Addiction is a personal struggle and having the strength to get the help you need is the first step in your recovery journey. The first stage is detoxification, when you commit to getting treated for your addiction.
Detoxification isn't just about quitting your preferred substance cold turkey. It can be a dangerous process.
The dangers of detox will vary from substance to substance, but the detox process shouldn't be taken lightly. You should seek professional medical assistance when getting off drugs or alcohol.
When you go to treatment, there are generally four stages of recovery that apply to nearly all treatment centers. The four stages of rehab are:
Admissions & Intake
These processes happen when you first get to your treatment center. It can vary from place to place, but generally; it will consist of a standard medical examination, other testings (covid-19 test, urinalysis test, blood-alcohol level), a family history questionnaire, a psychological assessment, a tour of the facility, and a search of your belongings.
Detoxification (Detox)
The purpose of detox is to help safely get you off your drug of choice and help manage addiction's physical aspects. The detoxification process starts after you go through the various standard admissions and intake processes. The method of detoxing will vary from person to person.
Rehabilitation (Rehab)
The rehabilitation process will also vary from treatment center to treatment center. We can describe this as the process of learning the skills and knowledge that will be essential for your success in recovery. This can include support groups, different forms of therapy, literature, activities, discussions, writing, and more. This is where the real work begins.
Aftercare Planning
Once you leave treatment, you will have to put together an aftercare treatment plan that will include things like:
Local AA/NA meetings
Sober Living Arrangments
Support Groups
Varies Appointments
Other Resources
No matter what treatment center you go to, they will most likely undergo a similar process. Nevertheless, the rest of this post will focus on the importance of detox and how it could be very dangerous if not done properly.
An Overview of The Detox Process
The American Medical Association (AMA) didn't recognize alcoholism as a disease until 1958. Before this, people were held in "drunk tanks" only to go through withdrawal symptoms alone and without any medical intervention. This caused a lot of upheaval for people with addictions during this time. The detoxification process almost did not exist until the 70s for substance abuse treatment.
In 1971, the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws adopted the Uniform Alcoholism and Intoxication Treatment Act, which recommended that "alcoholics not be subjected to criminal prosecution because they consumed alcoholic beverages but rather should be afforded a continuum of treatment so that they may lead normal lives as productive members of society" (Keller and Rosenberg 1973, p. 2).
The normalization of treatment for addiction helped create the best practices for detoxification and safely getting off drugs and/or alcohol.
Simply put, detox is the process of removing all of the drugs and alcohol from your system. This allows for some physical and mental stability before entering a treatment program.
Drug and alcohol addiction causes your mind and body to become dependent on these substances. After these substances are gradually reduced in your system during detox, your body will have to learn how to survive without drugs or alcohol.
Once you start the detox process, your mind and body will begin to fight back. Your body will not like this, and it will let you know. This is where the ‘withdrawal symptoms’ come into play. Depending on the severity of your addiction, these symptoms can be very dangerous and even deadly if not adequately addressed. This is why getting professional help with getting off drugs and alcohol is so important.
The severity of your withdrawal symptoms will depend on how long you have used, how much you use, and your overall mental and or physical health. It is important to note that the detoxification process is different for everyone. For more in-depth information on the detoxification process and the withdrawal symptoms of alcohol, opiates, stimulants, and prescription drugs, click here.
The Dangers Of Detox That You Should Know About
Whether it is drug addiction, alcoholism, or a combination of the two, the shock that your mind and body will go through will wreak havoc on your physical and mental state.
The detoxification process is a vital part of your recovery journey. Having a safe environment and professional medical team behind your every step during detox can differentiate between life and death. Some medications can help with withdrawal symptoms, and other remedies will help ease the process. But, depending on the severity of your addiction, the detoxification process may not be an easy journey. It is best to go through the detox process in a professional setting where medical staff and 24-hour care are available.
Reasons Why Detox Is Important To Your Recovery
Detox is vital to your recovery journey because it begins your treatment process. Going through a medically supervised detoxification process is highly recommended. If you do not go through a safe detox process, you risk experiencing a long list of withdrawal symptoms without anyone or anything to help you. This could lead you to use it again since that would temporarily alleviate some of your symptoms.
At LA Valley Recovery, we offer a state-of-the-art, evidenced-based medical drug detoxification program that provides round-the-clock care in a safe and secure environment surrounded by professional and caring staff. Explore all of our detoxification services here for more information.
If you or someone you know is seeking help for a drug or alcohol addiction, contact us today for more information about our treatment programs.