Best Ways To Detox From Drugs

Best Ways To Detox From Drugs

Whether it is an addiction to alcohol, cocaine or some other drug, the recovery process from that addiction will most likely involve a drug detox. Drug detox simply just means cleansing the body from the drugs or alcohol that were used. This process can take a while, depending on the drug or the severity of the addiction and can be a brutal process. Each person will have a different experience with drug detox but this is a necessary part of drug recovery.

Attempting a drug detox alone can be incredibly dangerous and sometimes life threatening. This is why medical supervision is always advised when dealing with chronic addiction and detoxing from drug use. There are several different tips to help with the detox process and make it less miserable. At the end of the day, if you or a loved one have decided to heal from your addiction, this is a step in the right direction.

Some symptoms you may experience during a drug detox might include:

• Increased anxiety
• Nausea or vomiting
• Difficulty sleeping
• Difficulty concentrating
• Body aches
• Mood swings
• Intense drug cravings

With each person and each addiction, comes different symptoms from a drug detox. The important thing to remember, is the symptoms and withdrawal effects are only temporary. They can feel uncomfortable and painful, but they will eventually go away as your body adjusts to being drug free.

5 Best Ways To Detox From Drugs

Drug detox is going to look different for everybody, but there are a few ways to increase the chances of successfully detoxing.

1. Enter into a detox center. This will allow you to be medically supervised, while in a safe environment around others in the same situation as you. Oftentimes, detox and withdrawal symptoms can feel so miserable, it leads a person back to using the drugs to take the discomfort away. With the help of trained professionals, you can successfully manage the detox phase without relapsing.
2. Eat a well-balanced, nutritional diet. Getting all of your fruits and veggies should always be a priority in your life, but especially while your body is detoxing and learning to function again without the help of drugs or alcohol. While your body is experiencing detox, certain vitamins and nutrients such as Vitamin C or different proteins, can help bring your body back to feeling healthy again.
3. Drink lots of water! Most drugs dehydrate our bodies like crazy. But simply drinking water can help flush the drugs out of your system faster and make the detox process smoother. Drug detox often comes with excessive vomiting and diarrhea, and water can help replenish your body and organs.
4. Stay in a safe and comfortable environment. Detoxing can be incredibly uncomfortable, which is why a detox center is highly advised. However, financial struggles can be a barrier towards treatment, and if this is the case, be sure you are somewhere safe and comfortable during your detox. This place should have access to healthy foods, water, a bed, shower, etc. to make sure you survive the detox phase without resorting to drugs.
5. Surround yourself with supportive people. The people you surround yourself with will make or break your chances of success with detox. If you are unable to enter into a detox center, make sure you are surrounded by supportive and understanding people. The wrong type of energy and presence might trigger you into using again, and that is the last thing we want.

Please note that attempting to detox at home can lead to dangerous and sometimes fatal outcomes. Medical supervision is always advised to prevent complications or death from seizures or body dehydration.

Why is Drug Detox Important?

Drug detox is essentially the first step in recovering from a drug addiction. If a person is battling a chronic drug addiction, and decides to quit, it is no wonder they are going to experience bodily changes and discomfort. Although the detox stage can be painful and difficult, it is crucial for treating your addiction.

Drug detox is important to experience when dealing with more chronic addictions, like to alcohol or heroin, but can also have effects when quitting prescription pills such as Xanax or OxyContin. Not all who are recovering from an addiction will experience such negative symptoms, but drug detox commonly involves changes and discomfort as the body slowly goes back to functioning normally.

Is Detox Really Necessary?

In order to successfully recover from a drug addiction of any kind, drug detox is a necessary step. It is inevitable as our bodies go from depending on a certain drug to function, to learning to function again without the substance. The detox phase does not always come with withdrawal symptoms, but in the more serious and concerning cases of addiction, it is absolutely necessary to be aware of the signs and symptoms of drug detox and withdrawal and have the right resources and support near you.

What Happens When You Detox?

The process of professional drug detox, within a rehab or detox center, may look different than if you are attempting to do so at home. Within a medical detox center, there are 3 steps; evaluation, stabilization, and then guidance towards entering into a long-term substance abuse treatment center. The detox and withdrawal phase can last up to a few weeks, but the symptoms will eventually end.

Drug detox is one of the first steps towards reaching recovery and once you have survived the physical symptoms of detox, it will be up to you to manage the more psychological symptoms that come with addiction. Outpatient, inpatient, or residential treatment programs are highly advised to better treat your addiction and reduce the chances of relapse.

If you or a loved one is seeking information on addiction or mental health resources please call (888) 564-4780.