For those unaware, most people relapse the first time they try to quit drugs or alcohol. And most blame their inability to cope with severe withdrawal symptoms brought on by going through detox for doing so. Studies show that symptoms resulting from detox can present within hours or days after someone has taken the final dose of their preferred drug. For those trying to quit opioids, methamphetamines, benzodiazepines, or alcohol, especially, those symptoms can have life-threatening consequences. When someone suddenly stops taking these drugs, their body begins the detox process, which entails purging itself of drugs and other harmful contaminants. This process can take anywhere from 7 to 10 days; during that timeframe, most will endure what is, arguably, a living nightmare. Most people who quit hard drugs, such as opioids, methamphetamines, benzodiazepines, and alcohol, will experience the following within hours or days of quitting:
- Depersonalization
- Hallucinations
- Obdormition
- Seizures
- Sensory Sensitivity
Additional Withdrawal Symptoms Associated With Abrupt Drug or Alcohol Cessation
When it comes to detox and the associated withdrawal symptoms, experiences can differ. Some people experience life-threatening symptoms on their detox journey. Others, meanwhile, struggle with only mild discomfort. Those who are fortunate enough to dodge the harsher, life-threatening withdrawal symptoms synonymous with the abrupt cessation of drugs or alcohol usually encounter the following instead:
- Anxiety and depression
- Changes in appetite
- Chronic fatigue
- Confusion
- Insomnia or hypersomnia
- Muscle pain or aches
- Nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting
- Paranoia
- Profuse sweating
- Tremors
Why Medical Detox Is a Godsend for Some People Trying to Overcome Addiction
Whether someone is struggling with severe withdrawal symptoms, such as hallucinations or seizures, or milder symptoms, such as profuse sweating or insomnia, medical detox can help. And for many people, it is a godsend. To wrap our minds around why this is, it helps to know a little more about medical detox and who is considered a good candidate for it. Essentially, medical detox is an approach to addiction recovery that comprises round-the-clock monitoring by a licensed physician or nurse and the use of specific FDA-approved medications to help ease difficult withdrawal symptoms. These medications might include methadone, buprenorphine, naltrexone, clonidine, or lofexidine. To help combat nausea, vomiting, and resulting dehydration, physicians might also prescribe antiemetic drugs and electrolytes. Generally speaking, individuals trying to end a relationship with opioids, stimulants, alcohol, and benzodiazepines are a good fit for medical detox. Along with making the detox journey markedly easier, medical detox improves an individual’s chances of achieving long-term sobriety by lowering the risk of relapse.
Why Medical Detox Is a Godsend for Some People Trying to Overcome Addiction
In a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, researchers found that 90% of individuals given buprenorphine, methadone, naltrexone, and other FDA-approved drugs while in a medical detox program were able to quit heroin for good. They found similarly favorable results among individuals addicted to methamphetamines, alcohol, and other substances. To appreciate what this all means, it helps to look at relapse rates among individuals who were enrolled in rehab but chose to forgo medical detox. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the overall relapse rate among individuals in a licensed rehab facility and not in a medical detox program is between 40% and 60%. The agency noted, however, that relapse rates were high among individuals who had a problem with the following substances:
- Alcohol – 68.4% relapse rate
- Cocaine- 61.9% relapse rate
- Heroin – 78.2% relapse rate
- Methamphetamine – 52.2% relapse rate
All told, depending on the nature of one’s addiction, medical detox can make it easier and safer to break the cycle of addiction once and for all. To learn more about this aspect of addiction recovery or for help finding a rehab facility in your area that offers it, consider speaking with one of our compassionate and knowledgeable associates today. Call us today at 833.970.2054.
