When individuals are addicted to a substance, their body has become dependent on that substance to function. If the body does not get that substance, it can go into what is known as withdrawals. Detoxing is the withdrawal process. It is the process of getting all of the substance out of your body and allowing your body to learn to function without that substance. The alcohol and drug detox process can take anywhere from a few days to months for some withdrawal symptoms to subside (such as cravings). Depending on several factors, the medical detox process can be difficult, painful, or dangerous for some. 
How a Medical Detoxification is Crucial
Utilizing a detox program to aid you during your detox phase can greatly help reduce or eliminate many of the physical symptoms of detox. Some programs also offer therapy services during the process, which can help manage some of the emotions felt during detox. The medications that your detox program will give you will depend on the substances you are detoxing from. Detox provides a safe alternative to going the route cold turkey. These programs are tailored to each individual and can help to eliminate cravings or impulses to use; they can provide relief from physical manifestations of withdrawal, provide a strong support system for the emotional aspect of detox, provide nutritious and healthy meals to help aid the detox process, and help prevent any risks of death from the detox process. Professional medical detox programs can be inpatient or outpatient. An inpatient program offers around-the-clock care and support, which could be essential for the emotional aspect of detox.
Are There Any Downsides to Drug or Alcohol Detox?
Medical detox is the first step toward recovery from addiction. Unfortunately, this is a step that many people fear facing. Withdrawals from drugs and alcohol can be physically and mentally unbearable. During the detox process, one can expect to feel an array of physical symptoms of withdrawal. These symptoms vary for each person depending on factors such as what substance they are addicted to, how long and how much they used the substance if more than one substance was used, co-occurring disorders, overall physical health, age, and gender. Common symptoms during withdrawal include:
- Nervousness or anxiety
- Trouble sleeping
- Frequent yawning
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Muscle cramps or body aches
- Runny nose
- Excessive sweating
- Hot and cold flashes
- Goosebumps
- Elevated blood pressure
- Racing pulse
- Tremors
- Agitation
- Headache
- Hallucinations
- Seizures
- Cravings for the substance
- Regret, second-guessing, and emotional distress
These symptoms will vary based on your personal history and how you choose to detox. There are two detox methods: to go cold turkey and just quit or to taper off with medical interventions. Many detox programs offer relief for many of these symptoms.
Feeling Encountered During the Detox Process
While detox can be physically challenging, it can also present an array of emotional changes and challenges. For example, during detox, an individual may feel vulnerable, angry, fearful, sad, grief or hopeless, or regret and second guess detoxing. This emotional upheaval is called the healing crisis- and it is a completely normal aspect of detoxing. During this “crisis,” individuals may begin to release stored emotions that their addiction was previously masking and experience new emotions related to the changes they face and are about to face. Therefore, it is imperative to have a strong support system and learn how to manage and handle the emotions being felt properly.
Handling Self-Doubt During Addiction Detox
Learning new ways to manage emotions is part of the rehab process. However, during detox, you are just now starting this journey. You have not yet been equipped with all of the tools and knowledge to learn how to process. One of the biggest and most concerning emotions felt during detox programs is self-doubt and second-guessing yourself or the decision to get sober. You can do many things to help you manage these emotions and get your mind back into the game.
- Utilize your support system
- Talk to your therapist
- Remember the end goal
- Remind yourself of the positive outcome
- Journal your thoughts when you decide to detox. This will give you something to look back on when you second-guess your decision.
- Journal to get your emotions out when you doubt yourself. This can remind you that you made it through the doubt before.
- Practice mindfulness
- Meditate or do yoga
- Exercise
- Distract your mind by playing a game or crafting
- Get a dose of dopamine- Feed your brain happy things. Dopamine helps provide motivation.
It is important to feel those emotions no matter what you are feeling. Therefore, part of the healing process is learning to handle your emotions appropriately. This is one reason a detox program is extremely beneficial to success- it can provide you with the tools and resources to learn how to cope with these emotions and gain confidence in your journey.
The Right Detox Program Can Help in Getting SOBER
At Evoke Wellness facilities, our goal is to make the detox process as comfortable and safe as possible. We offer a 24-hour medical detox program. Our staff of highly trained, professional medical personnel is available to monitor, medicate, and minimize the withdrawal symptoms. We also provide you with individual and group therapy sessions to help you overcome any emotions or second-guessing. Once your detox is complete, we offer ongoing support to ensure your journey’s best rate of success. So don’t wait any longer to start your road to recovery. Call us today to start healing.
