Detox is the process of removing alcohol and drugs from your body. The process involves reducing the amount of a substance in your body and eventually eliminating it. During this process, you will experience withdrawal symptoms. The withdrawal symptoms will depend on the substance you use, the quantity, frequency, genetics, and more.
Withdrawal symptoms make drug detox very uncomfortable and sometimes painful. Therefore, it would help to know how to cope with the withdrawal symptoms for a successful detox. Some of the key ways to cope with detox include getting professional help, maintain a healthy, mindful meditation, and communicate with your family and therapist for support.
Withdrawal symptoms make drug detox almost unbearable. They can get very intense because your body has become dependent on the drug. Therefore, your body needs the drugs to feel ‘normal’ and will portray withdrawal symptoms without them.
Withdrawal symptoms usually vary with the drug, the quantity you use, and the individual. However, Some of the most common withdrawal symptoms include:
The following steps will help you cope with drug detox, complete it successfully, and advance to other treatments.
You can use either detox cold-turkey by yourself or with the help of a professional. Cold-turkey means stopping the use of a drug immediately. It is a risky approach because the withdrawal could have some painful symptoms, and you can easily relapse.
Thus, it would be best to get the help of a professional. They will use appropriate detox techniques and medication to make withdrawal more bearable. The medication they use depends on the drug and severity of the substance abuse. For example, they may use opioid withdrawal medication like methadone to taper off opioids from your body.
Moreover, professional detox may include ultra-rapid detox, which helps the patient avoid the pain and discomfort of withdrawal symptoms.
Individuals struggling with addiction lack essential nutrients and vitamins. Due to lifestyle changes that lead to poor diet, or the substance could affect your body. A healthy diet will help to restore your body functions to normal.
Studies show that it would help eat foods rich in vitamin A, C, D, E or nutrients like iron. Try to avoid foods and drinks with caffeine, refined sugars, processed oils and foods, and saturated fats.
Dehydration is a common drug withdrawal symptom. Moreover, we may experience drug cravings as a result of hunger or thirst. Therefore, you can reduce cravings if you stay hydrated. Furthermore, water facilitates important functions in our bodies.
Research shows that exercise can reduce cravings, compulsive drug use, and the risk of relapse. Exercise triggers the brain to release endorphins which are happy hormones. They also help to restore the chemical balance in your brain.
Moreover, exercise can reduce tension and stress, which can easily trigger a relapse. You will also sleep better if you exercise often. Some of the useful exercises include walks, runs, aerobics, and more.
Almost 70% of detox patients struggle with sleep problems. Proper sleep is important for addiction recovery and your mental wellness. You need to be well-rested to control your cravings, mood swings and think clearly. It would help to adopt a sleeping schedule with a constant time for waking up and going to sleep.
Moreover, it would be best to avoid stimulating activities like watching TV or exercising right before you sleep. Try to be relaxed right before you go to bed for better sleep.
Anxiety, depression, and physical pain are common withdrawal symptoms during detox. Studies show that you can alleviate them through various holistic treatments like mindfulness meditation and relaxation. Mindfulness meditation can help strengthen the bond between your body, mind, and spirit. Moreover, it can relieve muscle pain, tension and stimulate blood flow and circulation. It would also help to consider yoga to help with your meditation and relaxation.
You need various levels of support to cope with drug detox. The support will help you address various challenges you encounter during detox and your recovery journey. You will come across various personal challenges. It would help to talk to a therapist to help you overcome them to stay sober.
Moreover, many people in detox and recovery have family issues. It would help to communicate with them on various matters. In case there are many differences, you can go for family therapy to help with reconciliation.
We also have peers and other individuals undergoing similar challenges in detox and recovery. You can join various support groups to give and receive support. Some of these groups include 12-step groups like Alcoholic Anonymous and more.
Withdrawal symptoms make drug detox very challenging. Many people relapse during detox because the symptoms become uncomfortable or painful. The withdrawal symptoms usually vary with the substance of abuse, the severity of abuse, an individual’s genetics, and more.
However, there are some general drug withdrawal symptoms. They include cravings, hallucinations, dehydration, irritability, insomnia, fatigue, aches, nausea, and more. There are various ways to cope with drug detox. They include getting professional help, maintaining a healthy diet, staying hydrated, often exercising, setting a proper sleep schedule, mindful meditation and relaxation, and getting the appropriate support.
You can get effective and safe detox services in California from Coastline Behavioral Health in Orange County, CA. We use a personalized approach to detox and addiction treatment. It helps us address your individual needs in treatment for an effective recovery.
We address substance abuse and mental health issues like codependency, dual diagnosis, and more. Our treatment programs include inpatient rehab, intensive outpatient rehab, outpatient rehab, luxury rehab, executive rehab, and therapy services. Call us today at (714)841-2260 to get detox and additional treatment for you or a loved one.