Do I Need Detox?

Drug and alcohol addiction affects people of all ages, genders, and backgrounds with devastating consequences. Recreational use of drugs and alcohol can quickly escalate to active addiction. People often feel ashamed, hopeless, and isolated while struggling with addiction. They may try to cut back or quit many times without success.

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Getting professional addiction treatment and support helps people take back control of their lives. When someone decides to take that first step toward recovery, they may wonder “Do I need detox?” At Ambrosia Treatment Center, our addiction specialists can perform a complete assessment to help clients find the appropriate level of care based on their unique needs.

Table of Contents

Substance Use Disorders and Addiction

A substance use disorder (SUD) is a complex condition in which there is uncontrolled use of a substance despite harmful consequences. People with SUD have a strong impulse to use certain substances such as alcohol or illicit drugs. A SUD can range from mild to severe, with active addiction being the most severe.

Addiction is a serious chronic disease in which someone compulsively uses drugs or alcohol regardless of the negative consequences. It can result in physical and psychological dependence. Also, addiction damages personal relationships and potentially leads to legal and financial problems.

Drug and alcohol addiction is linked to a variety of potential causes. These include genetics, underlying mental health disorders, learned behavior, past trauma, and personal choices. People who struggle with a substance use disorder often have difficulty quitting on their own. Frequent use can quickly lead to physical dependence, strong cravings for the substance, and uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms when they try to cut back or stop.

It’s important for individuals suffering from addiction to seek help as soon as possible. It can cause serious harm both physically and mentally if left untreated. Treatment for drug and alcohol addiction typically involves detoxification, medication-assisted treatment, individual counseling, support groups, and other forms of therapy.

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Addiction and the Brain

Addiction has far-reaching effects on an individual’s physical and mental health. Also, it is known to affect the brain, which explains many of the problem behaviors associated with addiction. Furthermore, when someone engages in substance use, they experience multiple biological changes within the brain.

Drug and alcohol use leads to certain pleasurable and rewarding sensations. This continuous reward cycle reinforces the addictive behavior, making it difficult for individuals to break free from their addiction. The chemical dopamine is responsible for creating these enjoyable feelings. When people use these substances, dopamine is released into the brain’s reward system., inducing intense feelings of pleasure and satisfaction.

At the same time, this process also strengthens neural pathways that form between neurons. Thus, making it easier to recall memories associated with those activities. As a result, this further reinforces compulsive behaviors as it becomes easier to think about engaging in them again and again.

Additionally, long-term substance use can lead to changes in other chemicals like glutamate and GABA. These are necessary for normal cognitive functioning but become imbalanced due to excessive drug and alcohol use. As a result, individuals may have difficulty controlling their impulses, emotions, and decision-making.

The resulting lack of self-control makes it difficult for people in active addiction to recognize future consequences. This can lead them toward relapse even after periods of abstinence or recovery have been achieved. All these different mechanisms combined can make breaking free from addiction challenging but not impossible.

Signs and Symptoms of Drug Addiction

It is important to recognize the warning signs of drug addiction to seek treatment before the situation worsens. Many signs and symptoms depend on a variety of factors such as the type of drug being used and the level of use. Even mild recreational use can quickly lead to active addiction.

Physical Signs and Symptoms

Bloodshot eyes, pupils larger or smaller than usual
Changes in appetite
Sleep disturbances
Deterioration of physical appearance, personal grooming habits
Runny nose or sniffling
Sudden weight loss or weight gain
Tremors, slurred speech, or impaired coordination
Unusual odors on breath, body, or clothing

Behavioral Signs and Symptoms

Relationship problems
Secretive or suspicious behaviors
Legal trouble, including fights, accidents, illegal activities, and driving under the influence
Neglecting responsibilities at work, school, or home, including neglecting children
Sudden change in friends, favorite hangouts, and hobbies
Unexplained need for money or financial problems (may borrow or steal money)
Risky behavior (driving while using drugs, using dirty needles, unprotected sex)
Increased drug tolerance (the need to use more of the drug to experience the same effects)
Misusing drugs to avoid or relieve withdrawal symptoms
Loss of control over drug use (using more than intended, unable to stop)
Life revolves around drug use (thinking of using, how to get more, or recovering from use)
Abandoning enjoyable activities (hobbies, sports, and socializing) to use drugs
Continuing to use it regardless of negative consequences

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Do I Need Detox for Drug Addiction?

Many people do need detox when beginning recovery depending on the drug and level of dependence. Effective addiction treatment addresses both biological components as well as psychological ones. A drug detox program can provide medications to help keep clients comfortable and safe during the withdrawal process. In addition, they receive emotional support and counseling services such as cognitive-behavioral therapy. This helps to build coping strategies necessary for preventing relapse over long periods.

In addition to being associated with specific drugs such as alcohol or opioids, detox can also be prescribed for individuals who are struggling with polydrug use. Often, individuals may be using multiple substances at once. As a result, this combination of substances can be even more dangerous than just one alone. This greatly increases the risk of overdose or other lethal consequences if left untreated.

