Strategies For Getting Through Drug Detox

Addiction recovery is a life-long process with ebbs and flows. It will never be simple, but the many benefits are more than worth it.

Once you have come to accept your addiction, the next step is seeking treatment. That begins with detox, an essential part of recovery and one of the most challenging. 

If you have never experienced drug & alcohol detox, know that it is mentally and physically demanding. Understanding what to expect and having some insight into how to handle detox can make the experience less brutal and even more beneficial to your recovery in the long run.

Drug and alcohol detox can be a difficult step, but it's far easier when done at a detox center.

What Is Detox?

The best way to treat addiction is to stop using the drug you are addicted to. Although, that is not quite as simple as it sounds.

Getting off drugs or alcohol is not as easy as flushing it and moving on. Detox is essential for your health and safety. When you have a physical and emotional dependence on a substance, quitting it will lead to withdrawal symptoms ranging from unpleasant to dangerous. 

Detox is the medical intervention that treats those withdrawal symptoms so you can get off drugs or alcohol with the least resistance. In detox, a team of professionals will monitor your vitals, provide you with the care and support you need, and medicate you to ease the withdrawal symptoms. 

It is crucial to remember that this is just one step in the treatment process. Your addiction is not just physical and will not go away after detox. Detox is a crucial first step to the rest of recovery. 

Getting through detox can be one of the most challenging aspects of recovery. The physical, mental, and emotional symptoms can be too much for some. It is not rare for people to relapse before they even finish detox. 

This is another reason professional detox is so beneficial. Trying to withdraw from drugs or alcohol on your own is not just risky for your health, but with access to the substance you crave, it is not likely to be successful. 

Understanding how challenging detox is and how much it benefits you, your health, and your recovery will help keep you on track. 

Tips for Handling Detox

Detox is far from a walk in the park. Even with medical intervention, detox can be a grueling experience. Having ways to cope with all aspects of detox before entering a program can help you.

Not only will your detox facility provide support and care during this time, but going in with a clear image of what to expect at a detox center and how to cope can aid you in your recovery. 

Once detox begins, you may feel like it is not worth it. The physical toll may seem too intense for you to handle but remember that this part is temporary and necessary for your health and wellbeing.

Remember Why You're Quitting

Remind yourself of all the reasons you are getting sober and how your overall health can benefit from this process. Make a list of all the things you want to do when sober. This will help stay you motivated going forward. Some of these things might include:

• Regaining control over your life
• Improving your physical and mental wellbeing
• Learning how to renew your relationships
• Addressing problems that led to your addiction
• Achieving personal and professional goals

Realize You Will Have Cravings

The symptoms of withdrawal are never going to be easy. Along with sweating, chills, and nausea, you will experience drug cravings. In a detox facility, you will not have access to your vice. Of course, this will prevent you from relapsing immediately, but only until you leave. Learning how to face those cravings is essential and a skill you will take with you through recovery.

Recognize Your Triggers

Your triggers are experiences like tastes, smells, sounds, and people that lead you to use. Many will not be noticed during detox, but preparing for them will help you cope later. Beginning the more emotional and mental aspects of recovery during detox gives you a head start.

When you start working on all aspects of your addiction during detox, it helps you acknowledge the causes of your addiction and what allowed it to continue. Even during treatment, you can consider what may set you on the path to relapse. 

Eat Healthy and Exercise When Possible

During detox, you may be stuck in bed. That can last hours, days, or longer, depending on the severity of your addiction. When those symptoms ease, it is vital to give your body the necessary nutrients and hydration. Drinking enough water and eating nutritiously will be a priority.

Although exercising may feel like too much during detox, even walks, yoga, and brief movement can benefit your body.

Make a Treatment Plan, Stick To It, and Adjust as Needed

Your treatment plan is key to your success in recovery. During detox, you will work with your care team to begin the rest of your rehabilitation. Commit to therapy and any necessary medications and accept the journey.  

Setting goals for your recovery improves your motivation. You may want to include a loved one or family member in your treatment for added support. This can help you set realistic goals and have help outside of rehab. Having a plan helps you feel more in control.

These goals will be short-term at first, such as going to therapy sessions, group meetings, or engaging in exercise. Eventually, your goals will be adjusted as you grow. These could include a year of sobriety, rebuilding relationships, getting a job, or paying off debts.

Accomplishing small goals and building up to larger ones shows your growth and can improve your confidence and faith in yourself and your abilities.

Detox Is a Complicated First Step in Addiction Recovery

Managing your withdrawal symptoms is only one way to cope with the experience. Learning how to face detox's emotional, physical, and mental aspects is just as important. These are the lessons that will take you into the rest of your recovery.

Finding a detox center can be complicated, but with DetoxNearMe.com it isn’t. We’ll help you find a detox center that meets your needs. Start searching today with DetoxNearMe.com!