Although your recovery from addiction may look different from someone else’s, everyone must go through drug detox as part of the process. Some people will have an easier time than others, depending on the severity of their addiction. Anyone who’s ever tried to quit using on his own knows how it feels to have intense cravings that drive him right back into substance abuse. Knowing all about detox can put your mind at ease when you choose sobriety.
What to Expect During Drug Detox
Detoxification, or detox, is what happens when addictive substances leave the body. In some cases, people can quit cold turkey without serious adverse effects. Other times, it’s safer for a person to gradually taper off their use. Medication-assisted detox in a drug detox center may be necessary for certain instances, including opioid withdrawal.
Whether your detox is mild or intense, you’ll experience some withdrawal symptoms, both physical and psychological. They may include:
- Anxiety and depression
- Nausea and vomiting
- Sleep disturbances
- Paranoia
- Tremors
- Exhaustion
Typically, the worst of the symptoms occur during the first few days. After that, they gradually decrease. Even weeks and months later, it’s not unusual to feel residual effects of drug detox, including cravings and anxiety.
Where Should You Detox?
You may want to detox in the privacy of your own home, but it’s recommended to go through the process in a qualified drug detox center whenever possible. At-home detox may sound like the most comfortable, most inexpensive option, but it’s not necessarily the safest. Withdrawal symptoms may be severe, especially in cases of long-term addiction. Abruptly quitting can lead to devastating consequences, including death.
You may detox in an inpatient or outpatient setting. Inpatient detox is best for those with long-term, serious addiction issues. Medical professionals will monitor clients 24/7 for their own health and safety. They may also administer medications that ease some of the discomforts of withdrawal.
Is Drug Detox Enough?
While drug detox is an important first step toward overcoming addiction, it’s not enough for a person to simply stop using. Without getting to the root causes of addiction, chances for relapse are very high.
After getting clean in a drug detox center, the best thing to do is start with rehab, whether residential or outpatient. There are other options as well, including Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHP) and Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP).
Individual and group therapy sessions provide important insight into your substance abuse. By working with addiction specialists, you can face past traumas and learn effective coping skills. Armed with new tools and stress-relieving methods, you’ll be prepared to deal with cravings, negative emotions and triggers in positive, productive ways.
Orange County Addiction Treatment Designed for Young Professionals
Pillars Recovery provides drug addiction treatment to young men and women in separately located, luxurious facilities in Orange County. Men receive treatment in a peaceful Newport Beach setting, while women are treated in a serene locale in Laguna Beach. By providing a high level of individualized care and using proven treatment methods, our experienced team strives to give each client the best chance at sobriety.
The services we offer include:
- Addiction detox program
- Residential treatment
- Transitional living
- Psychotherapy
- Group therapy
- Family counseling
You can have the healthy, peaceful life you deserve. Reach out to our compassionate professionals today at 866-782-0247. We’ll start you on your way to lasting recovery, free of the damaging effects of drug and alcohol abuse.