How Drug Detox Helps Addicts Recover

Drug detox (short for detoxification) can last up to several weeks, but it is the fundamental step in recovering from addiction. Although therapy and counseling provide all training needed to fight the battle against addiction, no addict is ready to begin any treatment program without first detoxifying.

Drug use quickly leads to drug abuse because the chemicals contained in drugs remain in the body and gain a physical control over the user. This is the simplest way to understand how drug addiction works, because somebody who is struggling with drug addiction is never completely in control of their actions… physically, mentally, or emotionally.

So during detox, a person will go through a process much like the concept of quitting cold turkey. The patient or individual who is detoxifying will quite literally stop putting drugs in their system, and because he or she is under round the clock supervision of trained medical staff, they are much safer than if they attempted to quit all on their own.

Furthermore, detox has a higher success rate for those serious about quitting drugs. Compare detox to the two most common approaches an individual may take to facing drug addiction on their own.

Why Detox is More Effective Than Quitting Cold Turkey

ü  Detox takes place in a controlled setting, so there is almost no chance of relapse

ü  Detoxification in a medical setting will prevent an individual from suffering the severe withdrawal symptoms. If it is necessary, rehab staff members who assist during detox are qualified to give appropriate medication. Otherwise, withdrawal can be extremely painful and unbearable… in severe cases of addiction there can be fatal withdrawal symptoms.

ü  During detox, individuals are given healthy and nutritious meals to restore physical strength and energy. This speeds along the recovery process and also helps to decrease the suffering associated with withdrawal.

Why Detox is More Effective Than Easing Comfortably Into Sobriety (Cutting Down)

ü  Because drug addiction only develops when a tolerance has been built… a person will never be satisfied with smaller amounts of the drug. Any attempt to cut down often takes frequency of use and replaces it with amount of use… which can lead to binges and overdose.

ü  Cutting down is a reluctant way to enter into something where reluctance is a sign of weakness. Detox provides a highly motivated setting where an individual can completely focus on their mission and not leave room for backing down.

ü  If you’re really ready to quit drugs, you need to quit drugs. The only way to do this is the right way, the safe way, and the smart way.

Why Detox Works…

Just as addiction counseling programs helps each individual prepare mentally, psychologically, and emotionally for their personal battle… detox will prepare the individual physically. Once the individual has regained physical control of his or her body, including the most important part (the brain) combined with a healthy diet, their chances of successfully recovering from addiction have just been multiplied immensely.

And then, when a person has completed detox, they will be ready to being addiction treatment programs that are tailored specifically for his or her unique needs. What more could you ask for if you are serious about quitting?