4 Things You Should Know About Detox | South Coast Counseling

If you or a loved one is struggling with drug abuse, here are four things you should know about drug and alcohol detox, and what it can do to the body.

Detoxification, most commonly referred to as “detox,” is the process an addict goes through when they are in withdrawal from a substance. Detox can be dangerous if not monitored by a professional and should not be attempted alone. If you or a loved one is struggling with drug abuse, here are four things you should know about drug and alcohol detox, and what it can do to the body.

1. Detox Can Be an Unpleasant Process

More often than not, detoxification from alcohol and drug abuse is not a pleasant experience. The addict will most like have uncomfortable symptoms that can last for an extended period of time. Depending on the substance that the addict has abused, the duration and frequency can all be factors that affect how long a detox process will last, or how severe the symptoms associated with such will be.

2. It Can Affect You Physically and Mentally

Common, physical symptoms of alcohol detox can include, but aren’t limited to: headaches, insomnia, nausea and vomiting, and sweating. Mental symptoms for both drug and alcohol detox can range from anxiety to depression, jumpiness, nightmares and more.

When the addict is in detox because of drug abuse, the physical symptoms are similar to that of alcohol detox, but depending on the drug, these symptoms can be more severe. For instance, those in drug detox can experience nausea and vomiting, but in addition to muscle tension, tightness in the chest and an elevated heart rate.

3. There are Dangers Associated with Detox

Especially with detox from drug abuse, the symptoms from such can be dangerous and even life-threatening. With alcohol detox, fever can spark, as well as hallucinations. In the most severe cases, the addict can experience a seizure.

As mentioned above, drug detox can cause an elevated heart rate, which can result in heart palpitations. The addict might have difficulty breathing and experience pain in their chest. A combination of these symptoms could result in strokes, heart attacks and grand mal seizures. Of course, only a small percentage of addicts going through detox experience these symptoms, and that number lowers even more when detox is monitored by a professional.

4. How Drug/Alcohol Rehab Can Help

If you or a loved one is going to go through detox, it is best to have the process monitored by a professional. They will be able to help you ease your symptoms and can react appropriately to an event, such as a heart attack,if one were to occur.

Additionally, these professional counselors can help you stay strong in your fight to become sober. It can be ease to cave-in while going through detox, but at the right Drug rehab Southern California center, you will be able to overcome your symptoms. After you have completed detox, you can move into recovery, where you will gain the tools you need in order to lead a sober life.

At South Coast Counseling, we help those who are going through the process of detox. Additionally, we offer counseling for the treatment of alcohol and drug abuse. Our professional and caring staff is here to help you overcome your addiction. Contact us today to start your journey towards sobriety.