When people enter a detox center, one of the first and most essential tasks is to complete detox. The challenges one experiences as they progress through detox will vary depending on the person and on the substance. For some, detox may last a few hours with mild symptoms. However, for other substances, the detox process can lead to powerful withdrawal symptoms that could be fatal if not managed with professional detox support and assistance.
What is Detox?
Detox allows your body the opportunity to cleanse itself of any remaining toxic substances. Detox is safest when performed through medically supported detox. During medically assisted detox, medical supports are used to help limit unpleasant symptoms and mitigate potentially dangerous symptoms associated with the detox process.
As part of medically assisted detox, skilled medical professionals will provide support and monitoring to help you safely detox from drugs or alcohol. Typically, medical monitoring includes frequently checking your vital signs (heart rate, respiratory rate, blood pressure, temperature, etc.) and monitoring your emotional well-being. If needed, your treatment team will provide medications to help reduce the intensity and severity of some withdrawal symptoms. Although not beneficial or suitable for all cases, these medications can help you focus less on unpleasant withdrawal symptoms and focus more on overcoming addiction.
What Role Does the Detox Process Play in Addiction Treatment?
The first and most challenging step on the road to recovery for anyone struggling with addiction is detoxing. The detox process provides the body the opportunity to cleanse itself of all harmful substances so it can once again function without needing drugs or alcohol to carry out vital functions. While a critical part of achieving and learning to maintain lasting sobriety, detox is not easy. Withdrawal symptoms of varying severity often accompany the early stages of detox.
Although an essential component of addiction treatment and recovery, detox is not a standalone treatment for addiction. Lasting recovery requires learning to safely and successfully manage relapse triggers using effective coping mechanisms that do not involve substances. Relapse is a struggle many who are new to sobriety face. Data from SAMHSA (the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration) indicates that up to 60% of people who complete a comprehensive addiction treatment program will experience a relapse at least once after their program ends.
What are the Most Dangerous Drugs to Detox From?
Detoxing from virtually any substance is unpleasant; however, some substances are worse (and far more dangerous) than others. The symptoms you will experience during withdrawal vary from person to person and based on the drug but regardless of the differences, detoxing from some substances is far more complex than others.
Alcohol
Alcohol addiction is one of the most common forms of addiction across most demographics in the United States. It can be complex and challenging when you or a loved one decides to put alcohol addiction in the past. The first step towards overcoming alcohol addiction must be detox. Alcohol addiction has a significant impact on the structure and function of the brain. When you try to stop using or reduce the amount of alcohol you use, your brain and body do not know how to react. Because of the effects alcohol has on the body, suddenly stopping use can be very dangerous and possibly deadly. One does not have to struggle with long-term addiction to alcohol to experience potentially fatal withdrawal symptoms.
Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines (benzos) are used to treat sleeping disorders, anxiety, seizure disorders, and various other conditions. Even though benzos are generally prescribed for short-term treatment, addiction to these powerful drugs can develop after just one use. The brain reacts to benzos in much the same way as alcohol. Therefore, many of the same risks associated with alcohol detox occur during benzo detox, including hallucinations, seizures, dangerous panic attacks, coma, and death.
Barbiturates
Barbiturates were popular throughout the early 20th century as a form of treatment for seizures, mental health conditions, sleep disorders, and several other conditions. However, their use was not without significant risk to the patient. When benzodiazepines were developed in the late 20th century, they essentially replaced barbiturates. However, barbiturates still have some use today. Although the rate of prescription is far less, they remain extremely dangerous. These drugs are highly addictive, and detoxing from their use is complex due to the regions of the brain impacted by the drugs.
How to Find the Best Detox Centers in Los Angeles, CA
Deciding to put drug addiction in the past is an excellent first step towards lasting health and wellness. However, if your struggles are with specific substances, deciding to get clean “cold turkey” could be dangerous or even deadly. At California Centers for Recovery, we understand that the journey to sobriety is not always clear-cut, but we are here to help you get started. Contact us today to learn more about the best detox centers in Los Angeles and how detox and rehab at CCR can help you achieve lasting sobriety.
