Detoxing from Alcohol and Drugs – Why Detox Is a Necessary First Step

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In reality, detoxing from alcohol and drugs can be a life-saving process for those who need to break free from addiction once and for all. Many people who are addicted to drugs and alcohol go through a detox process before being treated. This is because the withdrawal symptoms of these substances can be so severe that it is dangerous for addicts to stop taking them without medical supervision. This article will discuss what detoxing from alcohol and drugs entails and why it's necessary as the first step in treatment.

What Does Detoxing from Alcohol and Drugs Involve?

Detoxing from alcohol and drugs can involve several treatments depending on the patient's needs. For some, detox may only involve taking medication to alleviate any intense withdrawal symptoms (such as those from opiates). However, it may require undergoing drug or alcohol addiction treatment at a rehab facility.

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The first step in both instances is to undergo an assessment with a medical professional. In this session, we will discuss our goals and how they can best be achieved through detox or rehab. Once we have decided which option is best for us, the actual process of getting clean will begin. Many people choose to go through an in-patient program at this stage, particularly if they are suffering from severe addiction or their lives have been severely impacted by substance abuse. An in-patient rehab facility will provide us with a safe and comfortable place to detox from drugs and alcohol. When our treatment is over at the facility, we may continue with outpatient addiction treatment that helps us learn how to live sober and avoid triggers that can cause us to relapse.

Why Detox Is a Necessary First Step in Treatment

Detoxing from alcohol and drugs is a necessary first step in treatment for a number of reasons discussed below.

1. Detoxing Can Help Address the Physical Addiction

One of the biggest reasons why detox is necessary as the first step in treatment is because it can help address the physical addiction to drugs and alcohol. When we are physically addicted to a substance, our body becomes dependent on it to function normally. This means that if we try to stop taking the drug or alcohol abruptly, we will experience withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms can range from mild to severe and include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, sweating, and tremors. In some cases, withdrawal symptoms can be life-threatening.

2. Detoxing Can Help Address the Mental Addiction

In addition to addressing the physical, detoxing from alcohol and drugs can also help address the mental addiction. When we are addicted to a substance, our mind becomes preoccupied with it, and we can't stop thinking about how we will get our next fix. This type of thinking can keep us in a cycle of addiction that is difficult to break free from. Detoxing can help us break this cycle and begin to think about things differently.

3. Detoxing Can Help Address Any Co-Occurring Disorders

Many people addicted to drugs and alcohol also suffer from co-occurring disorders such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and PTSD. These disorders can be made worse by addiction and vice versa. In order to effectively treat addiction, it is important to address any co-occurring disorders. Detoxing can help to do this by providing us with a clean slate to focus on getting better. This is why it is often recommended that those who suffer from co-occurring disorders undergo detox and rehab simultaneously.

4. Detoxing Can Help to Restore Normal Functioning

When addicted to drugs and alcohol, our lives can become chaotic and dysfunctional. We may struggle to keep up with work or school, our relationships may suffer, and we may engage in risky behaviors to get our next fix. Detoxing can help us to restore normal functioning by helping us to focus on getting better. It can provide us with a time-out period so that we can take a step back and assess the damage that addiction has done to our lives. It can also help us to avoid things that can trigger our desire to use and abuse drugs and alcohol in the future.

5. Detoxing Can Help Increase Future Treatment Retention Rates

One of the biggest reasons why detox is necessary as the first step in treatment is because it can increase future treatment retention rates. When we detox from drugs and alcohol, we become physically sober for the first time in a long time. This can be a challenging experience at times, especially if we use or drink every day for months or years. During this process, we may feel like giving up and returning back to our old lives of addiction and despair. This means that continuing with rehab after detox becomes much easier than going through detox first.

6. Detoxing Can Help Establish a Foundation for Recovery

When we detox from alcohol and drugs, we establish a foundation for recovery. This means that we are laying the groundwork for the work that will need to be done to stay sober and healthy. In many cases, rehab is necessary after detox to address the underlying causes of addiction and learn how to live without drugs or alcohol.

7. Detoxing Can Help Reduce Relapse Rates

Those who detox from alcohol and drugs can often reduce their chances of relapse by doing so. Relapse rates are usually higher when people do not get help for addiction. This means that if we engage in one form of treatment without the other, there is a greater chance that we will return back to our old ways of living. On the other hand, when we get both treatment and detox simultaneously, it becomes easier to get sober for good and avoid relapsing in the future.

8. Detox Can Help Us Stay Focused on Recovery

As mentioned before, withdrawing from alcohol or drugs often causes us to feel extremely uncomfortable physically and mentally. This can be very distracting while trying to focus on getting better. Detox can help us stay focused on recovery by providing a safe and supportive environment where we can focus on getting better. It can also help to reduce the stress that is often associated with addiction and rehab.

For all of these reasons, it is clear that detox is a necessary first step in treatment for addiction. It can help to address the physical and mental addiction, as well as any co-occurring disorders. It can also help to restore normal functioning and increase future treatment retention rates. If we or someone we know is struggling with addiction, please seek professional help. There is hope for a better future, and detox can be the first step on that journey.