Drug detox is an essential part of any recovery program. Without it, residual drug toxins can remain in the body and cause cravings years after drug use has ceased, putting the person at risk for relapse. Detoxification flushes out all of the drug’s toxic residue and purifies the person’s body so they no loner experience the unwanted effects of their drug use. Undergoing drug detox at a drug rehab can provide the additional treatment necessary to finally maintain sobriety.
Drug Detox: Withdrawal Symptoms
The goal of drug detox is to rid the body of all toxins left behind by the drug use. During the initial stages of detoxification, physical and psychological withdrawal symptoms will appear. The nature and severity of these withdrawal symptoms vary greatly depending on the type of drug used and the frequency of use. Luckily, all of these symptoms of drug withdrawal can be alleviated and even eliminated through proper drug addiction treatment. Even individuals who are severely drug dependent will be able to detox safely and relatively comfortably. A good detoxification program will provide medical and supervised care to help alleviate and even eliminate the uncomfortable symptoms of drug withdrawal.
Drug Detox: Getting Treatment
Most drug detox centers simply provide treatment to avoid the physical withdrawal symptoms. If you’re serious about recovery, though, you should find a drug detox center that incorporates counseling and therapy during the detoxification process to help with the psychological components of your addiction as well. Detox alone is not a treatment and is not effective in preventing relapse.
The first step is to consult with a medical professional or a facility that specializes in drug addiction treatment. If you’re honest about your drug use habits, they can assess which type of drug addiction treatment is right for you.
After undergoing a safe and supervised detox, you’ll enter a drug addiction treatment program tailored to your specific needs. Most drug treatment programs offer a combination of 12-step programs, educational counseling and cognitive-behavioral therapy. In addition to these traditional treatment methods, many drug treatment programs also offer alternative methods of treatment. These highly effective alternative treatments include holistic treatments that address a person’s entire well-being, including their physical health, mental health, and spiritual health. Some of the most popular treatments for drug addiction are yoga, Chinese medicine, and more.
When choosing a treatment center, ask if they offer dual diagnosis treatment. Oftentimes a person will turn to drugs as a way to cope with an underlying mood or personality disorder, such as depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), etc. Dual diagnosis treatment will simultaneously treat both the addiction and the underlying disorder so that full recovery is possible.
Drug Detox: After Treatment
The point of drug detox and treatment is to rid the body of all residual drug toxins and to treat the person’s physical and psychological addiction to drug. Even after treatment, though, relapse may occur. This is an unfortunate reality of recovery, but it is one that can be minimized through aftercare programs.
When choosing a drug rehab, choose one that offers aftercare programs to help you work through the difficult first months of sobriety and maintain your sobriety. Effective aftercare can include continuing outpatient therapy through weekly phone calls or in-person visits, or through joining a support group such as Narcotics Anonymous. If an individual is at high risk for relapse, sober living may also be recommended. A sober living home is a group of recovering addicts who live together in order to support each other and provide an environment free of drug and drugs. Sober living is recommended for people who have just completed residential treatment and are at risk for relapsing if they return home.
Don’t let an addiction to drug run your life any longer. Call a drug treatment facility today and ask how drug detox and addiction treatment can give you back the life you deserve.
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