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What is detoxing?
Devised by medical professionals in a rehab facility, detoxing is the process of eliminating damaging toxins from the body that have been encountered throughout the administration of drugs and alcohol. As an individual decides that they want to put an end to their drug or alcohol addiction, a detoxification programme is the first stage in their recovery.
Upon commencing a detox programme, individuals are likely to experience several withdrawal symptoms. The severity of the symptoms experienced will entirely depend on how long an addiction has been present and how extreme it is. While some individuals will only experience slight side effects, those that have been battling an addiction for a greater period are known to experience more significant symptoms.
Withdrawal symptoms can drastically change the mood of an individual withdrawing from drugs or alcohol and can also cause them to feel somewhat unwell. Additional withdrawal symptoms can include, but are not limited to the following;
– Nausea
– Anxiety
– Insomnia
– Headaches
– Paranoia
– Irritability
– Nightmares
In extreme cases, individuals may experience delirium tremens as they withdraw from substances. Delirium tremens can have devastating consequences and cause seizures and hallucinations to be experienced if left untreated.
What are the dangers of detoxing at home?
As touched on above, as an individual progresses through a detoxification programme, they will experience various withdrawal symptoms. Not only can these symptoms cause individuals to relapse if they are unable to cope with the feelings associated, but they can also lead to an overdose.
Unlike professionally administered detoxification programmes, detoxing at home can also hinder a long-term recovery. Many are led to believe that detoxing solely includes avoiding the consumption of substances. However, this is not true. Addictions have various physical and psychological consequences. To increase your chances of long-term recovery, physical and psychological implications must be addressed and treated within a detoxification programme. Failure to recognise and manage these implications will increase the probability of relapsing.
In addition to the above, it is imperative to remember that successfully recovering from addiction requires around the clock care. Although individuals battling an addiction may believe that they can detox on their own, they often fail to recognise that professional care achieves the best results. Furthermore, in the rare case that an individual becomes exceptionally unwell as they detox, the care provided at a rehab facility ensures that they have access to medical treatment. Failure to obtain medical treatment when it is required can be fatal.
Other dangers of detoxing at home may include;
– Negative impacts on relationships.
– Heightened mental health conditions.
– Your safety, and the safety of others, may be compromised.
– Heart seizures.
– Death.
What does the process of detoxing at a rehab hospital include?
When provided by a rehabilitation or detox treatment hospital, detoxing is a somewhat straightforward process that provides life-saving and life-changing results.
Detoxification programmes provided here at Nova Recovery are bespoke to an individual’s needs. In order to provide tailored treatment, our medical professionals perform health evaluations to determine the severity of an addiction, medical conditions that are present and any physical and psychological implications.
Upon carrying out a health evaluation, we will provide a suitable detoxification treatment programme. This programme will require the individual battling a substance addiction to become an in-patient. Although this may seem unnecessary, we can assure you that it is in your best interest.
Once an individual is admitted as an in-patient, detoxification treatment can commence. To begin with, this will predominately include omitting any harmful toxins and chemicals from your body. This process is known to induce the withdrawal symptoms previously discussed, but please be assured that this is normal.
Unlike detoxing at home, detoxing in a professional setting will ensure that your health and safety is prioritised. You will never be left to deal with the waves of emotions you will experience alone.
As you progress through your detoxification treatment, you will also undergo counselling. Counselling will enable you to address the root of your addiction and overcome any obstacles that may cause you to relapse. You will also develop various coping mechanisms with a professional that will support you as you leave our treatment hospital.
What If I Still Want to Detox at Home?
Although it is not recommended, if you are still searching for ways to safely detox from alcohol, or drugs, at home it is best to do so gradually. You should avoid going cold turkey.
For example, if you are battling an alcohol addiction, you should slowly reduce your alcohol intake. This will allow you to adjust to the changes that you will experience. It will also minimise the intensity of withdrawal symptoms.
Detox Treatment Available with Nova Recovery
As outlined above, detoxing from substances comes hand-in-hand with various withdrawal side effects and can be risky without professional support. If you now understand the dangers of detoxing at home and would like to seek our help, we are here for you.
When you are ready to address your addiction and seek our support, we will provide you with all of the tools you need to make a complete recovery. Not only will this drastically improve your life, but it will ensure that you are set up for success in the future.
To find out more about our detoxing programmes and how we can help you, please contact us today on 0147 530 3039.
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John Gillen
- Author
- Last updated: September 8, 2023
John has travelled extensively around the world, culminating in 19 years’ experience looking at different models. He is the European pioneer of NAD+ (Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide) treatment to Europe in 2010; and recently back from the USA bringing state of the art Virtual Reality Relapse Prevention and stress reduction therapy. His passion extends to other metabolic disturbances and neurodegenerative diseases. The journey continues. In recent times, John has travelled to Russia to study and research into a new therapy photobiomudulation or systemic laser therapy working with NAD+ scientists and the very best of the medical professionals in the UK and the USA, together with Nadcell, Bionad Hospitals own select Doctors, nurses, dieticians and therapists. Johns’ passion continues to endeavour to bring to the UK and Europe new developments with NAD+ Therapy in preventive and restorative medicine and Wellness. In 2017 John Gillen was made a visiting Professor at the John Naisbitt university in Belgrade Serbia.