No matter how you want to go about it, a detox is no walk in the park. This process is often accompanied by inevitable withdrawal symptoms that can leave you feeling physically and emotionally drained. Fortunately, how you choose to go about this process may make it easier, and in the end, sobriety is well worth it.
At-Home Detox vs. Medical Detox
Detoxing at home and a medical detox are two very different things. Before you choose one or the other, you should know exactly what you could be getting yourself into.
Trying to Detox at Home
The tempting aspect of this approach is that you get to be in the comfort of your own home. You can stay in your own room and have everything already there. You may also be surrounded by loved ones or even a pet to help you through.
While these aspects may be nice, it is also more dangerous than a medical detox. Both a drug and alcohol detox is accompanied by withdrawal symptoms that can range in severity. While most people will be uncomfortable from withdrawal, some people may experience serious health complications. If you are detoxing at home, you will be unable to get medical attention as quickly as you may need. Especially if you are not in good health, this could be dangerous.
Even if you do not have any complications, the withdrawal symptoms can leave you feeling physically ill and mentally drained. If you are at home, you are forced to try and navigate these symptoms on your own. You may not have the proper medicine on hand to address the physical symptoms. Also, while your loved ones are there to help, they likely will not understand what you are going through or how to support you mentally.
A big factor when comparing at-home detox and a medical detox in a professional facility is also the success rate. Unfortunately, relapse is likely with an at-home detox as people are often trying to go through this process alone. Often the drug cravings are so great that, without someone to hold them accountable, they use again.
Detoxing at home is best for people who have milder substance abuse problems and are in good health otherwise. It is also better if these people have a good support system already in place to help them.
Getting a Medical Detox
The biggest difference between detoxing at home and a medical detox is safety. Because of the possible health complications, a medical detox is the safest way to detox from drugs or alcohol. A medical detox involves the supervision of medical professionals throughout the entire process. These professionals can act quickly if any complications arise or if withdrawal symptoms are severe.
Not only does it keep the patient safe, but a medical detox is often the more comfortable option. Because medical staff are present, they are able to help patients ease the physical withdrawal symptoms throughout the process as well as to help with the mental withdrawal symptoms. Detox can be physically as well as mentally draining, so a medical detox is designed to help patients with both. While medication may be able to ease some of the physical pain, substance abuse therapies can start to address the psychological aspects of addiction. Together this comprehensive approach can lead to greater long-term success.
A medical detox is best for more severe addictions where withdrawal is likely to be worse, but anyone who has become dependent on drugs or alcohol would benefit from this professional help. Our drug detox center in Illinois offers 24-hour support from experienced staff members who do their best to make the process as comfortable as possible.
A detox is only the beginning. In order to find lasting sobriety, other treatment is usually necessary. Our residential rehab helps patients look at the bigger picture of addiction and work through all of the issues involved. To learn more about us and our programs at Banyan Treatment Centers Heartland, do not hesitate to reach out.
Call us today at 888-280-4763 to talk to an admissions specialist.
