Many substances, like opiates, alcohol, and benzodiazepines, have the potential to cause physical dependency. When you develop a physical addiction, your body becomes dependent on your substance of choice to function. If you suddenly stop using, you deal with intense and severe symptoms that may require medical treatment. So if you’re wondering who needs drug detox programs, struggling with a physical addiction warrants completing a detox program. 1 out of every 7 Americans will eventually struggle with a substance abuse disorder, making addiction a widespread health problem. Addiction starts with your first use because psychoactive substances are neurotransmitter inhibitors that cause your brain to associate the substance you used with pleasure. The stages between your first use and psychological and/or physical dependency can take as little as several weeks, meaning addiction can progress rapidly.
What is Physical Addiction?
A physical addiction means that your body relies on your substance of choice to feel normal. Some common substances that lead to physical dependency include:
- Heroin, OxyContin, Vicodin, and Percocet
- Xanax and Klonopin
- Alcohol
- Methamphetamine
- Amphetamines
As addiction progresses, you continue to compulsively use your substance of choice. Encountering severe negative consequences and having a strong desire to quit using is typically not enough to overcome an addiction. That’s because addiction causes significant changes to occur to your cognition and brain chemistry. Abusing drugs and alcohol damages your neurotransmitter receptors and creates significant imbalances that impact your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. When your tolerance builds, you have to increase the amount you use to continue experiencing the same effects of intoxication. If your substance of choice is expensive, you can choose to spend the majority of your money acquiring it instead of paying bills. Developing an addiction to an illicit substance, like heroin, increases your risks of experiencing legal problems, such as criminal charges.
Who Needs Drug Detox Programs?
So, who needs drug detox programs, and how do they help with recovery? Drug detox programs specialize in alleviating withdrawal symptoms that occur when you suddenly stop using a substance that you developed a physical dependency to. Withdrawal symptoms can begin within hours of your last use and typically last for at least five days. Common withdrawal symptoms can include:
- Nausea, diarrhea, and stomach pains
- Mental health problems like depression, anxiety, and insomnia
- Seizures, tremors, sweats, and shakes
- Confusion and disorientation
- Aches, pains, and restless legs
When considering who needs drug detox programs, remember that even psychological addictions can cause mild psychosomatic symptoms. That means that detox is a good option if you struggle with a severe or lengthy addiction. During detox, treatment programs administer medications that reduce the intensity of symptoms. Although detox programs make the withdrawal process more comfortable, you’ll still experience some symptoms. Mood changes are another common withdrawal symptoms. If you’re still wondering who needs drug detox programs, it’s important to remember that having a dual diagnosis results in a more complicated recovery process. Having a co-occurring condition makes completing a detox program a smart idea, as mental health symptoms may intensify. Most detox symptoms will alleviate within one week. However, mild symptoms can continue for several weeks. Post-acute withdrawal may cause flair ups of mild withdrawal symptoms for weeks, or even months, after your last use.
Finding a Drug Detox Program Today
Struggling with a substance abuse disorder, addiction, or alcoholism can make it difficult to live a stable and productive life. Addiction can damage your health, relationships, and finances, and symptoms will only get worse until you complete treatment. If you would like to learn more about who needs drug detox programs, or would like to discuss your treatment options, contact Promises Treatment Centers today at 844.875.5609.