If you have been suffering from addiction for a number of years and have finally decided to make a change, you may be worried about what rehabilitation entails. Many addicted individuals are scared that rehabilitation will be painful and traumatic, and this is what puts so many people off the idea of asking for help. Others are worried that they will appear weak if admitting they need help.
However, going it alone is not only difficult; it can be very dangerous as well. Depending on the type and severity of addiction you have, you may find that quitting alone can mean experiencing withdrawal symptoms, which can be quite intense. It is, therefore, important that you are medically supervised during this process; a detox programme is usually the best solution.
However, going it alone is not only difficult; it can be very dangerous as well. Depending on the type and severity of addiction you have, you may find that quitting alone can mean experiencing withdrawal symptoms, which can be quite intense. It is, therefore, important that you are medically supervised during this process; a detox programme is usually the best solution.
Withdrawal Symptoms
When a person has been abusing drugs or alcohol for some time, he or she become tolerant to the effects of the substance. This then means that they tend to use more and more of the drug or alcohol to get the same effects and that, in turn, means their body adapts to cope with the increased toxins. When these toxins are removed from the body, it can go into shock. This is why addicts tend to suffer withdrawal symptoms when they stop abusing drugs or alcohol.
For the first few days after a person stops taking drugs or drinking alcohol, they may experience withdrawal symptoms that are similar to flu symptoms. While these symptoms are not particularly painful or severe, they can be unpleasant, meaning that most addicts know that by simply drinking or using drugs again, the symptoms would go away. This makes the whole process extremely difficult
There is also the risk of serious withdrawal symptoms, which tend to affect those who have been heavy drinkers for a long time or those who have abused barbiturates heavily. These symptoms are known as DTs, or delirium tremens. The reason these symptoms are particularly dangerous is that they can cause the blood pressure to raise to dangerously high levels and this, coupled with an increased pulse rate, can lead to seizures or convulsions.
How Detox Can Help
Entering a rehabilitation programme, which includes detox, can often be the best solution for many addicted individuals. Those suffering withdrawal symptoms are medically supervised and given support and encouragement through the process. They may even be prescribed certain medications that will make the withdrawal symptoms easier to bear.
A large number of addicted individuals will give in to temptation and relapse during this stage of rehabilitation because of the withdrawal symptoms. On a programme of rehabilitation, though, this is less likely to occur.
It is impossible to know whether an addict will suffer DTs during withdrawal, so detox can be the safest way to get them through this process. Being under medical supervision when you try to withdraw from alcohol or drug abuse is the best way to ensure your safety at all times.
You may be able to find a suitable rehabilitation clinic that will also provide detox programmes. Middlegate can help you access information regarding treatments available for your addiction. We can assess your situation, advise on the best course of action, and refer you to a suitable clinic.
If you are assessed as having a high risk of developing acute withdrawal symptoms, then we may advise you to attend a specialist detox facility. In most cases, though, you can combine detox with a programme of rehabilitation.
For more information on the treatments available as well as advice and support on the next step of the process, contact Middlegate today.
This article originally published at Middlegate Blog here
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