Glass of alcohol, cigarettes and drugs on table.

Drug and alcohol addiction is debilitating. Initially, getting high or drinking until you don’t think can seem enjoyable, but you may be unable to stop over time. That’s because, with consistent use, these substances change the function of the brain so much so that you simply cannot seem to stop using them even when you want to do so. In a drug treatment center, detox may be what you need to break that dependence. Detoxing from drugs and alcohol isn’t easy, but it is the first step in achieving a better quality of life.

America’s Rehab Campus can help you with detox. Reach out to us now for immediate help.

What Happens in the Brain to Cause Dependence?

A person who uses drugs and alcohol consistently may find themselves compulsively seeking it out. They recognize that doing so puts their health and wellbeing at risk, but they cannot stop. This is called addiction. Dependence is a bit different. In dependence, the body adapts to the presence of the drug, often requiring a higher dose of it to feel the same type of high, as noted by the National Institute on Drug Abuse. Additionally, when a person who is dependent tries to stop using these drugs, they face intense withdrawal symptoms, including pain, discomfort, and cravings.

This withdrawal happens in the brain as the drugs impact the pleasure center. By triggering that pleasure center with use, the brain continues to seek out the substance repeatedly to feel the same. It learns to depend on the drug to function. Withdrawal is the brain’s way of fighting back against not having the substance present.

How Does Detoxing from Drugs and Alcohol Work?

The detoxification process is a natural one. It simply means withholding the substance and forcing the body to re-learn how to work without it. That seems simple, but the process is complex because of the dependency that’s formed.

Typically a person with dependence will experience withdrawal symptoms. The type and severity of those symptoms differ from one type of drug to another. Some examples include:

  • Intense cravings
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Muscle aches and pains
  • Bone pain
  • Anxiety
  • Paranoia
  • Increased heart rate
  • Insomnia

In addition, the cravings alone may make it difficult for a person to stop using. They may think about the drug so much and feel they need to use it. It’s important to recognize a person with addiction has a disease, and these are the symptoms they cannot control.

What Happens in a Detox Center?

In a treatment center that offers detox, a person is surrounded by professionals who can help them through this process. They gain one-on-one support for everything they feel, including the cravings and the intense pain. Symptoms are better managed, and in some cases, medical support is provided to help their body overcome the damage it’s experienced.

During the detox process, which usually ranges from a few days to a couple of weeks, a person receives constant support to guide them through this process. The brain re-learns how to function in that timeframe, and the cravings subside. Detox isn’t a cure for addiction, but it is the first step to reclaiming your life.

Medications may be available to some people to make detox easier to manage. There is also holistic care provided to help encourage whole-body healing for most. Many men and women also spend their time in therapy, learning how to prioritize themselves and overcome the trauma that may have led them to this place.

Without detox in a formal setting, many people relapse. They believe they can stop, but their brain and body cannot. In a detox treatment center like America’s Rehab Campuses, people learn how to overcome their addiction and rebuild their lives. They have ample support to break the dependence they feel.

How Can You Get the Care You Need?

America’s Rehab Campus provides detox treatment programs. From there, many people enter into residential treatment to continue to live in a drug-free environment and work on their recovery. If you are experiencing addiction to any drug, now is your time to take action. Give us a call to set up an assessment and start on the way to recovery.

Sources:

https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/principles-drug-addiction-treatment-research-based-guide-third-edition/frequently-asked-questions/there-difference-between-physical-dependence-addiction

https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/principles-drug-addiction-treatment-research-based-guide-third-edition/drug-addiction-treatment-in-united-states/types-treatment-programs