The rate of relapse for those who attempt to treat their substance abuse disorders is somewhere between 40% and 60%. A reason that many of these individuals go back to their substance of choice is that the withdrawal symptoms are just too extreme.
As such, when attempting to detox from drugs, you need to be cognizant of withdrawal symptoms rearing their ugly heads. You also need to understand the dangerous myths of detoxing on one’s own.
Looking for more information on these matters? We have you covered. Here’s everything you need to know about withdrawal when it comes to addiction treatment.
Common Signs of Withdrawal
Withdrawal symptoms are both physical and mental and will vary depending on the type of drug the patient is detoxing from as well as the severity of the patient’s addiction. Some of the most common withdrawal symptoms include:
Nausea
Nausea is a common symptom of withdrawal. Patients tend to experience a hollow feeling in their stomachs while detoxing. This often leads to vomiting.
Tremors
You might also experience tremors when coming off drugs. In other words, your body might shake uncontrollably. This is particularly common in the hands, though other parts of the body can experience it as well.
Paranoia
There are a number of negative effects that crop up while detoxing. One of these might be paranoia. You could feel nervous, jumpy, and like other people are plotting against you.
Depression
Coming off a drug that you’re addicted to creates a seismic change for your body and mind. Therefore, it’s not uncommon for patients to experience depression symptoms during withdrawal. These symptoms include feelings of hopelessness, apathy, and emptiness.
Anxiety
You might also experience anxiety during withdrawal. Again, your body is going through a huge change, and your mind is likely to respond to it as a state of emergency. Anxiety is the natural result.
Fatigue
You will almost certainly experience a sense of fatigue while detoxing. Withdrawal puts tremendous stress on the body and mind and will undoubtedly have you feeling exhausted.
Muscle Pain
Generally speaking, patients experience muscle pain as well. These are similar to the pains you might experience during a cold or flu.
Seizures
In the more extreme cases, patients experience seizures during withdrawal. These can be dangerous, and, in some cases, even lead to death.
Hallucinations
As far as extreme psychological symptoms go, hallucinations are a possibility. Some patients even feel as though they lose touch with reality. This is why it’s important to undergo a medically-guided detox as opposed to a self-guided one.
Myths About Detoxing Alone
Some patients are capable of detoxing alone from illicit substances in the comfort of their own homes. However, that doesn’t mean that they should or that it is recommended to do so. There are a number of myths that pertain to detoxing alone and we’re going to detail those below.
It’s Appropriate for Mild Addicts
You have an addiction but it’s not one of those types of addictions. Yours is mild by comparison, or so you think. So, would it really be a problem to detox at home instead of at a professional detox center?
Sure, plenty of people get away with it. However, that doesn’t mean there aren’t risks.
Even mild addictions can lead to depression, anxiety, paranoia, seizures, and the like. These conditions can drastically impact your physical and mental health, putting you in a hyper-vulnerable position.
It helps to have trained detox professionals around during these times, as they can assist you through any problems that you might end up having.
It Helps the Patient to Feel More Comfortable
Logically speaking, you might think that detoxing alone in the comfort of one’s home would add comfort to the process. After all, who doesn’t feel more comfortable in familiar surroundings, and who wouldn’t want to be in their most comfortable place during such a trying time?
The logic is fairly sound. However, comfort should not take precedence over safety. And, simply put, detoxing alone can be dangerous.
Addiction recovery centers are much better equipped to handle withdrawal. Not only do they have all of the medical resources necessary but trained professionals on hand as well.
In addition, these addiction centers are hardly lacking in comfort. In fact, most addiction centers go out of their way to create a calm and welcoming environment for their patients. So, while they might not be as comfortable as your own residence at first, they’re not uncomfortable places to be either once you get adjusted to your new environment. Plus, you will be surrounded by people who are going through similar situations as you are, and can offer support and understanding.
It Better Enables Your Friends and Family to Help
Not only is home a comfortable place for you but it’s also a place where you have easy access to your friends and family. Logically speaking, this is good for the detoxing process. After all, who better to provide you with love and support than your friends and your family?
And that’s true: your friends and your family are the best at doing this for you. However, that doesn’t mean they have the medical resources or expertise needed in the event that something goes wrong. Also, while you may always love those who stuck with you during your addiction, you may want some time away from them while you are getting clean. This is because you may unknowingly associate them with your addiction which could be triggering.
An addiction detox center, on the other hand, does and will help you get through even the most trying portions of your withdrawal. While you are in detox, it’s not as if your friends and family can’t come to see you. In fact, you’ll have ample opportunities to communicate with your friends and family throughout your stay and treatment program.
Need Help Detoxing? Call The Experts at Atlanta Detox Center
Do you suffer from an addiction? Need help to detox from drugs and/or alcohol? If so and if you’re seeking out addiction recovery in Atlanta, look no further than Atlanta Detox Center.
We provide in-patient detox for a variety of substances, from alcohol to cocaine to heroin to prescription drugs and more. Regardless of your addiction, our team of warm and experienced professionals are here to help you.
Contact us today for more information!
