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Certain mental and physical health conditions might center around addiction, a problem of substance abuse, or related matters. When they get too far out of hand, you, or someone you know and care about, might have their entire existence revolve around such an issue. Knowing what this process is, why it is important, and its benefits of it can go a long way in preparing you for the journey that lies ahead.
What the Detoxification Process Is
Detoxification is a process where every trace of drugs or alcohol is removed from your body. This means that you should be physically stable to the point of starting therapy so you can overcome your substance abuse problem.
Detox isn’t always a component of treatment for addiction, but you can expect it if you go into rehab. Addiction to various drugs or just alcohol means that a patient’s body gets gradually accustomed to these substances being in the system.
Detoxification is a process where the levels are gradually reduced and then totally removed. During this time, the human brain makes adjustments in response to these chemicals suddenly being unavailable. What most patients wind up going through are withdrawal symptoms.
Why It Is Important
The purpose of the detox process is to minimize the negative aspects of going through withdrawal. A drug detox handled by trained specialists and medically assisted can make a patient much more safe and comfortable than if they go through it alone or at home. Examples of these are medications for people suffering from opioid addiction. For more information, learning the suboxone ingredients will help you find out what it does to your body including its side effects which can help you in your recovery journey.
Specialized facilities have dedicated centers for this, complete with proper doctors, nurses, and medical professionals. According to the National Library of Medicine, societal response to instances of intoxication to drugs or alcohol was handled by legal authorities who might place people found under the influence in public in a “drunk tank”.
Over time, the response shifted to more of a medical matter, where serious cases might be referred to treatment possibilities in their community, namely rehab centers where detox might start the process of recovery and therapy.
The Advantages of Detox
Going through detox can present many benefits to someone who goes through it with medical supervision prior to starting their therapy or rehab.
- Professional Support: Any detoxification process and the associated symptoms of withdrawal are going to be unpleasant. It worsens the longer you continue to abuse drugs or alcohol, so you might avoid detoxing as long as possible. Certain withdrawal symptoms might actually be fatal if untreated, and they’re different for each substance.
- Better Odds of Success: Outpatient rehab can mean evenings and weekends around old friends and being susceptible to old habits when there are moments of weakness. Relapse is all too possible. Going through detox to start a residential treatment program prevents access to situations and substances, so relapse triggers are much less likely to happen.
- Surrounded by Support: Going through inpatient detoxification means two groups of supportive people surrounding you or the person you want to help. The first will be trained professionals who can keep you physically safe and hopefully even comfortable to some degree. The second is other patients also going through the same experience where you all share the common objective of lifelong sobriety.
- Structure: Inpatient programs might not leave you a lot of free time. That can seem cumbersome at first, but it also keeps you preoccupied. You or the person you care about who needs help won’t have time to dwell on the particular substance you are detoxing from. This helps prevent relapse.
- Total Focus: Inpatient detox centers frequently put limits on phone calls and won’t even permit unmonitored visits. This creates a separating space between the patient and the outside world. This not only minimizes their triggers but also leaves them relatively free of stress and distractions so they can focus on getting better.
The process of detoxification is rarely a straight path or a simple journey. However, the rewards for completing this can be astounding. You, or someone you love, might be able to start living life to the fullest again with a chance to put their addiction behind them.
