What is Detox?
Detox is a process of cleansing a person’s body of the harmful toxins they have accumulated from drinking. When someone is an alcoholic their brain chemistry is altered in ways that inhibit their ability to resist drinking. Through alcohol abuse, lives are lost, families are destroyed, and jobs are jeopardized. However, alcoholics are not bad people; they are wounded people with an illness. Detox prepares the mind and body for treatment so that they can get their lives back.
Fear or dread of detoxing is a common deterrent that keeps people from seeking treatment. Of course, many are wary to give up something that has been a main part of their lives. On top of this, detox is a painful, uncomfortable process that involves withdrawal, a host of symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, tremors, seizures and hallucinations. Since these symptoms could be lethal, it is suggested for a person going through detox to receive medical supervision to help blunt the force of them. While this may not sound like a cup of tea, it is a transformative experience that clears away a space for so much new growth to begin.
An important thing to remember is that detox is just the first step in recovery. It does not rehabilitate the mind; it simply cleanses the body. The rehabilitation of the mind happens in therapy and other services in treatment, where you will learn new coping mechanisms to deal with your triggers in life.
What Happens During Detox?
When you first go to a rehab facility for detox, you will receive an initial assessment where they ask certain questions to determine a treatment plan. The questions will range from usage amounts to medical history. It’s important for the person who is entering treatment to be completely honest so that the treatment plan will be effective.
After the assessment, the patient will be assigned a doctor to oversee their detox. Though the process will probably be uncomfortable due to the withdrawal symptoms, a lot of that is mediated by the use of drugs that you are provided with the supervised care. The length of time it takes to cleanse the body varies, depending on the person and the amount of abuse, but it can take as little as a week.
Another crucial component of detox is exercise. Though you may feel like staying in bed rather than working out, it is important to mix in exercise. Exercise can help decrease the stress, anxiety and depression associated with detox. It also improves self-confidence and decreases mood swings. Several reports have confirmed that exercise also decreases cravings and helps with energy levels and breathing.
It’s important to realize that medication can only go so far, the process of recovery is multi-faceted. Healing is a mental, physical and spiritual process. It’s important to integrate all of these as you tackle alcohol abuse.
Why is Detox Important?
Detox is important for many reasons, with the obvious one being that if you wish to get sober, then the first step is to stop drinking. If you want to live a healthy life, then detox is the beginning of that journey. The first step is often the hardest and that’s often true with detox, but these steps can serve as the foundation of your freedom.
Don’t Detox On Your Own
Professionals in the field urge people not to try detoxing alone. Your body could have really adverse reactions to the detoxification process and you may need medical attention if anything goes wrong. Even if you don’t experience fatal seizures, the psychological aspects of withdrawal could make you a danger to yourself. That said, it is important to make sure that you seek out detox with a trained staff of people where you can then experience the communal support of therapy. Healing takes community and time, but it starts with quitting and detox is the only way in to your new life of freedom.
How Much Does Detox and Rehabilitation Cost?
Alcohol treatment prices fluctuate depending on the center, however, every rehabilitation program provides different payment options. If you have insurance, you may be able to have your treatment paid for in full or at least most of it. If you are looking to get treatment, call your insurance provider and find out how much it will cost you. At Better Recovery Rehabilitation Center we have affordable treatment options to help you start the process of recovery. We can also help you figure out what benefits your insurance provider offers. The first step is to give us a call at (520) 288-8484.
