Addiction Treatment: Detoxing Your Dependency

If your substance abuse has reached a stage where all you need is your next fix to get you through the next day or the next hour, you need to get addiction treatment as soon as possible or you will end up six feet under.

Some people find it hard to stop drinking because withdrawal symptoms are the hardest challenge to overcome. Addiction treatment has been likened to running headfirst into a wall – it hurts. So you stop doing it without realizing that the only thing stopping you from overcoming your addiction is that wall. Often you won’t realize you’re suffering from withdrawal; you’ll find yourself nervous or unable to socialize or even function like a normal sober human being unless you’ve had that first drink. Withdrawal symptoms can vary in terms of the type of effect, from mild symptoms such as sweating to more serious and life threatening symptoms such as hallucinations or unexplainable irrationality.

Common effects of withdrawal during addiction treatment include:

  • Anxiety
  • Shakiness
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Insomnia
  • Confusion
  • A lower pain threshold

Less severe symptoms can be treated with just a little rest and relaxation as well as support from family or friends and your addiction treatment counselor. Withdrawal symptoms are indicative that your brain has tailored itself to accept that in your mind, consuming copious amounts of alcohol is “normal”. It will take time to revert back to a state where being alcohol free is normal. This is easier for males who consume less than 15 units of alcohol a day and females who consume less than 10 units a day. When you are consuming more alcohol than the prescribed amount for your gender and size, detoxification should be aided by professional medical care. You may be referred to an addiction treatment center that offer trained staff who are able to assist you with your transition into sober living as well as assist you with your withdrawal symptoms.

Symptoms that need extra care or professional medical treatment:

  • Confusion
  • Hallucinations
  • A history of fits or even epilepsy
  • Suicidal thoughts / tendencies
  • Poor nutrition / a lack of appetite
  • Physical or psychiatric illness

You need to realize that you should check yourself into a good, secure rehab center that has a proven track record of getting users sober. One that provides daily monitoring as well as a safe space that you will need to help you let go of your dependency issues and detox your body and mind from the poison you’ve been consuming. You need to stay away from all forms of alcohol and drink plenty of non-stimulating fluids (so no caffeine or energy drinks).

Your caregiver should do daily checks in order to ascertain that you’re detoxing correctly.

Simple checks include:

  • Having your pulse checked
  • Checking your temperature
  • The severity of your tremors
  • Your blood pressure
  • Your level of awareness
  • Whether or not you are hydrating correctly
  • Ensuring that you’re abstaining from alcohol

These simple things could help you lessen your dependency until you’re no longer reliant on alcohol to keep you going and you can live a happy, normal, sober life.