How Do I Know I’m Ready to End Stimulant Detox and Begin Addiction Treatment?
Detox from stimulant drugs can take an extremely long time, much longer than most detox programs. However, there will come a time when you will be ready to begin rehab fully. Call 888-602-1971(Who Answers?) now to find safe, reliable detox programs that will help you make the transition into rehab.
How Long Should Stimulant Detox Take?
According to the National Library of Medicine, doctors once believed that cocaine was not as addictive as other drugs because the withdrawal effects associated with it are mostly psychological instead of physical.
However, “the level of craving, irritability, delayed depression, and other symptoms produced by cocaine withdrawal is as strong as other types of withdrawal, or even stronger.” Other stimulants (like meth, amphetamine, and methylphenidate) cause similar results.
In addition, these symptoms are not only strong but can last an extremely long time. People often feel irritable, depressed, and experience cravings long after they stop abusing stimulants. This does not mean, of course, that person must be entirely over their withdrawal symptoms before they begin a full rehab program, but it is best to have these issues more under control if the patient hopes to be able to focus on their rehab.
You may be ready for treatment if you no longer experience severe withdrawal symptoms.
Stimulant detox should take as long as it needs to, and the doctor and patient must be able to agree that the patient is ready to begin focusing on addiction treatment instead of just on managing their withdrawal symptoms. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, there are no specific medications approved to treat stimulant addiction and minimize withdrawal, and while pharmacological approaches are still used, most of the focus of the program is on using behavioral therapies to help patients manage their symptoms. One will often need to focus on this for at least a month or longer before beginning their addiction treatment.
How Do I Know I’m Ready for Rehab?
Every individual is different, and there is no one, specific timeline that every patient can follow in stimulant detox and rehab. However, you and your doctor, as stated above, should work together to ensure that you are ready for the transition and comfortable enough managing your withdrawal symptoms before you begin addiction treatment for real.
If you
- Have become successful at understanding, predicting, and managing your withdrawal symptoms to an extent
- Know your triggers and how to avoid them
- Have been screened for any comorbid disorders and, if suffering from any, you are being treated for them appropriately and in conjunction with your addiction/dependence on stimulants
- Are no longer experiencing any severe, acute withdrawal symptoms, which, as stated by the US Department of Veteran Affairs, may include:
- Agitation
- Fatigue
- Loss of physical and mental energy
- Decreased interest in surrounding environment
- Vivid dreams or nightmares
- General discomfort or restlessness
- A slowing of your physical activity
- Have talked to your doctor and you both feel that you are succeeding in your treatment thus far
you may be ready to start addiction treatment in full instead of just focusing on your detox.
Making the Transition
Making the transition into addiction treatment from a detox program is often much easier than attempting to find rehab on your own without help from trained clinicians. Many detox centers and rehab programs are one in the same, and they may allow you to make the transition more gradually, slowing implementing the aspects of rehab treatment into your care while you are still going through detox. Others may only present one type of treatment but will help you choose and begin attending a different program for your subsequent care when the time is right.
It is always important to remember, though, that you will not receive the total care you will need if you only attend a detox program and do not transition into rehab. As the NIDA states, “Detox alone with no follow-up is not treatment.”
Seek Stimulant Addiction Help Today
Stimulant abuse can cause a number of serious issues, among them a withdrawal syndrome that can linger for months, even years. We can help you find the best facility for your needs and the safest program to begin your recovery. Call 888-602-1971(Who Answers?) today.
