Drug addiction is an extremely complicated illness. Depending on what drugs you’ve been using, your detox may take more time. Your physical condition may be more fragile. Most importantly, you may have mental health issues crop up and need treatment. What type of drug rehab program will work best for you?
One that addresses underlying issues that have been contributing to your addiction. Because some drugs are legal, normal parts of our everyday life and some are not, you may be struggling with legal challenges. You may even be facing jail time. If detox and rehab are offered as an alternative or an add-on to your sentence, it is critical that you avail yourself of therapies that can help you live a safer, healthier life once you are past this tough time.
Drug Rehab Can Serve As a Bridge
Detox and rehab are not easy processes, but it is important to think of them as separate struggles. During detox, you will be supported by medical professionals as the drugs are allowed to drain from your system. Quite literally, you will be given time to safely empty your body and brain of drugs. Because drug cravings can be so strong as to dangerously alter your thinking process, detox will probably be quite uncomfortable. While undergoing detox, you may need to receive
- medications to reduce your discomfort
- IV fluids to maintain hydration
- maintenance meds to help you fight nausea
Despite all this support, you may also experience muscle cramps and perspiration. You won’t feel especially clean and you may find the medical monitoring intrusive. However, detox can be fatal. Careful monitoring by skilled professionals will keep you alive as you work through the discomfort of detox. It’s hard to confirm a detox timeline.
Some drugs, such as alcohol, can take a week to cleanse from your system. It can take up to two weeks to fully detox from cocaine. Once you move into rehab, the healing of your brain and spirit can begin. There are many drugs that flood the brain with dopamine, or the “feel good” chemical. Constant over-exposure to this rush can lead to a shutdown of your own dopamine production. Another reaction a flood of dopamine is a reduction in the sensitivity of your dopamine receptors. Indications are that dopamine receptors can be brought back online via various therapies.
Cognitive behavioral therapy can help you better understand the triggers that contribute to your addictive behaviors. Reward therapy can help you redirect your need for positive outcomes away from drug cravings. All of these therapies will take time to work. You will also need to decide between inpatient and outpatient rehab. If you have a strong community at home and ways to reach out for emotional support during the day, an outpatient rehab may allow you to live with your family while attending group therapy, individual therapy and family counseling. For many in recovery, outpatient rehab is the least disruptive. However, if your homelife is a contributing factor in your active addiction, then an inpatient rehab may be the better choice.
Additionally, inpatient rehab can be very effective for those who are dealing with a lot of physical damage from their addiction. Addictive substances can be incredibly hard on the body. Alcohol can damage your liver, contribute to your risk of diabetes, and increase your risk of gum disease. Cocaine is hard on your heart and can be damaging to your sinuses, lungs and throat. Meth can cause a great deal of damage to your teeth in a very short amount of time. If the addictive substances you’ve been using have greatly damaged your body, inpatient rehab may be the best choice to allow you to rebuild your physical health while undergoing mental health treatment.
Depending on the factors that pushed you into detox and rehab, you may find that you are required to go to inpatient rehab to fulfill legal requirements. No matter the initial reason for your entry into detox and rehab, your commitment to the process may be simpler if you enter inpatient rehab. Our counselors are available 24 hours a day. Call 833-846-5669.