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Why Withdrawal Management Helps Your Detox

man detoxWhat most people initially fear most about addiction treatment is the detoxification process. Without a doubt, it can be a challenging few weeks for some people, especially based on the substances they used and for how long. But with the proper medical and psychological guidance—also known as withdrawal management—the detox phase of treatment is much easier.

Detox Is Only the Beginning of Recovery

Often when people think of going to an addiction recovery center, they remember what they’ve seen in entertainment: individuals suffering with extreme withdrawal symptoms, including hallucinations and severe physical discomfort.

Now, not everyone experiences detoxification the same way. However, no matter how difficult their life might be under the influence of drugs or alcohol, this stage of treatment frequently evokes the most fear in people about the recovery process—so much so, it keeps many from seeking the quality care necessary to make positive changes. Yet it’s a necessary first step to break the cycle of substance dependency.

Why is detox important? Because as long as chemical toxins continue to affect the mind and body, it’s more complicated for an individual to go through the next stages of treatment successfully, including counseling, behavioral modification, 12-Step support, and other factors. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism details exactly how drinking impacts mental and physical health in this chart. The National Institute on Drug Abuse also describes the effects of many substances, from marijuana and inhalants to opioids and methamphetamine. 

In most cases, people experience various withdrawal symptoms based on the intensity and duration of drug and alcohol use. Symptoms often include, but aren’t limited to: 

  • Anxiety
  • Tremors
  • Increased pulse
  • Sleeping problems
  • Sensations of burning, numbness, or tingling
  • Restlessness
  • Agitation and irritability 
  • Nausea 
  • Muscle aches
  • Sweating
  • Diarrhea
  • Goosebumps
  • Fatigue
  • Slowed activity levels
  • Increased appetite
  • Depression
  • Thoughts of suicide

Without specific withdrawal guidelines and assistance, the effects can be just like every nightmarish scene depicted in film and television—and certainly trying to detox “cold turkey” isn’t a safe or recommended option.

What Is Withdrawal Management?

When researching addiction treatment facilities in New Jersey or elsewhere, it’s critical for the effectiveness of your recovery program to learn how centers handle detoxification, if they have medical professionals monitoring continued care, and what methods are used to help ease the transition into better clarity and health.

Each individual who needs help for substance use disorder (SUD) and alcohol use disorder (AUD) should have a comprehensive medical assessment before addiction treatment.

Unfortunately, addiction takes a toll on health, and it’s not uncommon for someone to need direct medical attention in a hospital before continuing with the rehabilitation process. So any facility you choose should be staffed with board-certified healthcare professionals who not only provide this essential intake evaluation but are also part of a 24-hour care team that will monitor the detoxification process once it’s safe to do so.

Once someone enters the detoxification process, a withdrawal management program offers many benefits, including: 

  • A medically monitored withdrawal and detoxification program to help minimize the impact of both physiological and psychological symptoms 
  • Medication-assisted treatment, if necessary
  • Mental status examinations, leading to in-depth behavioral therapy and motivational counseling  
  • Addiction education
  • Nutrition and wellness management
  • Relapse prevention

Each person experiences initial withdrawal differently—it might take two to three weeks before someone stops feeling the physical effects of addiction as acutely and can think more clearly. Will that time be pleasant? Probably not. But each day is better than the one before it, and using a withdrawal management approach gradually eases discomfort so other aspects of the treatment program are more accepted. This is when true recovery begins.

How Seabrook Can Help

As you or a loved one acknowledges that sobriety is necessary for a healthy life, it’s important to remember that you’re never alone in recovery. The partnership between a rehab facility and a client should be based on quality care and evidence-based, whole-person treatment based on your background and wellness goals: two primary advantages offered by the board-certified medical professionals at Seabrook.

Our addiction science specialists understand the vital role of not only detox assistance but also rehabilitation extended care, outpatient care, and peer groups to help forge a successful recovery for life. Our facility also provides an extensive withdrawal management program, a Tactical Recovery program for military veterans and servicemembers, and the Family Matrix program, a rehabilitation model that helps heal within the core unit of support. Combined with holistic and wellness health management tools, you’ll thrive in treatment designed to meet you where you are and, more importantly, guide you toward a better future. Call us today to learn how we can help you.     

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