Addiction can happen to anyone. Whether it’s prescription painkillers, alcohol or street drugs, it can be all too easy to find yourself in the grip of an addiction that will change the course of your life.
Realizing that you want to reclaim your life and your health is an important first step towards recovery. Many people believe that they can wean themselves off of drugs or alcohol without help, but you should know that this can be incredibly difficult, even for those with a lot of willpower and determination.
Going through withdrawal alone is not recommended. It is far better to seek out medical help once you’ve decided to become sober. Not only will having the support of other people help to bolster you in moments of weakness, but medically assisted detox is typically much safer and may be quicker for you.
What is Medically Assisted Detoxification?
Instead of quitting cold turkey and riding out the withdrawal symptoms of your drug of choice, medically assisted detox helps you gradually taper off substance use. This is sometimes done by replacing it with a prescribed and regulated medication. Withdrawal medications are designed to mimic the effects of the addictive substance while helping your body rid itself of the actual drug. Facilities that specialize in drug detox may be able to administer the right substitute to help ease the discomfort of withdrawal.
Why is Assisted Drug Detox AZ Better?
Almost every addictive substance comes with its own host of uncomfortable or potentially dangerous withdrawal symptoms. While there are a few people who can weather a detox with no help, the vast majority of people will either suffer serious health issues or relapse during the peak of their withdrawal. This is nothing to feel shame over, but it is the main reason you should let medical professionals help you detox.
Below are some of the most common detox symptoms for popular addictive substances.
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Alcohol
Detox symptoms for alcohol fall on a spectrum from mild to severe. How serious your symptoms are correlates to how heavily you drink and your genetic predispositions.
Mild symptoms usually resolve on their own within two weeks and can include:
- Tremors
- Nausea
- Sweating
- Intense anxiety or worry
The more severe symptoms listed below can happen without warning and are often life-threatening:
- Seizures
- Hallucinations
- Periods of extreme confusion called “delirium tremens”
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Prescription Opiates
Usually, withdrawal symptoms of a prescription opioid begin within eight hours of the last dose and can last between two weeks and a month, depending on the drug.
Initial symptoms include:
- Fever
- Sweating
- Insomnia
- Muscle aches
- Anxiety
- Racing heart
Those symptoms can last up to 72 hours, and the following symptoms may appear and last two to four weeks:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Stomach cramps
- Chills
- Diarrhea
- Intense cravings
These symptoms can be severe and potentially life-threatening, so it is usually best to seek out help through a drug detox facility.
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Benzodiazepines
These are “downers” like Xanax and Valium, and withdrawal from any of these substances is typically the most difficult and potentially dangerous of any other category of substances.
One very important thing to remember about coming off of benzodiazepines is that withdrawal symptoms can last for months or even years if you try to manage the detox by yourself. In addition, the immediate withdrawal symptoms can be severe, especially if you suddenly stop taking the drugs completely.
Medical supervision can reduce the length and severity of withdrawal significantly, and it also ensures that you receive prompt care if any of the following symptoms occur.
Symptoms can include:
- Hallucinations
- Delirium tremens
- Severe anxiety
- Stroke
- Violent seizures
Why You Should Take Advantage of Medically Assisted Drug Detox AZ
In addition to the help you receive to safely wean yourself off of the drug, you will also be able to receive supervised care that can lessen future cravings and manage any of the uncomfortable detox symptoms that often lead to relapse.
Medical detox is an important first step in the recovery process. It sets you up for success by giving you a sense of empowerment and control over your addiction. This feeling of control is a huge help in tackling the rest of the rehabilitation process.
Accepting Help with Drug Withdrawal is a Sign of Strength
If you’re struggling with addiction, you are far from alone. Millions of Americans have dealt with and overcome their addictions, and you can too. The key to success is knowing when you should ask for help. Before you can begin your journey to recovery, you must first go through the process of detoxification. This is often the most difficult step, so don’t be afraid to seek medical help.
For help, contact Desert Mountain Detox today, and let us get you started on your journey to recovery.
