In drug addiction and substance abuse scenarios, most individuals with the urge to achieve sobriety seek medical treatment from professionals. The most sought-out medical treatment is the combination of assisted therapy and detoxification. Treatment through detoxification entails removing all traces of toxic substances from your body. These treatments are available in detox rehabilitation centers and specialized facilities like Detox Phoenix.
The detox process is an important first step to recovery from alcohol or drugs. Detoxification ensures physical stability and readiness for a therapy session. Due to prolonged abuse of substances, the bodies become used to having the implications in the system. Hence, during detox, the brain must adjust to the sudden drop of the chemicals, causing withdrawal symptoms.
Detoxification process
Evaluation entails a comprehensive review of drug and medical screening for mental and physical health to determine the level of medication needed.
Stabilization – Currently, the patient is stabilized with medical and psychological therapy. When following a proper detox process, patients are helped to reduce and cope with withdrawal symptoms and prevent complications through controlled and appropriate medical prescriptions. For a successful detox, the process typically lasts for days ranging from 7-10 or even months depending on factors such as;
- The severity of the withdrawal symptoms
- Amounts of drugs consumed
- The duration an addiction lasted
- Method of abuse; smoking, injecting, swallowing, or snorting
- Physical and mental functioning.
Entry to treatment – as the final step, the patient is familiarized with what to expect during therapy sessions. Successful detoxification creates a progressive path to intensive psychological therapy in an accredited rehab program that takes approximately 28 days. To facilitate better chances of success, inpatient rehab is recommended after detox.
Withdrawal symptom
The detox process should be done by trained specialists and professionals within a detox center to prevent unnecessary withdrawal symptoms and relapse. A medical assessment is carried out by practitioners to gather information on individual needs and the patient’s medical history. This aids in developing a personalized detox plan. Every personal experiences withdrawal symptoms differently depending on the;
- How long has a person been abusing a drug/substance
- Amount of drugs consumed
- The type of drug-addicted to
- General physical and mental health
Most severe withdrawal symptoms
- Hallucinations
- Delirium
- Seizures
Physical withdrawal symptoms
- Headaches
- Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
- Shivering and shaking
- Runny nose
- Sweating
- Increased heart rate and blood pressure
- High temperature/chills
- Abdominal cramps, muscle, and bone pain
- Exhaustion
- Unpleasant dreams
Psychological withdrawal symptoms
- Anxiety and nervousness
- Paranoia
- Confusion
- Irritability
- Insomnia
- Depression
- Extreme mood swings
- Agitation
- Inability to concentrate
- Intense cravings for the substance
Types of medications that ease the detox process and relieve withdrawal symptoms
- Non-opioid agonists
- Opioid antagonists
- Antidepressants
- Opioid agonists
- Partial agonists and antagonists
- Benzodiazepines
Detoxification from the most dangerous and uncomfortable drugs, such as benzodiazepines, opioids, heroin, and alcohol, may sometimes feature medications that mimic the effects of these drugs to deter co-occurring disorders and general discomfort. One of the ways to detox from such drugs is through rapid detox. Rapid detox is a risky method that involves the addicted person being sedated with anesthesia and given medications that replace the drugs in the body.
Conclusion
Sobriety and full recovery are easily achieved by following the required steps and overcoming the fear of withdrawal symptoms. Attempting and seeking professional assistance significantly impact an individual’s ability to recover from substance abuse.