If you are struggling with alcohol or drug abuse, then you may be thinking about drug detox treatment. While you probably know that drug and alcohol detox programs can improve your health and well-being, you may be hesitant to seek treatment.
Because of this, you may decide to detox at home. This is exceedingly dangerous because during detoxification and withdrawal, you need to be strictly monitored by experienced medical professionals. Here are some reasons why detoxing at home can be dangerous and how the detox clinic staff can help you cope with withdrawal symptoms.
Dehydration
Withdrawal symptoms can begin abruptly. While they may seem tolerable in the beginning, they will gradually worsen. What starts out with mild gastrointestinal discomfort may turn into severe nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea.
These symptoms can cause dehydration, and if you are alone while you are ill, you may become severely dehydrated. This can lead to lightheadedness, fainting, low blood pressure, weakness, and even cardiac arrhythmia.
When you are in an alcohol or drug detox clinic, your vital signs and cardiovascular health will be carefully monitored so that if abnormal changes occur, medical intervention can be implemented. Also, if you become dehydrated during your treatment, you will be given intravenous fluids to help with rehydration.
Psychological Distress
Another reason why you need to be in a structured medical environment during your detox journey is that you may experience severe psychological distress during your withdrawal from drugs or alcohol.
When you are in a drug detox clinic, you will be quickly treated if you become anxious, depressed, or have a panic attack. The staff might treat your psychological symptoms with either antianxiety medications, antidepressants, cognitive behavioral therapy, or a combination of all of these options.
It is essential that psychological distress is recognized and treated quickly because if treatment is delayed, your struggles with recovery may intensify. When psychological disturbances are quickly treated, both your physical and emotional pain will ease. You will also be less likely to relapse in the future.
If you are home alone while you are detoxing, you may have a severe emotional event, which may lead you down a dark path of negative thoughts.
If you need help coping with your alcohol or drug addiction, make an appointment with your primary care physician. He or she may recommend that you participate in an inpatient detox program at a hospital or free-standing facility, where you can be medically monitored and supported by experienced staff. For more information, speak with the staff at a drug detox clinic.
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