Addiction is one of the most challenging diseases to treat. Anyone who knows someone who has suffered from drug abuse, substance abuse, or addiction understands that this is an illness that doesn’t just impact the individual, but also their family and friends. It’s important for everyone to know about the various treatment options that are available.
One option that you may have heard about is called medical detoxification, detox for short. This option is often a crucial first step to getting sober.
What is Medical Detox?
Medical detoxification is the process of ridding the body from toxins with the aid of medical professionals. The goal of detox is to clear the body while managing withdrawal symptoms.
When someone is addicted to drugs or alcohol, the body is conditioned to think that it requires these substances to stay alive. As a result, develop cravings. These cravings can be so intense that they cause someone to relapse.
What are the Benefits of Medical Detox?
If someone is abusing drugs or alcohol, we strongly recommend detoxing with trained medical professionals. The detox process can be hard on the body and there are side effects. The pros to medical detox completely outweigh the cons.
Supervision is Important
One of the most important reasons why someone needs to go through medical detox is the supervision provided. Medical detox provides staff who can dedicate themselves to the needs of an addict 24 hours per day, seven days per week. These medical professionals are equipped to handle the emotional and physical symptoms of withdrawal appropriately. Depending on the substance to which the individual is addicted to, the withdrawal process can be particularly severe.
Many people want to make sure they don’t relapse during this time. Medical professionals have numerous tools at their disposal to make sure this process is as comfortable as possible. While it can be hard for someone to be made completely comfortable and at ease, this is certainly better than having to go through this process alone.
Withdrawals Can Be Fatal
Depending on what substance someone is addicted to, there are life-threatening forms of withdrawal that might ensue. One of the most frequently discussed types of withdrawal is caused by benzodiazepine abuse. These highly-addictive prescription medications can lead to seizures. Seizures take place when the neurons of the brain start to fire in an uncontrolled manner. If this process is allowed to continue, it can lead to permanent brain damage.
Alcohol withdrawals can also be fatal. Serious alcohol abuse can lead to delirium tremens. Symptoms include shaking uncontrollably, major confusion, and even hallucinations. Symptoms can start as soon as 48 hours after the last drink. This can be fatal because while the symptoms are occurring, severe mental and nervous system changes are occurring as well. If you or someone you know is looking to stop abusing benzodiazepines or alcohol, please seek medical detox immediately.
Protection from Stress
Withdrawing at a medical detox facility will protect someone from the many outside factors that trigger a relapse. If someone tries to detox at home, they may continue to socialize with their circle of friends who use drugs or alcohol.
Stressors such as relationships and work can easily derail someone from the recovery process. It’s important to take care of your body and once you start removing the drugs from your system, you don’t want to add them back in.
Without tension, work responsibilities, and other triggers, people will be able to get started with the healing process. In medical detox, people will be able to focus on the most important task, which is trying to get better and stay better.
Let Us Help You
At Enlight Treatment Center, we are a drug & alcohol treatment program in Moorpark, CA that provides medical detox as well as inpatient options for addiction treatment. We cannot stress enough, if you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, please don’t try to detox alone. This can be extremely detrimental to one’s health.
We are proud to provide a unique dual-diagnosis program that combines traditional treatment and modern, innovative therapies that can assist you and your loved ones in overcoming substance abuse for good. If you would like to learn more about our drug abuse and addiction treatment services in Moorpark, CA contact us today!
