A Beginner’s Guide To Medical Detox Programs By Recovery Experts

Introduction

We are afraid of war to the point that we create highly complex defensive mechanisms to protect us if someone tries to invade our land, even during peacetime.

While it is good to prepare yourself beforehand. But while concentrating too much on outer invasion, we are neglecting one major problem that is eating our society from the inside.

The problem we are talking about is Addiction. The modern generation is mostly affected by addiction. Just go to any late night club, you will find traces of addiction-related activity.

Addiction is not a good thing to have. Unfortunately, there is only one way to come out of addiction when you fall victim to addiction – the Medical Detox program and addiction recovery rehabilitation centers.

Seeing how this addiction pandemic has become deep-rooted in society, we want people to know the right methods and treatment to recover from addiction.

Before starting with an addiction treatment program, we must first understand what addiction is all about. If we go by the definition, Addiction is a chronic disease that can be treated just like any other chronic disease.

The addiction recovery process starts with medical detox.

What Is Medical Detox?

Addiction affects how your brains work. When your body has become accustomed to a particular substance, its brain’s reward changes.

Now your body is accustomed to that particular substance to stay in your body for normal functioning. This is the condition that experts call dependence.

Medical detox is the process of cleaning the harmful or addictive substance from your system before your addiction treatment program can start.

The process involves keeping the patients isolated from the addictive substance and naturally letting the body clean itself of the toxins. While the body is excreting out the toxin substances, it goes through a phase called Withdrawal.

The withdrawal phase is when the patient’s body starts reacting, and the patient craves for the substance to remain stable. This is where things take a hard turn.

Depending on the state of addiction and its severity, the withdrawal can vary from mild behavioral outbursts to life-threatening scenarios.

While it is true that medical detox helps cleanse your body of harmful toxin substances. But, it is by no means an alternative to addiction recovery treatment. Medical detox is the process that prepares your body for the treatment program.

Signs & Symptoms Of Withdrawal

Withdrawal symptoms are the reaction your body gives when you stay away from your daily dose of an addictive substance. Your body is accustomed to the substance for normal functioning; it starts to function abnormally when it does not get the addictive substance.

The severity of the withdrawal varies from person to person with the factors like – 

• Duration Of addiction.
• The substance of addiction.
• Gender.
• Age.

Different types of substance abuse are associated with different types of signs and symptoms. In fact, many withdrawal symptoms include both physical and psychological symptoms.

Here are some examples of the potential range of withdrawal symptoms.

• Depression.
• Anxiety.
• Mood Swings.
• Headaches.
• Appetite changes.
• Muscles ache.
• Shaking of the hands.
• Excessive sweating.
• Stomach cramps.
• Vomiting.

These are just a few common withdrawal symptoms. These can vary from person to person.

When Does One Need Medical Detox?

Most people think that drinking alcohol is normal and is one of the ways to socialize.

Well, it is true in its own way. After all, alcohol has been one of the most popular drinks for socialization since ancient times.

Because of its common uses, it’s really hard to determine where to stop.

The best way to differentiate a normal habit from an addiction is by monitoring your habit. If you need any addictive substance to feel normal, that’s the sign where you must understand you need medical detox.

When your body is accustomed to an addictive substance, it needs that substance to feel normal.

At this stage, when you try to stop your addictive habit of drinking or substance abuse, your body will start showing withdrawal symptoms.

If this scenario matches you, you must seek immediate professional help. Gallus Detox is one of the reputable establishments that offer high-quality services.

If you haven’t decided on a medical detox center, this can be the right place to learn more about Gallus Detox.

Stages Of Medical Detox

When a person starts with an addiction recovery treatment program, they can expect to go through the following two stages of detox.

Acute Withdrawal Stage

The acute withdrawal stage is the first stage of the medical detox. This stage usually starts hours after the last consumption of the addictive substance. After a certain period, the level of substance starts to drop in your body. When that happens, your body responds with the withdrawal symptoms.

Once this point is reached, your body starts experiencing the withdrawal symptoms discussed above. Individuals are most vulnerable during this phase and need medical and social support to overcome the phase.

Post-Acute Withdrawal Stage

The post-acute withdrawal happens months after the detoxification process. By this time, your body is completely healed, and there is no trace of harmful toxins inside your system. During this phase of the addiction treatment program, patients focus more on managing their sober life. 

Although most of the withdrawal symptoms are over, there is still some baggage stress, emotional trauma, and psychological residue that will need time to take care of. 

What Happens After A Medical Detox?

Detoxification is only the first step of the addiction recovery process. It prepares your body for the core addiction recovery program.

Once the medical detox is over, you will likely be considered stable enough to move forward with the addiction recovery rehab center and counseling sessions.

To live a sober life in the months and years to come, you must address all the small problems that might trigger your addiction. And even after trying your best, if you can find yourself kneeling in front of the craving, go back to the addiction treatment program.

Remember, Addiction recovery is a lifelong process!