When you struggle with addiction, the act of abstaining from substance use can be very difficult. The physical effects that come along with detoxing from substances can make the process even harder. These withdrawal symptoms can be very difficult, but it’s a necessary step in your recovery journey. There are detox programs that can help you manage withdrawal symptoms and pass the first stage of your recovery journey. To help you further understand this process, we’ve outlined everything you need to know about withdrawal, and the resources that are available to help you.
Signs and Symptoms of Withdrawal
Withdrawal refers to the physical and mental changes that a person experiences after stopping or decreasing their use of alcohol, prescription or recreational drugs. When you take a drug for an extended period of time, your body may develop a tolerance to it and dependency on it. Tolerance occurs when it takes greater amounts of the substance to achieve the same results as before, while dependence happens when your body needs the drug in order to avoid experiencing negative effects. When you are using a substance that has a high potential for dependence, stopping abruptly or cutting back on your intake can cause you to feel symptoms of withdrawal. Withdrawal symptoms will differ depending on the substance that you are dependent on. However, there are some general signs and symptoms that are common among most types of withdrawal. These can include:
- Anxiety.
- Depression.
- Irritability.
- Mood swings.
- Fatigue.
- Excessive sweating.
- Headaches.
- Muscle aches and pains.
- Shakiness.
- Restlessness.
- Tremors.
These symptoms can range from mild to severe, and they can last for a few days or even weeks in some cases. Withdrawal can be unpleasant, and in some instances, it can even be life-threatening. That’s why it is so important to detox under the care of a medical professional.
How to Safely Detox
Detox from drugs or alcohol is considered the first step in the road to recovery, and it is not easily done. Detoxification rids your body of harmful drugs and substances while managing your withdrawal symptoms. The safest way that you can detox from substances is to do it under the supervision of professionals.
Going “cold turkey” or abruptly stopping the use of substances can be painful and challenging. Trying to achieve this alone while going through such intense mental and physical symptoms will make it much harder to abstain from substances. Medically-monitored withdrawal management offers you support in the process and allows you to slowly and safely wean off of opioids under the care of trusted clinicians.
During a medically-monitored withdrawal management program, physicians will safely manage your withdrawal symptoms in a comfortable, medically-supervised environment. You will receive support and medical care through services like:
- Medication - Clinicians can employ the use of FDA-approved prescription medications, buprenorphine and naltrexone, to help you detox with manageable side effects and withdrawal symptoms. Buprenorphine is a partial agonist, which means that it binds to opioid receptors and produces some of the same effects as other opioids, but in a much milder way. It helps to reduce your physical cravings throughout detoxification. Naltrexone is an antagonist, which blocks the effects of opioids altogether. Both medications are effective opioid withdrawal medications, and are usually taken by mouth once a day.
- Counseling - In addition to medication, counseling and psychotherapy services help you to work on the emotional and behavioral issues behind your substance abuse. You can focus on your early recovery and learn self-awareness skills to overcome drug and alcohol dependence. Whether it is cognitive-behavioral therapy, twelve-step facilitation, individual, group, or family counseling, your NKRC physician will help you decide what type of therapy is best suited for your needs.
Depending on an individual’s medical conditions, the detoxification process can take four to seven days. At Neil Kennedy Recovery Centers, we understand what difficult process detoxification can be. Our medically-monitored withdrawal management program ensures that clinicians will be with you every step of the way, offering both medical and emotional support.
Taking the first step toward recovery is a challenge, but you don’t have to do it by yourself. If you or a loved one are struggling with addiction, the team at Neil Kennedy Recovery Centers is dedicated to helping you reach a sustainable recovery and find a new purpose in life.
At Neil Kennedy Recovery Centers, we are dedicated to helping provide our patients with the resources and support they need to achieve a sustainable recovery. If you or a loved one are currently struggling with addiction, our high-quality, trained specialists can help you achieve your recovery goals. Schedule your first appointment with one of our recovery centers today or call (330) 744- 1181 for more information.
