Many people that suffer from addiction, substance abuse, substance misuse, or substance use disorder after a sustained period of time using drugs and/or alcohol find that they cannot quit on their own. Some are unable to quit for even a short period of time, while others may be able to stop using or drinking for a short period, but immediately pick back up. Others, based on the types of substances (such as heroin or other opioids, benzodiazepines, or alcohol) become physically dependent and any stoppage of use can immediately cause dangerous and uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms. Even others may use substances, such as marijuana or cocaine, that may have some slight physical withdrawal symptoms, but have even worse mental or emotional symptoms that occur when they stop using.
How Do You Know If You Need Detox From Drugs And Alcohol?
The first thing to point out is that it is always best if you’re using drugs and alcohol to not try to detox yourself at home, and instead admit into a facility, rehab, or treatment center that offers 24/7 round-the-clock medical care and support. This is always the safest option. The medical staff at a detox center or detox facility will be able to monitor your vitals and your symptoms, prescribe detox meds and other comfort medications and continually monitor you to make sure you comfortably get through detox with your withdrawal symptoms managed until you are medically and emotionally stable. This will allow you to then move on to the next appropriate stage of treatment and/or recovery support.
However, we know that there are also many reasons individuals suffering from addiction or alcoholism may not want to admit to a detox. There are stigma and shame. There is the perceived inability not to be able to miss work or complete life responsibilities. There is sometimes the idea that they don’t really have a problem with drugs or alcohol and admitting into a facility is only for people that are “really bad” or that are “addicts.” Then there are the people that don’t have a really good reason not to go, they just don’t want to. They are more “comfortable” at home, or since their detox and withdrawal may not be fatal due to the substances they are using, they can do it “on their own.” None of these are adequate reasons for avoiding or putting off going to detox. If you were suffering from a medical condition, you want to go a hospital or your doctor. Addiction and substance use disorder is a chronic medical condition, and therefore just as going to the hospital when you’re in a medical crisis, so should you seek to admit to a medical detox facility when you’re dealing with an addiction to drugs and alcohol.
Signs And Symptoms That You Need Detox From Drugs And Alcohol
- Any specific withdrawal symptoms associated with the drugs and alcohol you are using
- Feeling sick or like you have the flu when you stop using
- Fatigue and low energy
- Unexplained headaches and body aches
- Constipation, diarrhea and/or other digestive issues
- Skin problems such as unexplained rashes or acne
- Weird intolerances to scents or foods
- Foggy thinking or issues with memory
- Irritability or outbursts of anger
- Irrational thoughts and feelings
- Thoughts of suicide
- Unexplained medical issues or complications that have never previously occurred
- Fainting or difficulty moving
- Seizures
There is no one sign or symptom that indicates you need to seek out detox for your addiction. And everyone experiences different physical, mental, emotional, and psychiatric reactions to both using drugs and stopping the use of drugs and alcohol. However, the safest, most recommended option is to never try to detox on your own. There are medical detox protocols and FDA-approved detox medication that medical staff utilizes through best practices to make sure a patient is safely and comfortably detoxed off whatever drugs or alcohol they may be misusing. Psychiatrists, clinical therapists and counselors, and recovery support staff are also present to help deal with any mental or emotional issues that will present during detox. Culinary staff will make sure that all dietary and nutritional needs are accounted for, and that you are getting the right amount of intake of necessary foods to best help through the withdrawal process. And administrative staff are able to help handle the necessary issues you may be worried about during detox, including communication with your employer or EAP, FMLA, and finding you the necessary time to take care of responsibilities like paying bills. Like any other major medical condition or health issue, addiction requires the knowledge and care of trained medical and clinical professionals to help you overcome what you are dealing with, so that you may emerge from detox in a place of health and wellness, medically stabilized and feeling physically better, so that you may then move forward towards a sustained recovery.
If you or someone you know needs help for addiction or co-occurring disorders, please give us a call. Innovo Detox offers the latest in evidence-based medical, psychiatric, and clinical care for those in need of detox and medical stabilization in Pennsylvania and the surrounding Mid-Atlantic area. If we aren’t the best fit for you or a loved one, we will take the necessary time to work with you to find a detox, rehab, treatment center or provider that better fits your needs. Please give us a call at (717) 619-3260 or email our team at info@innovodetox.com. For more information on our company or services, please visit our website at www.innovodetox.com.