Deciding to get help for a substance use disorder can be difficult enough without wondering what will happen when you stop using. If you or someone you love has been drinking heavily or regularly using drugs, the thought of withdrawal may create fear or uncertainty. You may wonder whether detox is necessary, what the process involves, or whether you can simply stop using on your own.
The answer depends on several factors, including the substance being used, how often and how much it is being used, how long use has continued, and a person’s overall health and history of withdrawal.
What Is Detox?
Detox is the process of allowing alcohol or other drugs to leave the body while helping the person become physically stable. When someone has developed a physical dependence on a substance, suddenly stopping or significantly reducing use can lead to withdrawal symptoms.
Depending on the substance, withdrawal may include anxiety, irritability, sweating, nausea, shaking, difficulty sleeping, cravings, changes in mood, and other symptoms. Some forms of withdrawal can become serious or life-threatening, particularly withdrawal from alcohol or certain medications.
Medical detox provides monitoring, support, and medications when appropriate to help make the process safer and more manageable.
When Is Detox Needed?
Not everyone who enters addiction treatment needs detox. A thorough assessment can help determine whether medically supported withdrawal is appropriate.
Detox may be recommended when you:
- Have been using alcohol or drugs regularly or in large amounts.
- Have experienced withdrawal symptoms when you tried to stop or cut back.
- Have developed a physical dependence on a substance.
- Have previously experienced severe withdrawal.
- Have a history of seizures or other serious complications during withdrawal.
- Are using multiple substances.
- Are unsure what will happen if you stop using.
- Need to become physically stable before beginning the next phase of treatment.
If you have been using substances heavily, trying to determine whether you can safely detox at home may not be the best approach. A professional assessment can help determine what level of care you need.
Why Medical Detox Can Be Important
It is understandable to want to stop using as quickly as possible. You may even feel that you should be able to tough it out on your own. But withdrawal can be unpredictable, and trying to manage it without appropriate support can make an already difficult situation harder.
Medical detox gives you access to trained professionals who can monitor your condition and respond if withdrawal becomes more severe. Medically appropriate medications may also be used to ease withdrawal symptoms, pain, discomfort, and cravings when needed.
At Twin Lakes Recovery Center, detox takes place in a comfortable, home-like setting with 24-hour compassionate nursing and tech staff. Each person’s needs are evaluated individually so care can be provided based on their circumstances.
What Happens After Detox?
Detox is an important first step, but it is not the same as addiction treatment. Removing drugs or alcohol from your system does not address the reasons you developed a substance use problem or give you everything you need to maintain recovery.
For many people, detox is followed by residential treatment, where they can participate in counseling, addiction education, process groups, 12-Step meetings such as AA or NA, and other programming while continuing to build the skills needed for recovery.
Twin Lakes Recovery Center provides a full continuum of care for people struggling with addiction. Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) may also be appropriate for some clients. After an individual evaluation, MAT options may include Sublocade or Vivitrol, with support from MAT-certified clinicians trained to address the needs of clients receiving maintenance treatment.
Don’t Let Fear Keep You From Getting Help
If you are afraid of detox, you are not alone. Many people worry about withdrawal, discomfort, losing control, or what treatment will be like. Having those concerns does not mean you are not ready for recovery.
At Twin Lakes Recovery Center, individualized care and 24-hour support are available throughout the detox process. Clients can also participate in residential programming while detoxing, helping them begin addressing their addiction while becoming physically stable.
Detox may be the first step toward recovery, but you do not have to figure out that step by yourself.
Take the First Step Toward Recovery
Twin Lakes Recovery Center provides a full continuum of care for people struggling with addiction, including medical detox services conveniently located at our inpatient residential treatment facility in Monroe, GA. Through a thorough assessment, our addiction specialists can help you or your loved one determine whether detox is needed and what level of care may be appropriate.
If substance use has taken control of your life or you are worried about someone you love, reach out to us today.
