedious, which is why it’s best to seek professional help.
Finding the Best Addiction Treatment for You
If you want to start drug detoxification treatment in a safe environment, we advise that you consider attending rehab. Rehabilitation centres provide medical detox for patients, helping them to overcome their addictions.
However, finding suitable substance abuse treatment can be difficult. Here at Verve Healthcare, we specialise in finding the best-suited drug rehab for you to attend. Our referral service is second to none, and we’ve helped people up and down the country by connecting them with trusted rehab clinics.
There’s nothing to be ashamed of when it comes to attending rehab; rehab is equipped with detox specialists who want the very best for you. We can provide you with an array of treatment options, making it easier than ever to find the ideal rehab centre for you.
While attending rehab, you’ll be surrounded by medical professionals who remain on hand at all times to offer support, guidance, and advice when needed. They’ll help you manage the withdrawal process while offering a shoulder to lean on during times of need.
It’s not uncommon for patients to experience drug cravings once detox is complete; rehab equips them with relapse prevention techniques that help them better navigate the outside world. If you’d like to find out more about our trusted referral services, please contact a member of our team today.