When a person has an active addiction to alcohol or drugs, it is a challenging situation. Their bodies have become accustomed to the toxic substances they are regularly consuming. A person with an active addiction often reaches a point where they want to detox and end their chemical dependency. The best situation in which to experience this is in a medical detox situation. This will make the experience as comfortable as possible. There are certain things a person going through detox can expect to experience.
Withdrawal
When an individual uses certain drugs or drinks alcohol regularly, their brain and body adjust to the presence of these toxic substances. Once this happens, an individual has become physiologically dependent on the substance they are using. These are people who have become dependent on these toxic substances to function and feel normal. When individuals develop serious levels of dependence, withdrawal symptoms are an inevitable response to the sudden absence of the concentration of the toxic substance in their body. During withdrawal, a person’s body is trying to obtain a new level of homeostasis as the substance is eliminated. This will result in significant fluctuations in a person’s brain chemicals. This may occur with serious physical and mental health consequences.
Drug Detox Symptoms
A person who is trying to detox from drugs can expect to experience withdrawals between 12 and 24 hours after their last drug use. This is when they’ll begin to experience certain withdrawal symptoms.
- Hot or Cold Flashes
- Anxiety
- Poor Concentration
- Muscle Cramps
- Restlessness
- Digestion Issues
- Sleep Problems
- Night Sweats
Alcohol Detox Symptoms
With alcohol, detox symptoms can begin to occur within 24 hours after an individual’s last drink. The symptoms with alcohol detox will start slowly, they will then increase and slowly taper off.
- Blood Pressure Changes
- Tremors
- Agitation
- Confusion
- Hallucinations
- Seizures
- Delirium Tremens
Duration Of Withdrawal
There are certain factors involved in determining the duration of a person’s withdrawal. The magnitude of their dependence, as well as the particular substance they are withdrawing from, will be the major factors. It can take several days or weeks. In some cases, it has taken months for a person to obtain a complete resolution from their withdrawal symptoms.
Stable Sobriety
When someone chooses medical detox treatment, they may have various ways to help with the withdrawal symptoms.
- Medications – Medical staff may use a variety of medications during a time of detox to help treat certain withdrawal symptoms. This can make certain clients are comfortable and rest easily.
- Meditation – This can be used in conjunction with the other methods of treatment to help with detox symptoms. Meditation is often extremely effective. When addicts regularly engage in meditation, it can eliminate physical tension, provide peace of mind as well as promote a feeling of calmness.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) – This helps people work through their psychological symptoms associated with withdrawal. It also helps individuals address the emotional issues that could be associated with their substance abuse.
- Massage Therapy – This can decrease the discomfort and physical pain a person’s body and mind experience as they begin a substance-free life.
- Yoga – This promotes a person’s peace of mind and decreases psychological symptoms associated with drug as well as alcohol withdrawal.
- Acupuncture – This is an ancient Chinese medical treatment that can help people manage their many different ailments and illnesses. When a person is experiencing drug or alcohol detox, acupuncture can decrease nausea as well as relieve stomach issues commonly associated with people going through detox.
Medical Professional
Getting off drugs is best if done in a medical setting so it can be properly managed. This can be a challenging and possibly dangerous time. It is best to have it done with the guidance of medical professionals. This way when the withdrawal symptoms begin to appear, they can be managed by an experienced and trained medical staff. Managing withdrawal is an essential part of the process of medical detox. It is designed to address the medical and psychological needs of an individual who is detoxing. It is an effective way for individuals to safely eliminate all the toxic influences of substances in a person’s body. A medical professional will be able to monitor vital signs like blood pressure, body temperature, and more. They will know how to administer medications to manage the situation as well as prevent severe symptoms from occurring.
Goals
One of the main goals of medical detox is to provide longer-term treatment options after withdrawal has been properly managed. Detox is important, but it is just the beginning of additional rehabilitation efforts. This will involve necessary therapeutic interventions as well as continued medical care and more.
Eliminating drugs can be scary or even life-threatening for an addict. When a person goes to a drug rehab facility, they can get the medical requirements and support necessary for a successful detox. Are you ready to get started with detox? Call us today at 833-610-1174. We can help you now.