I Detoxed from Drugs: Am I Cured?
Detox is not a cure for addiction. If you have been abusing drugs recreationally or for some other reason and are suffering from addiction, you will need to attend professional treatment that goes beyond detox. Call 888-602-1971(Who Answers?) now to find rehab centers where you can withdraw from drugs safely and receive addiction treatment as well.
The Purpose of Detox
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, “Detoxification is the process of allowing the body to rid itself of a drug while managing the symptoms of withdrawal.” It is much safer to go through this process in a rehab center and under the care of professionals because some withdrawal symptoms can be severe and even deadly.
The purpose of detox is to help a person end their dependence on a drug gradually and to manage the symptoms of withdrawal they are likely to experience.
Dependence, however, is not the same as addiction. One’s mind and body will no longer be dependent on the drug after detox, but if they were abusing that substance, they will still experience cravings, triggers, and other issues associated with recovery.
Without the proper treatment for these effects, relapse is extremely likely. As stated by the NIDA, “Detox alone with no follow-up is not treatment.”
Why Isn’t Detox Enough?
Recovery is a lifelong process; detox is only the first step.
While even addiction treatment is not considered a cure for addiction and rather a preventative program that helps patients maintain and minimize their issues associated with recovery, detox is absolutely not enough on its own to help someone recover from addiction.
The program merely focuses on the psychological and physical symptoms of withdrawal, and this is not enough to constitute a recovery.
People who do not attend addiction treatment after detox often relapse because they do not realize how many issues they still have with their substance abuse, as well as with co-occurring disorders that are very common among addicts.
Addiction recovery is a long process that does require specific treatment options targeted at the issues many addicts experience during recovery.
How Do I Recover?
You can recover from addiction by first going through detox in a professional treatment program and then, once the symptoms of withdrawal have subsided, attending a rehab program that will focus on your addiction.
Many facilities offer both to patients in order to make the transition much easier. According to the NIDA, treatment approaches for addiction include:
- Medications
- Behavioral counseling
- The evaluation and treatment of any co-occurring mental disorders the individual might be suffering from
- Holistic options (such as yoga, meditation, pet therapy, etc.)
- Vocational, housing, and social help
- Aftercare
With addiction treatment following a safe detox period, you can actually learn to change the way you think about drug abuse as well as adopt better behaviors, skills, and attitudes that will lead to a life of recovery.
Do You Need Treatment for Addiction?
Call 888-602-1971(Who Answers?) now to find rehab centers that will cater to your needs and help you make a strong and successful recovery from substance abuse.
