When a person tries to quit using drugs or alcohol, they go through a detox period. Detoxing is both scary and difficult.
In fact, many people continue using drugs or alcohol to avoid the withdrawal symptoms because they know how bad these symptoms can be. Withdrawing from the drug often leads to pain and discomfort. What is detoxification?
The Detoxification Process
When you detox, you remove the drugs and alcohol from the body. The body can then return to its natural state and begin the process of overcoming the addiction. This detoxification serves as the first step in addiction recovery. Your body will no longer be dependent on the drug and the withdrawal symptoms will ease and eventually disappear. When medical professionals at Los Angeles detox centers oversee the process, they refer to it as medical detox. What should a person know about medical detox programs?
A Safe Way to Detoxify
A person who is addicted to drugs or alcohol should never attempt detoxification on their own. When you go through withdrawal, you could have several physical symptoms. These symptoms might include sweating, nausea, vomiting, headaches, and body aches. Some people go through delirium tremons when withdrawing from alcohol and these can be deadly. Going through a medical detox program reduces the risk of a person having complications when withdrawing. Medical professionals oversee the process and take action if you have any problems.
A Customized Treatment Plan
Your detoxification plan needs to be customized to meet your unique needs. No two people have the same addiction history so a one-size-fits-all plan won’t work. Your medical history is personal and must be considered when professionals create this treatment plan. Some people need to be treated for chronic pain, so they won’t turn to drugs to control the pain. Other people have a dual diagnosis and will need treatment for both conditions. Medical professionals consider elements such as these when determining how to treat a patient.
Minimizing Discomfort
Many people find the symptoms of withdrawal to be extremely uncomfortable. They may find themselves in excruciating pain when withdrawing from drugs and alcohol. Working with medical professionals will give the person access to medications that ease these symptoms, making the withdrawal process more bearable. Doctors might prescribe benzodiazepines to manage withdrawal symptoms, and some people benefit from taking buprenorphine to help ease the symptoms associated with withdrawing from heroin or prescription opioids.
Emotional and Psychological Support
Detoxification isn’t just a physical process. It comes with a lot of emotions, and these emotions must be handled properly. A medical detox program considers this and brings together healthcare professionals and mental health professionals to provide emotional support to participants throughout the process. Counseling is one way this support is provided.
Relapse Prevention
When a person takes part in a supervised treatment program, the risk of relapse decreases. The controlled environment plays a role in this. The same holds for addressing the symptoms of withdrawal. With this professional help, the addict decreases their risk of using again.
Any person who is addicted to drugs or alcohol will benefit from a medical detox program. Doing so could save their life. The program provides a safe environment where they can start the recovery journey. If you are ready to break your dependence on drugs or alcohol, look into one of these programs today. You’ll find they come with numerous benefits and few drawbacks.