Detoxification involves the process of slowly reducing and eventually eliminating the drug from an individual’s system. This should be done under medical supervision in a professional treatment facility. Here, patients can avoid the risk of severe side effects or life-threatening complications. Detox is an important first step to sober living. Following detox, clients should transition to other levels of care to continue treatment with more programs for the best outcomes.

Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD)

Alcohol use disorder (AUD)—also known as alcoholism—is a type of substance use disorder characterized by an individual’s excessive use of alcohol. This includes binge drinking, which puts health and safety at risk. It is classified as a type of addiction and can be diagnosed if an individual has two or more out of eleven criteria based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). AUD leads to dependence and causes someone to consume more alcohol to get the same effect. They will also suffer withdrawal symptoms when they try to reduce or stop consumption.

Effects of alcohol use disorder include:

- Difficulty controlling how much and how often they drink
- Cravings for alcohol
- Withdrawal symptoms when not drinking
- Spending large amounts of time trying to obtain and consume alcohol
- Developing tolerance so higher amounts are needed for the same effect
- Neglecting responsibilities or hobbies because of their drinking habits
- Continued use despite knowing it has caused physical or psychological harm
- Drinking in dangerous situations such as driving
- Legal troubles resulting from arrests related to intoxication
- Mental health problems such as depression and anxiety
- Alcohol poisoning
- Associated with increased violence such as domestic violence, homicide, suicide, sexual assault
- Long-term health consequences include liver disease, heart disease, digestive problems, and cance

Do I Need Alcohol Detox?

If someone is struggling with alcohol addiction they likely do need alcohol detox. When someone decides to take the first step toward recovery they should seek professional help. After long periods of heavy drinking, withdrawal symptoms can be severe and life-threatening.

Therefore, to prevent complications associated with alcohol withdrawal individuals must seek professional help. Medical professionals can provide specialized monitoring as well as medications to reduce symptoms safely during alcohol detox. Additionally, therapy is critical to sustaining long-term sobriety.

Withdrawal Symptoms and Timeline During Alcohol Detox

Alcohol withdrawal symptoms can vary in intensity and severity. This depends on the individual’s drinking habits and the length of time they’ve been drinking heavily. Typically, the timeline for alcohol withdrawal follows a pattern of increasing severity over several days.

On the first day after one’s last drink, there tend to be some mild symptoms such as anxiety and sweating.

By day two or three these symptoms may get worse with an onset of additional physical symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, palpitations, and headaches.

Day four or five is usually when emotional instability becomes much more prominent as well as confusion and disorientation.

From there it typically peaks somewhere around day six or seven where DTs may occur if not managed properly with medical supervision. After this point, symptoms usually start to subside. However, they can persist for up to weeks in some cases due to post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS).

Opioid Use Disorder (OUD)

Opioid use disorder (OUD) treatments are designed to help individuals manage their addiction, reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms, and achieve long-term recovery. The primary goal of these programs is to identify the underlying causes of addiction, create an effective treatment plan, and develop a strong relapse prevention strategy.

Also, treatment focuses on rebuilding relationships with loved ones, as well as providing support throughout the recovery journey. Group therapy sessions are also often part of opioid use disorder treatments. Individuals can share their experiences with others facing similar struggles while gaining valuable insight into their behavior patterns around drugs and alcohol.

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Do I Need Detox for Opioid Use Disorder?

The first step in opioid use disorder treatment is detoxification. This process usually takes place in an inpatient setting under strict medical supervision. During detox, the individual is slowly tapered off the substance to minimize withdrawal symptoms. Medications such as buprenorphine or methadone may be used to manage severe cravings. They can also reduce physical dependence on opioids over time.

The next phase of OUD treatment involves therapy and counseling sessions with trained professionals who specialize in substance use treatment. These sessions focus on identifying triggers for drug use and developing coping strategies for relapse prevention. In addition, they can address underlying mental health issues and work through trauma or grief that may have contributed to addiction.

In addition to traditional therapies, medication-assisted treatment (MAT) helps reduce cravings and other withdrawal symptoms associated with abstinence from opioids. MAT involves using medications such as buprenorphine or naltrexone which act similarly to opioids. These do not cause intoxication or produce euphoric effects which allow individuals to focus on recovery. Furthermore, research has indicated that combining MAT with psychosocial interventions increases the likelihood of long-term success.

Can I Detox at Home?

Professionals usually do not advise anyone dependent on a substance to detox from home. There are many considerations such as the health of a person, the substance of use, the environment, and the support system. First, alcohol detox should always be done under medical supervision due to the serious withdrawal complications that can occur, including death.

In addition, detox and inpatient programs can benefit those with a history of substance use involving polydrug use, heroin or other opioids, and prescription sedatives. Also, those who require around-the-clock medical support and withdrawal management medications. The withdrawal process from any substance can lead to mental health disturbances as well. A medically-supervised detox can address mental health concerns and provide support and certain medications.

Discover Freedom in Recovery

Ambrosia Treatment Center provides comprehensive care both during detox and beyond. Our approach focuses on lifestyle changes that will enable individuals to live happier and healthier lives, without relying on drugs or alcohol. We understand that taking the first step can be challenging. We are here to help. Lasting recovery is possible.