When a person is seeking treatment to break free from addiction to drugs or alcohol, they are to be commended. Taking the first steps to break free from substance abuse can feel scary, but the rewards are more than worth the cost.
One of the most significant sources of apprehension about getting treatment for substance abuse is going through the detox process. For many, medical detox has been the key to making the detox process more tolerable. Is medical detox safe?
Is Medical Detox Safe?
Medical detox is one of the safest ways to go through the detox process. It helps to ensure you are mentally and physically prepared to begin the recovery. Detox is a challenge. However, it is key to your long-term success.
When a person is addicted to alcohol or drugs, their body is full of toxins. This leads to several health problems, including kidney, heart, and liver damage. The medical detox process helps your body remove toxins, allowing you to begin recovery with a clean slate.
In addition to addressing the physical symptoms of detox, medical detox can help stabilize your emotional and mental health. This puts you in a position to tackle the underlying causes of addiction.
Treatment and recovery have a better chance of success if you are mentally and physically ready. Medical detox ensures you are in the optimal condition to start treatment and recovery.
How Does the Safety of Medical Detox Compare to Other Ways of Detoxing?
There are several detox methods available. However, most of them lack the safety and effectiveness of medical detox.
Quitting Cold Turkey
Some people get to the point where they are so sick and tired of battling addiction that they choose to quit drugs or alcohol cold turkey. While it is commendable when a person decides to try to get their life back, attempting to quit cold turkey can be dangerous and, in some cases, have deadly side effects.
Without medical care, the withdrawal process and its cravings can be unbearable. This is because when a person is addicted to a substance, their brain has developed a dependence on it to function normally. When they stop cold turkey, their nervous system kicks into overdrive as it attempts to rebalance itself without the presence of alcohol or drugs.
The brain starts to send hormones and chemicals to the body, producing intense urges to try to get you to use the substance again. The withdrawal symptoms a person experiences when they go cold turkey, especially if they are breaking free from substances like opioids and alcohol, can be deadly.
During medical detox, medications are used to make the detoxification process more bearable. Medical professionals oversee the entire process, and they are there to help you detox in a safe yet dignified way.
While quitting cold turkey may sound brave, it is hazardous. Research shows that people who try to stop on their own have a higher chance of relapse than those who do so using the assistance of medication and medical professionals.
At-Home Detox
There are several at-home detox kits available. However, like quitting cold turkey, using at-home detox kits can be dangerous and have several complications. When a person goes through medical detox, they do so under the supervision of professionals and in an environment where they do not have access to the substances they are abusing.
However, when people are at home, they face intense drug cravings without anyone or anything preventing them from getting access to the drugs they are addicted to. For many who detox at home, powerful withdrawal symptoms make the idea of returning to drugs or alcohol feel attractive as a way to ease their discomfort.
Medical detox programs can minimize the intensity and side effects of withdrawal. Physicians work with patients to determine the combination of medications needed and safe doses.
Herbal Detox
The internet is home to countless do-it-yourself recommendations for herbal detox. However, you should be cautious before following an herbal detox routine. Some herbal products might be beneficial as supplements to a professional treatment plan. However, turning to herbal medicine as a do-it-yourself approach to overcoming addiction is ineffective, may exacerbate health risks, and can increase the risk of relapse.
Getting Long-Term and Reliable Assistance
It takes courage and fortitude to accept that you or someone you love is battling with substance abuse and to take steps to get help. A medical detox is a tool that can help you down the path to recovery. Would you like to learn more about medical detox? If so, we can help. Contact us today at 833.970.2054.
