Often, the barrier that keeps individuals from pursuing a life in recovery is the knowledge that the first step—withdrawal and detox—is mentally taxing and physically and psychologically demanding. The detox process can be very painful. It can even create or exacerbate risks to your health. This is especially when you attempt it without medical supervision during withdrawals. So why do so many people attempt to do it on their own?
There are so many potentials for things to go wrong when choosing to pursue sobriety and beginning withdrawal and detoxification. The process itself can be dangerous. This is especially true when you have not prepared yourself with a supportive community and an appropriate environment. Detox can also worsen preexisting health conditions or cause a return to drug or alcohol abuse if not handled properly. Sometimes even mild symptoms, like fever or insomnia, can prevent someone from following through with the help of a medical detox center, potentially worsening the addiction.
The act of abstaining from use is the first step. However, it is only the very beginning of the recovery process. Having a medically supervised detox can be the right choice. It’s the best way to make sure that your first step into recovery actually starts you on the path toward where you want to be.
What to Expect During Medical Detox
Withdrawal generally begins within eight to 24 hours of last substance consumption, sometimes sooner. Depending on the substance and how long it has been used, withdrawal can last anywhere from a few days to a few weeks.
Being aware of the potential reactions the body may go through can help to prepare you for the detox process.
Some of the foremost commonly experienced withdrawal symptoms include:
- Nausea or vomiting
- An intense craving for the drug
- Depression or anxiety
- An increased or irregular heart rate
- Increased irritability
- Confused thinking or difficulty with concentration
- Sleeping problems (such as insomnia)
- Muscle soreness or stiffness
- Headaches, sweating or fever
The severity of withdrawal symptoms depends on the type of drugs used, the longevity of use, and the overall history of substance abuse. No matter where you detox, withdrawal symptoms will be uncomfortable. However, they don’t have to be unsafe. Under medical supervision, professionals will monitor your vital signs. If necessary, they’ll also provide medication-assisted treatment that can help keep you more comfortable.
Medical detox is an important first step in overcoming addiction. It provides a safe and supportive environment while the body clears out the substance. After detox, it is important to seek additional treatment. This includes rehab therapy or medication-assisted treatment in order to maintain sobriety.
Medical and Mental Supervision
The strain detox puts on the body is extreme and significant. Facilities with medically supervised detox options offer a safe environment for substance recovery. In this setting, individuals experiencing severe withdrawals are medically monitored and experience fewer environmental triggers to use. In this type of medically supervised setting, the option for tapering or using medication to decrease symptoms is also available to ease the discomfort.
The detoxification process is just as difficult—sometimes even more so—on mental stability as the body. For this reason, medically supervised detox will often include access to additional support staff, holistic treatment, and ongoing care to get you through the worst symptoms.
While medical supervision during withdrawals can help keep those in early recovery safe and comfortable, it is not a long-term addiction treatment plan. It’s crucial to continue with recovery treatment immediately following the detoxification process.
Experience Safe, Medically Supervised Detox in Worcester
At Washburn House addiction treatment center in Worcester, Massachusetts, we offer both detox and residential treatment to allow individuals to move seamlessly from one level of care to another. We are constantly enhancing and crafting our techniques to provide our clients with the best therapeutic options possible.
One important service we offer is medically supervised detox. This vital first step in addiction treatment helps to ensure that individuals are safe and comfortable as they rid their bodies of drugs or alcohol. Our team of experienced and compassionate professionals helps to make the detox process as smooth as possible, and our clients often remark on how much easier it was than they expected.
If you are considering addiction treatment and want to ensure that you experience a safe, comfortable detox, contact Washburn House today. Contact us today at 855.298.3104 to learn more about our programs, or connect your loved one with the life-saving treatment we offer.