Medical Detox in Denton, TX
Substance abuse causes changes in a person's brain. While the abuser may think only of the effects of feeling "high," the brain is starting to change and become addicted to the substance. As a result, what was once something a person used "for fun" or socially becomes a substance they feel they cannot live without. When a person suffers from substance abuse, they are mentally and physically addicted to that substance. As a result, a person will experience physical withdrawal symptoms when they aren't using that substance. The withdrawal symptoms can range from mild to severe, depending upon a person's history of abuse. When a person is ready to quit abusing drugs and wants to minimize the side effects of withdrawal, medical detox in Denton can help.
Medical detox for addiction is a short-term treatment option that allows a person to receive medications, nutrition, and/or intravenous solutions as a means to support them when they go through the detox process. Medical detox programs emerged as an option for drug rehabilitation treatment programs in Denton when researchers found that fear of serious side effects of withdrawal were one of the reasons why a person wouldn't stop abusing drugs. When a person seeks medical detox in Denton, they are saying they want to have the best chance possible to become drug-free and move forward with their life in a healthier manner.
Withdrawal Symptoms Associated With Medical Detox
Several factors come into play when determining the potential extent of symptoms when a person is going through detox. Each substance of abuse has unique effects on the brain and body. Each person is also different in terms of their physical body chemistry and health history. Also, a person with a long history of substance abuse or who abuses a large amount of drugs or alcohol on a daily basis is more likely to experience severe symptoms. However, all people who suffer from addiction can benefit from medical detox for addiction.
A medical detox center's professionals are well-versed in the kinds of withdrawal symptoms a person may experience when they abuse drugs or alcohol. As a result, they are better able to anticipate possible side effects of withdrawal more fully than a person who is detoxing at home and never gone through the symptoms before. For example, opiate withdrawals, such as to heroin or prescription painkillers, can cause symptoms that include:
- Agitation
- Anxiety
- Diarrhea
- Muscle pain
- Nausea
- Vomiting
While these symptoms are not life-threatening, a person going through withdrawals will experience strong cravings that are often difficult to overcome without professional assistance and intervention.
Methamphetamine abuse is on the opposite side of the spectrum in terms of withdrawal symptoms because it speeds up the central nervous system while opioids slow it. When a person stops taking methamphetamine, their symptoms are the result of a central nervous system that has suddenly slowed. Symptoms include:
- Feeling excessively sleepy
- Increased appetite
- Paranoia
- Severe depression, which can sometimes lead to thoughts of suicide
When a person chooses to enter a medical detox treatment facility, experts at the facility will explain the potential withdrawal effects. They may review some of the available medications, such as anti-nausea and anti-anxiety medicines, that can help reduce withdrawal symptoms.
Why Is It Dangerous to Detox at Home?
Detoxing at home can be dangerous on many levels. First, it can be physically dangerous. It is difficult to predict the severity of withdrawal symptoms in individuals. This is especially true for alcohol withdrawals, which can lead to a dangerous syndrome known as the delirium tremens or DT's.
Another reason why it is dangerous to detox at home is not undergoing relapse prevention in Denton. A person is not aware of the peaks of drug withdrawal. Just when they are about to finish going through the worst symptoms, they may decide they can't take anymore and start using drugs again. They may even use more because they just want to take the symptoms away. Unfortunately, this can lead to greater incidence of drug overdose and adverse health outcomes.
Why Should I Enter a Medical Detox Center?
The unpredictable nature of drug detox combined with the ability to minimize withdrawal symptoms whenever possible make medical detox in Denton an advantageous choice for those suffering from drug addiction. Through participation at a medical detox program, a person can receive support immediately for withdrawals and referrals for what is to come as they continue their sobriety journey. While medical detox programs may be the first step of treatment, they are the first one on the road to long-term drug abstinence. Call us now at (877) 804-1531.