Drug Detox A Few Things You Need To Know

Drug detox is something no drug addict or alcoholic looks forward to. A person needing drug detox goes through an uncomfortable, sometimes painful withdrawal from the drug as it leaves their body. The withdrawal process can be so difficult that many people end up staying on drugs because they can’t tolerate the symptoms well enough to stay clean for long. Unfortunately, a person does have to go through this if they decide to get sober. Fortunately, there are many great drug detox services available today, both as independent facilities and as part of drug rehab centers. Here are some of the things you need to know about drug detox.

Difference Between Drug Detox and Drug Rehab

Drug detox is not drug rehab. Detox is simply detoxifying the body from the chemicals, nothing more. Drug rehab is a more long-term therapeutic service done by trained drug addiction therapists. Drug rehab involves individual talk therapy, group therapy sessions, twelve step principles, sometimes holistic therapies like yoga and meditation, and is often done in a 30-90 day residential setting.

Drug detox services will be much shorter, usually just a few days. Some drugs create withdrawal symptoms for several days to a few weeks after the majority of the drugs have left the body. However, the addict may still stay only through the worst couple of days at the beginning until the symptoms are more manageable.

Drug detox services have caring professionals that offer medical and emotional support. However, they do not provide the important personal therapy work done at a drug rehab center. Drug detox is an important part of getting sober, but it is only a small part of the big picture. Drug rehab is usually necessary to create a foundation for lasting sobriety.

Drug Detox More Comfortable But Not Perfect

Drug detox, however well done, can still be uncomfortable. The ultimate goal with drug detox is to make withdrawal symptom-free. But no medicine can take the place of good rest, good nutrition, and a healthy body. Medicine and a comfortable location will certainly make the detox process more tolerable, but it does not guarantee that an addict won’t feel some discomfort from the process. Drug detox still makes much more sense than a cold turkey approach. The emotional and medical support can make the withdrawal step successful rather than another frustrating cycle.

Use Drug Detox And Start A Sober Life

If you know you are facing drug withdrawal at some point, do it in a professional drug detox setting. What once may have been a roadblock can be a point of inspiration and courage in your life. You can overcome an important hurdle to your sobriety. For best and longest lasting results, do your drug detox as part of a comprehensive drug rehab stay. Contact your local drug rehab or drug detox center to see what your options are and to ask questions.

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This entry was posted on Tuesday, December 22nd, 2009 at 3:25 pm in Drug Addiction Treatment

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