By Bobby Shriver
As athletes begin a race, getting over the first hurdle can be the hardest part. Just like running a race, overcoming a substance use addiction is a journey in its own right. And the first hurdle to finding lasting recovery is often the addiction detox.
Just like running a race, overcoming a substance use addiction is a journey in its own right. And the first hurdle to finding lasting recovery is often the addiction detox.
What Is Detox, and Why Is It Important?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines a substance use disorder (SUD) as a chronic, yet treatable disease associated with a problematic pattern of substance use that leads to impairment or distress. Such addictive substances linked to SUDs can include alcohol, tobacco, opioids, hallucinogens, cannabis, and more.
With any addictive substance, simply quitting doesn’t mean you’ve overcome your substance use disorder. The harmful chemicals in many drugs can actually stay in your body long after you’ve used them and need to be removed. That’s why the first step to breaking free of your addiction is often detoxification, or detox. An alcohol or drug detox involves eliminating the toxins in these addictive substances from your body through an intentional series of steps.
Unpacking the Addiction Detox Process
According to the National Coalition on Health Care (NCHC), there are seven general steps involved in a drug or alcohol detox process:
- Assessment: A comprehensive evaluation is conducted by medical professionals or addiction specialists to create your detox plan.
- Stabilization: Your withdrawal symptoms are managed to keep you safe and comfortable during your addiction detox.
- Withdrawal: Withdrawal of the drug’s toxins occur as your body adjusts to the drug’s absence.
- Medical Support: Medical professionals provide support and supervision, monitoring vitals, administering medication, and addressing any complications that arise.
- Emotional Support: Therapy, counseling, or support groups are offered to give you coping strategies and encouragement.
- Nutritional Support: Medical professionals give nutritional and dietary guidance to help support your detox recovery process.
- Aftercare Planning: A strategy is created to address your long-term needs, including enrolling in a detox rehab treatment program and adopting lifestyle changes.
Differing Approaches to Detox
At the same time, approaches to detox can vary, incorporating some or all of the general steps above. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) shares that the medical approach to a drug or alcohol detox is led by a physician and nursing team and involves administering medication to help you safely navigate withdrawal.
However, SAMHSA reports that only about one-fifth of all the people who receive inpatient detoxification at hospitals get accompanying social substance abuse support in a given year. This component is a necessary component of the detox process for reduced readmission rates and lasting drug abstinence.
On the other hand, the social approach to detox rejects the use of medication and routine medical care, instead prioritizing a holistic, non-hospital environment to help people journey through their addiction withdrawal. It can be rare, says SAMHSA, to find a detoxification model that incorporates both medical care and social programming.
With that said, at The Meadows Malibu, we provide a comprehensive, customized detox approach that incorporates the benefits of both medical care and social support in a supervised, private setting. “We approach detox with care and comfort in mind,” says The Meadows Malibu Executive Director Michele LeWinter. “We do our best to anticipate and support the needs of our residents when detoxing with both medication and proactive recovery education.”
What Happens to Your Body During an Addiction Detox?
As your body is shedding the addictive substance and readjusting to its absence, you may experience varying physical and emotional withdrawal symptoms during detox. “Detox can affect every person differently,” says LeWinter. “Some of the most common symptoms we see are anxiety, insomnia, tremors, and nausea. We work to guide residents through these withdrawal symptoms with medication, support from therapists, and rest.”
As your body is shedding the addictive substance and readjusting to its absence, you may experience varying physical and emotional withdrawal symptoms during detox.
Other withdrawal symptoms can include intense cravings, depression, headaches, and an inability to concentrate. Specific symptoms will depend on the substance, amount, and duration used. If you do experience detox withdrawal symptoms, it’s likely they will begin to subside after one to two weeks, but some can last slightly longer.
Never Detox Alone
Though you may consider just going “cold turkey” on an addictive substance by yourself, this can pose serious risks. That’s why the detox process should never be done alone. “Detox is important to complete under supervision because it can be a scary, painful, and sometimes dangerous experience if not properly managed,” says LeWinter. “Many people do not realize the risks associated with stopping all at once.”
If detoxing alone, it’s highly likely you could find your withdrawal symptoms too intense, which could lead to a relapse. On the other hand, when detoxing under supervision, LeWinter says, “There are always medical personnel available to check on you, keep you safe, and provide medication to make the process much more comfortable.”
Find Lasting Recovery at The Meadows Malibu
Detox is the just first step in your journey to lasting addiction recovery. That’s why it’s important to find the comprehensive help you need from start to finish. At The Meadows Malibu, our caring, professional team can help you not only overcome the hurdle of detox, but also develop new habits, life skills, and tools to achieve long-term healing from your addiction and any co-occurring disorders. To learn more, contact us today.