Using scheduled drugs is no laughing matter. Over the course of just 15 years, 500,000 people perished when overdosing on opioids. But the opposite can be just as devastating: addiction withdrawal symptoms.
At some point, you or someone you love will have to find a way to quit a drug addiction. It won’t be easy, and many find the drug cravings nearly impossible to resist. Whatever the case, a drug detox in Camarillo is a surefire way to overcome the mountain of withdrawal symptoms.
How long does a detox take, and what is it like? In this guide, we will answer those questions and more. Read on for a deep dive into inpatient drug detox.
How Addiction Works
When you take certain substances, such as opioids or alcohol, your body acclimates to them. It begins to build up tolerance. For this reason, you need more of the drug to feel the same effect as before.
This is your body’s defense mechanism. Even over-the-counter drugs, such as Tylenol, lose their effect the more you use them.
The Purpose of Tolerance
Tolerance is, at a very basic level, an evolutionary advantage that protects you. If a drug had the same effect every time, you would be susceptible to any psychoactive substances you ingested. Unfortunately, though, this defense mechanism can work against you.
Your body begins to get used to the drug. With a regular dose, your body assumes that this is the status quo. It adapts accordingly–setting the stage for disaster.
Drug Withdrawal
Eventually, you reach a point where your body cannot function without that particular substance.
So, when you quit cold turkey–a drug detox–it puts your body in shock. Your body’s chemistry has adapted to function with that drug in your system, and now it’s gone.
Taking away the drug is almost like taking away food or water. Your body reacts as though you’ve been starved or dehydrated–except much worse. This is what causes the withdrawal symptoms.
What Are Addiction Withdrawal Symptoms?
Withdrawal symptoms differ from person to person. Further, they change over the course of an inpatient drug detox. Here is a list, in no specific order:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Physical pain across the body
- Cold sweats, runny nose, and teary eyes
- Muscle cramps, aches, and tremors
- Irritability, restlessness, and anxiety
- Depression, insomnia, and difficulty getting comfortable
- Delirium, hallucinations, and a general state of confusion
- Seizures
Depending on your drug of choice, withdrawals can manifest in different ways. Heroin, cocaine, alcohol, and marijuana all have very different withdrawal symptoms. Some people who use multiple drugs will get the worst of both worlds.
Getting a Drug Detox in Camarillo
If you are experiencing withdrawal symptoms, it’s time to nip the problem in the bud. Going cold turkey on your own will be extremely difficult. Many people have repeated try-fail cycles, and very few have managed to overcome the addiction.
There’s no better way to put this problem out to pasture than with a drug detox. This will allow you to get back to your best quality of life. Otherwise, you might spend months or years in this helpless cycle.
Obtaining a Medical Assessment
Before you begin a detox, a medical professional will perform an assessment on you. This is to review your past medical data and gather current readings on you. With this information, they will be able to create a customized plan for your recovery.
You may have relevant medical conditions or may be severely addicted to a substance. In these cases, a medical practitioner will exercise the utmost care. Withdrawal symptoms can be deadly in certain cases, so it is important to wean you strategically off of the substance.
How Does it Work?
A detox is fairly straightforward: personnel at your addiction recovery center keep you away from the drug, or taper off your usage. They keep you on the premises and restrict visits with other people. They close off all avenues by which you could obtain more drugs.
These professionals will give you medication that can help reduce your symptoms and drug cravings. They might include analgesics, sleeping aids, and relaxants. Their effects can counteract some of the withdrawal symptoms, but not all of them.
Even with the help of medication, this will be a very difficult road. However, it isn’t one that you have to take alone. You will have the full support of skilled, friendly staff as you weather some incredibly dark moments.
How Long Does a Detox Take?
This will depend on your individual biological makeup. On average, though, you can expect to spend anywhere from 7 to 10 days in medical detox. In some extreme cases, it may require up to two weeks.
Your time in detox will depend on the following factors:
- How much substance you used prior to coming into detox
- How severe your individual withdrawal symptoms are
- How well you are able to function on your own, both mentally and physically
Persistence Is Key
There’s no getting around it: drug detox sucks. You will experience a motley of symptoms, most of them quite unpleasant. The medication will only be able to stay some of the effects.
However, picture the alternative: being addicted. The only joy in addiction is the fleeting high that you get during the peak of your dose. The rest of the time you spend craving your next hit.
Living an addicted life is joyless. It drives many people to abuse the trust of their friends and family. Holding a job and taking care of everyday responsibilities becomes an impossible chore.
You can either take care of this problem now or regret not doing it sooner later on.
Get Help with Paradiso
A drug detox in Camarillo is often a crucial step in living an addiction-free life. Drug detox is not a pleasant experience, particularly because you will have to battle withdrawal symptoms. However, if you stay persistent, you will come out the other side ready to begin your path to full rehabilitation.
Paradiso is waiting at the ready to provide your medically-assisted drug detox. Begin our intake process and get yourself one step closer to freedom.