Drug and alcohol addiction are complex and difficult to overcome. The process of breaking addiction requires first withdrawing from the substance, then addressing the underlying causes of the addiction. The withdrawal phase takes from one to several weeks, depending on the type, length, and severity of the addiction. The rehabilitation phase, where the underlying issues of addiction are treated, takes from several weeks to several months.
Though this may seem like a long period of time, most people who enter drug and alcohol rehab programs find the time passes quickly. When they leave the treatment center, they feel fresh, healthy, and empowered. With their desire for the substance under control, they often turn to other activities that make them feel well and productive. As more time passes, their desire for drugs and alcohol continually diminishes. Many times, they completely lose all desire for drugs and alcohol as other aspects of life become their focus.
Is it time to enter a drug treatment center?
If addiction has set in, the answer must be yes. The powerful street drugs of today are manufactured with a never before seen potency. Heroin has become an epidemic because of this. It is often cut with dangerous additives like fentanyl.
These drugs are too powerful for the human body to tolerate in any quantity for even a short period of time. Once addiction has set in, the withdrawal symptoms force people to continue using the drug. Breaking the addiction requires medically supervised detox.
What is medically supervised detox?
During this process, clients usually remain at the drug treatment center on an inpatient basis. This not only keeps clients away from environments where drugs are readily available, it also allows staff to monitor the client’s health and provide medication that reduce withdrawal effects.
Many rehab clients face dangerous drug withdrawal effects. It is crucial to provide medication for their health and safety. For example, severe alcohol withdrawal can lead to delirium tremens, which causes convulsions, extreme panic, and hallucinations. Many street drugs have similar and sometimes more extreme withdrawal symptoms.
Medications reduce these symptoms to safe and tolerable levels. Once detox is complete, the client is ready to move to rehabilitation, where counseling and support help them better understand how to avoid relapse. Success is often achieved through combinations of therapies, such as counseling and group therapy.
Addiction to hard drugs and alcohol can destroy a person’s dreams and leave them in a state of ill-health. For those suffering addiction, reaching out for help provides a path to permanent sobriety. Our counselors are available 24 hours a day. Call 844-903-2111