|
Detoxification (Detox)
So you’ve decided to admit
yourself to a treatment program for your alcohol
and/or drug problem. You may be nervous in not
knowing what may happen while you’re there. You
may be anxious about what might happen during
the detox. Concern and apprehension are
absolutely normal.
Some of you have experienced the
uncomfortable feelings, physically and
emotionally, that are associated with detox.
Some of you have never tried detox through a
professional facility or by yourself. So what
happens during this important time?
First and foremost, Manor House
is not a medical detox. After thoroughly
reviewing your situation by our qualified staff,
you may be required to stay at a medical detox
before being admitted to the treatment facility.
This process ensures you receive the appropriate
professional care throughout your stay.
Everyone is different when it’s
time to detox, though there are some common
things you can expect to happen. The first two
or three days will be uncomfortable as your body
detoxifies itself. You may sweat profusely, have
shaking or trembling in your hands and legs. You
may sleep some, a lot, or barely at all. Your
dreams may seem overly vivid and real or you may
not dream at all. You may experience bouts of
nausea and loose bowels. You can count on
flu-like symptoms like a low-grade fever,
flushed skin, aches and pains which will more
than likely make you restless and irritable.
There are ways to alleviate some
of these symptoms like hot baths or showers to
sweat out the toxins, gentle music to quiet your
mind, easy exercise routines, lots of liquids,
vitamins or vitamin drinks to restore any
deficiencies and anything else that will help
make the detox easier. Nobody likes going
through detox but it is a necessary process on
the path to healthier living and well being.
If
you are an alcoholic or a problem drinker, the
alcohol in your system will not leave overnight.
For someone who has drank heavily and
consistently for a while can expect a total
detox from 90 to 180 days. But don’t let this
alarm you. Alcohol has the innate ability of
storing itself in the fatty cells of your body
and will release itself, off and on, throughout
that 90 to 180 day period. During that time, you
may have sudden urges or cravings to drink. This
is normal. If you are attending the appropriate
aftercare meetings like Alcoholics Anonymous,
you will have a support group of friends and a
sponsor to help you through those uncomfortable
times. Overall, you may not notice most of detox
process. The initial detox that you will be
aware of may last from just a few days to a week
or two which will be done in the safety and
comfort of the treatment facility. Compared to
other drugs, alcohol leaves the body quickly and
the initial detox is relatively short.
If
you are a drug addict and depending on the drug
you use and how much you use it, you can expect
most of the same that an alcoholic would
experience in detox. Some drugs do stay in the
body longer than others. For instance, Marijuana
can be in your bloodstream up to 30 days. Drugs
like methamphetamine and cocaine usually stay in
the body from 3 to 7 days. Each detox will be
little different than the other.
No
matter which drug or drink you use, the choice
to enter a treatment facility and get help is
the best thing you can do for yourself and those
around you. The detoxification process is
nothing compared to the continued emotional
torture and physical pain of alcoholism and drug
addiction. Everyday spent continuing to drink or
use drugs gets a little worse. Everyday in detox
and recovery get a little better than the day
before it. Which one are you going to choose
today?
By: Patrick McLemore
Go Back |
