Going to detox is the first step in the lifelong road of recovery. Addiction is a physiological disease. When you developed the addiction, having the addictive substance in your system became your body’s new homeostasis, which is the regular internal state that your body tries to keep itself at. If your body does not receive the addictive substance, it causes you to experience violent, fatal withdrawal symptoms (e.g. rapid heart rate, hypertension, body aches, seizures, etc.). The purpose of going to detox is to safely and comfortably go through withdrawal.
Your stay at a detox center will consist of:
Medical Assessment
Upon your arrival at the detox center, the medical staff will perform a routine physical exam, run additional tests based on your individual case, and ask you questions about your substance use history. You should be completely honest during your assessment in order to receive accurate medical treatment. Most likely, the medical staff has heard similar situations before, and they are there to help you, not judge you. The medical staff will plan out your drug protocol and meal plans.
Monitoring and Medication
Detox can last anywhere from a several days to two weeks. The length of your detox will depend on your addictive substances, the length of time you have been addicted, age, gender, and size. If you are in the early stages of addiction, you may not even need detox at all. During your detox, the medical staff will monitor you around the clock. They will be cognizant of every change in your vitals. You will be given medications to treat the withdrawal symptoms, and you may also be given opioid replacement medications (e.g. suboxone, vivitrol, methadone, etc.) to allow your body to gradually come back down to a normal homeostasis.
Psychological Counseling
In addition to physiological symptoms, withdrawal also presents an array of psychological symptoms (e.g. depression, anxiety, insomnia, etc.). Most detox centers have counselors to help the clients work through the psychological challenges of withdrawal. The counselors will also help you arrange the next step in your journey to recover (e.g. an inpatient rehab facility).
Holistic Treatment
In addition to medical treatment, holistic treatment is also a part of most detox programs. Prolonged substance use takes a toll on the body, so a healthy diet is essential to restoring the body’s health. Yoga and meditation may also be taught. You will have time for a plethora of rest because that is all you will feel like doing. Detox will not be too heavy on meetings and therapies because their primary focus is treating the physiological component.
How to Reduce the Chances of Relapses After Detox
Getting through withdrawal is only the first stop on the road to recovery. Going to detox only addresses the physiological component of addiction. Addiction also has psychological and spiritual components as well. You must engage in other forms of treatment after detox to address the other components of your addiction in order to ensure the best chances of recovery.
Inpatient treatment or an intensive form of outpatient treatment is the most common requisite following detox. The primary goal of treatment is to holistically treat the disease. Individual talk therapy is used to address your personal psychological triggers (e.g. childhood trauma, single traumatic events, depression). Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is the most common form of psychotherapy that is used to address and correct errors in thinking. Group therapy is used to teach you how to collaborate and with others who are dealing with the same issues. Twelve Step Meetings are the most form of group therapy. Addiction is a family disease. In order to successfully live your new life upon your return home to your family, your family will need to recover. Addiction breeds a lot of broken relationships and affects family members in many ways. Family therapy will educate your family on the disease of addiction and help restore the broken relationships. Experiential therapy is a group of therapies that involve hands-on experiences. Art therapy, equine therapy, acupuncture, and yoga/meditation are the most common forms of experiential therapy that is used in treatment centers. Experiential therapy will allow you to heal by accessing your unconscious through your experiences. The fun of experiential therapy can also help you explore interests and hobbies that can occupy you when you return home and make you realize that you can have fun and socialize as a sober person.
Aftercare Activities to Prevent Relapse
Recovery is a lifelong process. Though that may sound daunting at first, time will prove to you that recovery is a gift. Upon completing treatment, you will need to continue doing activities throughout your life that will keep you grounded in recovery. Recovery is not just about abstaining from your addictive substances; it is about creating a new life for yourself.
Maintaining a genuine recovery lifestyle is almost impossible without fellowship. Alcoholics’ Anonymous and Narcotics’ Anonymous are the oldest and most common form of fellowship for addiction recovery. However, many people find that 12-step programs are not for them. There are many 12-step alternative groups (e.g. SMART Recovery, Lifering, Secular Recovery, etc.) that are just as effective or even more effective than AA and NA. Living a healthy lifestyle that consists of healthy diet, fitness, and plenty of rest is an essential part of recovery for most people because it helps them physically and mentally feel good, which reduces their urge to use. Treating the psychological component of your addiction can take years, so seeing a counselor on a regular basis can be beneficial after you finish intensive treatment. Many recovering addicts go back to school or start a new career. Addictions counseling is one of the fastest-growing job fields in the country, and some positions require as little as a high school diploma/GED. Working in an environment that is nurturing to their recovery is why many recovering addicts go into addictions counseling.
Coastal Detox is located in Stuart, Florida. We offer a state-of-the-art facility to begin your journey on the road to recovery. In addition to quality medical care, we offer a variety of holistic therapies to help you sail through detox.
If you are interested in Coastal Detox, call us today at 877-978-3125