If you or someone you love has struggled with addiction and tried to overcome their cravings or withdrawals on their own, they might have faced serious setbacks. A big reason for this is that addiction, especially severe addiction, is best treated with professional detox centers that have the staff and qualifications to manage symptoms, cravings, and be ready for any medical complications.
But what is detox, when is it necessary, and why do you need a professional?
What is Detox?
Detox or detoxification is the process whereby you remove any residual compounds in your body from the drugs or alcohol you have used. There are plenty of substances to which you can become addicted, leaving behind compounds long after you have had the drug. This means you might use drugs on a Monday and still have those residual compounds days or weeks later.
The more you use drugs, the more compounds build up in your body. Because of this, when you stop using drugs or alcohol, your body goes into withdrawal. Detox can be medically managed at a professional detox center to help you with the side effects and physical or mental withdrawal symptoms of coming off of drugs and alcohol completely.
You are not struggling in isolation. Every year over 150,000 people in the state of California alone go into treatment for addiction.
The symptoms of withdrawal are many depending on your addiction, and the amount of time it takes to properly detox can range from a few days to a few weeks. You might experience:
- Sweating
- Hallucinations
- Seizures
- Insomnia
- Disorientation
- Anxiety
- Vomiting and nausea
- Muscle pain and shaking
- Headaches
There is really no way to know your symptoms and how severe they will be. You might have undergone detox in the past for another substance, and yet your next experience will be completely different from the first. Given the fact that you can’t predict with 100% accuracy what symptoms you will have or to what degree until you start the detox process see, it is better for you to enter into a facility with reputable medical staff who are flexible enough to adjust the treatments or the medications you receive based on what symptoms you have at the moment.
Why Do You Need a Professional Detox Center?
With professional detox centers, you get many benefits.
- The most significant benefit is medical supervision. Certain drugs like opioids and heroin or benzodiazepines come with severe health risks during detox. You could face significant dehydration, hallucinations, seizures, and even death. Trying to do this at home means you don’t have access to other medications that can help keep a steady heart rate, manage a seizure, or keep you hydrated. But with professional detox centers, do you have medical staff available 24 hours per day, constantly monitoring your vitals and providing medically assisted detox where necessary.
- Even in situations where you don’t run the risk of death, your withdrawal symptoms from different drugs and alcohol can still be incredibly unpleasant, but with professional detox centers, the next biggest benefit is being made comfortable. Not only can you detox away from the prying eyes of friends, family, or neighbors, but you can do so in an emotionally supportive environment with food, exercise, and medication to help make the symptoms more manageable.
Finding a Detox Center in Marin County, CA
If you are ready to use professional detox centers, let Marina Harbor Detox help. At Marina Harbor Detox, you can get treatment for your drug and alcohol detox in the beautiful and peaceful setting of Marin County. Our medically supervised programs are private, so you can utilize inpatient programs or outpatient programs that help you detox quickly and safely.
We understand that addiction doesn’t usually exist in isolation, and you might struggle with addiction to more than one substance. That is why our team will work with you during your initial evaluation to gather information on the substances you have used and provide 24-hour support during your detox to manage symptoms with other medications and help you get through the duration of your detox.
If you are ready to get help from professional detox centers, reach out to our staff to learn how we can help you take the first major step towards sobriety.
