Going Through Detoxification
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Going Through Detoxification
Detoxification is a process to rid the body of harmful substances, such as alcohol and/or drugs. Detoxification is required before a patient can begin active treatment for substance abuse or addiction.
Three Phases of Detoxification
There are actually three phases of detoxification, or detox:
• Getting the drugs/alcohol out of the system.
• Physically getting clean. After cleansing the body of drugs, the patient needs proper nutrition, diet and physical exercise. The purpose is to restore the body to a more natural, balanced state.
• Detoxing emotionally. It’s important to treat the emotional dependence on drugs and/or alcohol, which may be as powerful as the physical dependence.
Detox is the first step in quitting drugs and alcohol – getting clean and sober. It is important to remember that without therapy, detox alone won’t allow a person to keep off either drugs or alcohol.
Some people who have only recently begun drug use, or who use drugs infrequently, of less toxicity, or certain types of drugs, may be able to quit “cold turkey.” That is, they just stop taking the drugs or alcohol. This rarely works. Why? Because while they may temporarily stop using, they haven’t treated the underlying causes why they began in the first place, and haven’t developed any coping skills to avoid getting into the same situation again.
The more time a person has been using, the more frequently they use, and the type of drug used all factor into what kind of detox the individual can expect to experience. There are withdrawal symptoms associated with detox from any drug or alcohol dependence, abuse or addiction. Simply put, the longer someone’s been at it, the tougher time they’ll have to go through. One of the worst affected areas is the liver, which also needs to be thoroughly cleaned out. That isn’t to say that withdrawal symptoms can’t be managed. The goal of licensed, professional drug and alcohol treatment centers with medically-supervised detox units is to make the patient as comfortable as possible during the detox period.
Can someone go through detox on their own? Some people can, but it’s not recommended. Detox can cause intense symptoms. During withdrawal, addicts should not undertake detox without medical supervision. No one should subject themselves to the unpleasantness and responsibility. Om addition, the outcome is pretty certain: the individual is likely to fall back into his or her former drug-using ways without treatment. A much better solution is to allow professionals to help patients get on the healing path.
How Alcohol and Drugs Affect Detox
Here are some broad categories of addiction and how detox is impacted. It is not all-inclusive and is only meant as an overview.
Alcohol - acts as a stimulant and a depressant. Alcohol plays havoc with the brain and nerve connections. It’s also physically addicting, as in “I need a drink.” The need is physical, and it’s real. The individual’s body has become so used to alcohol that not to have it makes the person ill. Suddenly quitting alcohol can cause convulsions, hallucinations and even death from heart failure.
Cocaine and Amphetamines – These are stimulants that stimulate the brain’s “pleasure center” by increasing output of the neurotransmitter dopamine. When stimulants are abruptly discontinued, the output of dopamine stops. Fatigue and sleep disturbances result. Coming down from cocaine means the individual may experience depression, agitation, drug cravings, anxiety, crashing, hyperactivity, hallucinations, and even paranoia.
Tranquilizers – Benzodiazepines such as Ativan, Valium, and Xanax work just the opposite of stimulants. When tranquilizers are suddenly stopped, the person becomes jittery, has problems sleeping, and shakiness. Nerves are extremely sensitive to any type of stimulus.
Opiates – Drugs such as heroin, morphine, Vicodin and OxyContin produce very strong physical withdrawal symptoms. These intense, painful, and potentially fatal withdrawal symptoms must be medically supervised during detox.
Getting Through Detox
Making it through detox isn’t as difficult as most people expect. It does help to:
• Maintain a sense of humor.
• Keep the end goal in mind – a patient can’t go into treatment without undergoing detox from alcohol and/or drugs (if applicable).
• Take it one day at a time. It may seem like an eternity, but detox doesn’t really last that long. Focus on the here and now and getting through each day.
• Stick to it. Leaving detox prematurely means no treatment can begin. After all, a few days of discomfort is a small price to pay if the goal is to become clean and sober.
• If medications are offered to make detox easier and more comfortable, or to reduce drug cravings, take them.
• Focus on long-term goals – to pursue in recovery.
• Ask for help. Communicate any physical or psychological symptoms to attending professionals. They are there to help patients safely detox and to help ease concerns.
• Get enough sleep. Inability to sleep is a tough withdrawal symptom to overcome. Get lots of rest and participate in meditation, yoga, and other ways to relax so sleep is easier.
• Drink plenty of fluids. Toxins need to be flushed out, especially from the liver. Water is the best hydration.
--Suzannekane 21:34, 31 July 2010 (UTC)
