Different parts of recovery are difficult in different ways. Detox is difficult because it can be extremely unpleasant and sometimes dangerous. However, it’s also necessary to go through withdrawal to begin treatment and recovery. If you are serious about getting sober and staying sober, here are some reasons you should consider medical detox.
You’re more likely to follow through.
Detox can be extremely miserable. If you’re trying to quit opioids, for example, you are likely to feel like you have a really bad flu for several days. Symptoms can include diarrhea, vomiting, shaking, sweating, joint and muscle aches, anxiety, runny nose, and insomnia. Many people who try to detox at home make it through a day or two of these symptoms and decide it’s not worth the effort. It’s hard to follow through when you know you can stop your pain by using again. Detoxing in a facility increases your commitment to starting recovery.
Detox can be dangerous.
As painful as opioid withdrawal can be, the greatest danger is from dehydration from the nausea and vomiting. Quitting in itself is not usually dangerous. However, if you’re quitting alcohol, benzodiazepines, or barbiturates, you might have severe withdrawal symptoms such as seizures or psychotic episodes. These can even be fatal. If you detox in a medical facility, the staff can keep an eye on you and intervene quickly if your withdrawal symptoms become dangerous.
It’s hard to take care of yourself during withdrawal.
When you’re lying in bed with a bad headache and stomach cramps, the last thing you want to do is make food or do the dozens of little things you don’t even think about unless you feel too terrible to do them. What’s more, detoxing alone can put you at risk. For example, if your withdrawal symptoms suddenly get worse, you might become confused and disoriented and unable to get help. Or you might have an accident. At a medical detox, there will be people watching out for you in case your condition gets worse.
Medical detox staff can ease the withdrawal symptoms.
Detoxing at home is usually more miserable than it has to be. Various DIY websites will recommend stocking up on Imodium and Gatorade before attempting to detox. Those aren’t bad suggestions, but medical detox can do a lot more for you. For example, when you are admitted to medical detox, you will typically get an IV with vitamins to replace your fluids and help correct nutritional imbalances. Medical detox can also manage a taper and sometimes give you medication to treat withdrawal symptoms. If you are doing medication-assisted treatment for opioid addiction, you may not even have to detox all the way, which will save you a few days of misery.
If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction or mental illness, we can help. Recovery Ways is a premier drug and alcohol addiction treatment facility located in Salt Lake City, Utah. We have the resources to effectively treat a dual diagnosis. Our mission is to provide the most cost-effective, accessible substance abuse treatment to as many people as possible. Request information online or call us today at 1-888-986-7848.
