Why Detoxing at Home is Dangerous
Detoxing is one of the first and most important steps of recovery, and it is also one of the most difficult. If you or a loved one wants to stop using, detox is a crucial and necessary step to ensure long-term sobriety. The detox process can trigger uncomfortable symptoms, also known as withdrawals. If individuals are not monitored by a trained professional, these symptoms can become deadly. Trying to stop all use of drugs and alcohol without the help of a professional can be terribly problematic, especially if the individual has been using for an adequate amount of time.
Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms
For most people, the first signs of alcohol withdrawal occur 6-12 hours after they stop drinking. Some of the most common symptoms individuals face during alcohol detox include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Mood swings
- Nightmares
- Clamminess
- Rapid heart rate
- Tremors or shakiness
- Seizures
- Loss of appetite
Opioid Withdrawal Symptoms
While some opioid withdrawals can be managed with over-the-counter medications, the symptoms of opioid withdrawal are uncomfortable and can be dangerous if there is a lack of medical oversight. Some physical withdrawal symptoms of opioids include:
- Anxiety
- Muscle aches
- Sweating
- Insomnia
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- High blood pressure
- Restlessness
- Runny nose
The Dangers of Detoxing at Home
Both drug and alcohol addiction are progressive. Like any other health issue, substance abuse should be treated by qualified medical professionals. There are several risks of detoxing at home, including:
Lack of Professional Support
Having a team of addiction treatment professionals not only helps to provide comfort, but also education on the process and assistance with the inevitable withdrawals.
Failure to Manage Withdrawal Symptoms
While going through detox alone, individuals are far more likely to give in to their suffering because detox is an extremely uncomfortable feeling. Experienced medical professionals who offer focused recovery solutions are there to manage the physical side effects of detoxing with controlled medication and stabilization techniques.
Increased Risk of Relapse
Living in an environment with easy access to controlled substances can increase the individual’s risk of relapse and falling back into the same state. In a detox facility that specializes in intensive outpatient programs, the individual has a greater chance of a successful detox and long-term sobriety.
Benefits of Medically Supervised Detox
The safer option to detoxification is to enter an inpatient or outpatient treatment program, such as those offered at Cypress West Intensive Outpatient in Naples, Florida. Medical detox offers:
- A safe and structured environment
- Relapse prevention
- Therapeutic intervention
- Peer and family support
- Medical stabilization
- Long-term aftercare treatment
You or your loved one can overcome addiction in a safe environment upon opting for a professional treatment program. Inpatient and residential treatment facilities are beneficial for individuals with chronic addiction, and outpatient facilities can help individuals who have addiction problems that are less severe.
There’s no reason to wait another day to make a change that could save your life. Contact our treatment professionals today to get started on an individualized counseling plan for safely and effectively detoxing from alcohol and other controlled substances.
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Substance Abuse Treatment Program
Casey is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) and Certified Addictions Professional (CAP). Casey has completed focused course work on the physiological aspects of drug addiction and human psychology, as well as received extensive training on the treatment of co-occurring disorders.