Addiction has a lot of negative consequences both on the mind and on the body. Fighting addiction and its effects are never easy, but there are many ways to do it.
During quitting an addiction like smoking or drug use, the body is prone to some reactions. This is often referred to as the body going cold turkey or undergoing withdrawal symptoms. This could have a lot of damaging effects on the body of the addict, and overcoming these periods is important for the recovery journey of an addict. Sometimes to ease this process, a recovering addict is asked to detox.
In this post, we will look at detoxification and when it should be employed, if at all, during the recovery process of addiction.
Detox LA is a Los Angeles drug and alcohol detox center that offers comprehensive treatment. Contact us today to learn more.
What is Drug Detox?
Detox generally refers to the process where the body expels harmful toxins from it. It essentially involves the body actively clearing the body off drugs or alcohol.
The goal of detox is to deal with withdrawal symptoms safely when an addict stops drinking or using drugs.
Everyone goes through detox differently. What detox is like depends on the type of drug used and how long it was used.
What Does the Detox Process Entail?
Many recovering addicts and their families are also interested in the process of detoxifying. This can better help them prepare for the entire process. There are a number of steps in the process of detoxification.
Consultation: The first step is to get in touch with a medical professional. These professionals and doctors are better positioned to determine what treatments are necessary and how long it will take the person receiving them.
Withdrawal: The Withdrawal step is an inevitable part of detoxifying the body. As the body gradually ejects the harmful toxins, it begins to react. These effects can range from mild headaches to a stronger desire for the drug or alcohol being thrown out.
It doesn’t matter what sort of substance you are recovering from, alcohol or drugs; withdrawal symptoms are quite similar. Most of the time, the type of withdrawal a person goes through depends on how long they have been addicted, how their body and mind are right now, and even the type of drug they were using.
Common withdrawal symptoms include:
- Anxiety
- Sweating
- Muscle and bone pains
- Irritability
- Exhaustion
- Insomnia
- Extreme mood swings
Medication: During the detox process, patients may need medication when they start feeling different withdrawal levels. These medications are usually given to reduce the pain or, better still, ease the process of withdrawals. It should be noted that no medications completely remove withdrawal symptoms, but some medications can help with symptoms like depression, anxiety, slight physical pains, and the like.
24/7 support during the recovery process: Detoxification is not simple; people going through it require all the support they can get. Research has shown that people supported through this process often have better results than those who aren’t.
Is Medical Detox effective?
Medical detox is often considered a first-stage approach to overcoming substance addiction. It is effective in helping the body get rid of the harmful toxins accumulated from years of addiction to these substances.
Beyond expelling toxins, there is still a need for a more comprehensive process of behavioral therapy, medication, and support.
When is Detox Needed?
When is detox needed in the process of withdrawal management? This is a question that doesn’t lend itself to a straightforward answer. Sometimes detoxification is unnecessary or could prove quite harmful to the patient, and a medical assessment should be taken before embarking on the process. There are also situations where without detoxification, achieving the goal of freedom from addiction could be compromised.
A more holistic view of the addict’s condition would better determine the necessary action and when to embark on a detox.
When asked how long detox takes, there are also no simple answers.
What Are the Benefits of Drug Detox?
Drug detox has a couple of benefits. Some of these benefits include the following;
- The body and mind become free from the substances’ influence after being removed.
- It helps improve the relationship between a person and those around them.
- It usually serves as the first step to better behavioral transformation.
- People who have gone through detoxification often record an increase in their self-esteem.
- Detox can help spot other underlying ailments and provide a way to address them.
Detox LA offers Comprehensive Drug and Alcohol Detox services.
Often, understanding when detox is needed lies solely on the professional consulted in the first stage of the withdrawal management process. Once confirmed, detoxification can be a huge step forward in beating addiction.
To get the best detox services, reaching out to the best is essential. Detox LA provides comprehensive drug and alcohol detox services that consider the patient’s needs and provide solutions tailored to help the patient in the long run. Contact us today to learn more about our drug detox programs.