Fear of the unknown is what keeps some addiction sufferers from seeking the treatment they need when they need it. It’s a shame because there really is nothing to fear if someone is committed to getting help. That is unless they have a fear of trying to live life without being under the influence. One of the things drug/alcohol users fear most about treatment is having to go through withdrawal. Some people even try to stop, only to start using again because of the way abstinence makes them feel.
While fear of withdrawal is a reasonable response, it is the price one has to pay at some level because of their substance abuse. The good news is drug detoxing is not as threatening as one might imagine. As a matter of fact, most reputable detox centers, ours included, will go out of their way to make sure clients stay safe during the detox process. That is the sole purpose of a medically monitored detox program.
They have medical professionals standing by to make sure all clients are safe and comfortable as they encounter withdrawal symptoms like:
- Difficulty breathing
- An unsafe rise in blood pressure or heart rate
- The onset of nightmares or hallucinations
- Muscle cramps, body convulsions, an or tremors in the arms and legs
- Psychosis
- Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
- Loss of memory and or motor control of the body
As you can see, some of these symptoms are quite concerning. If a client were to start showing signs of pain or discomfort, a medical professional would likely need to intervene. Intervention might include administering relief prescription medicals. At this point, we have discussed the how. Now, we want to discuss the where in the section below.
Is Drug Detoxing in a Detox Program Like Being in the Hospital?
There was a time not so long ago that all detoxing was done in a hospital environment. This was necessary because most rehab facilities didn’t have access to the proper resources. That could include being able to afford hiring doctors or not having the equipment that would be necessary in case of an emergency. All of that has changed in recent years. Due to concerns about the consistency of treatment, more rehabs than ever before have their own detox programs and facilities. And no, it is not like being in a hospital. Most detox facilities these days look like regular home living environments. Clients live in regular bedrooms where they can easily be monitored by the rehab’s medical staff, In almost every case, clients are given the opportunity to detox as naturally as possible. They are given nutritious food and the motivation to get exercise.
If they can detox without medical intervention, that is a big win for everyone involved in the process. If medical intervention becomes necessary. it is available. The primary reason detox facilities now look like regular addiction treatment facilities is to relieve the fear factor. It can be quite intimidating to walk into a room with lots of machinery and monitoring equipment. Frankly, that is overkill when it comes to drug or alcohol detoxing. What rehab facilities want is their clients to feel safe and secure while detoxing. A good safe detox program really sets the table for the rest of treatment.
After detoxing, clients go right into therapy. This is where the real work begins towards recovery. While in therapy, each client is asked to take an open and honest look at themselves. The hope is they will come to understand what is driving their need to get high. That is what lies at the core of the entire addiction treatment process. Clients need to know why they have the disease of addiction. If the whys become clear, clients can begin to develop the coping skills they will need to avoid relapses. T
hese coping skills can be directed at the very specific triggers that are causing a particular client to self-medicate. That’s the key to a recovery that will last a lifetime. We hope this information alleviated your concerns about medically monitored detox programs. We want you to feel comfortable with the entire addiction treatment process. Why? We need you to feel inspired about asking us for help with your addiction. When you do, we will be there to help. When you are ready for recovery, please call one of our administrative staff members at the following number 24,7: 833-497-3812.