Physical dependence is a condition that occurs as a result of long-term drug or alcohol abuse. It usually takes some time to develop, depending on the potency of the drug in question. Dependence is also not limited to illicit drug abuse but can also occur in people who take prescription drugs like opioids or benzos for long periods or if they misuse these medications. To ensure that individuals experiencing withdrawals or who want to quit substance use do so safely and efficiently, our drug and alcohol detox facilities in the Northeast offer medically monitored services that can help. Below is more on the detoxification services offered at our Massachusetts and Pennsylvania rehab centers.
What Is Medical Detox?
A person who frequently abuses drugs or alcohol will eventually develop a physical dependence. Physical dependence refers to the body’s chronic need for a substance. This need is a result of a developed tolerance, which occurs when a person continues to use more substances to experience the same high they experienced when they first used drugs or drank excessively.
Not only can dependence be physical, but it can also be mental, as many people begin using drugs or alcohol to cope with mental illness or trauma. Physical dependence is also marked by various withdrawal symptoms, which range in severity and nature depending on the type of drug, how much the person has used or drank, and how long they’ve been addicted. These withdrawals are often uncomfortable and painful enough to cause relapse and make recovery difficult.
For this reason, it’s common for individuals with drug or alcohol dependence to continue using these substances long-term, eventually developing an addiction. In these cases, the individual can greatly benefit from the assistance of a medical detox facility to recover.
What Happens When You Detox?
Medical detox for drugs is a medically assisted treatment in which the patient slowly weans off of drugs or alcohol. During detox, as these substances are naturally flushed out of the person’s system, the individual may experience physical side effects called withdrawal symptoms. Withdrawal symptoms can be extremely uncomfortable and can lead to complications without treatment.
Common detox symptoms include:
- Anxiety
- Body aches and shaking
- Depression
- Excessive sweating
- Fevers
- Hallucinations
- Headaches
- Fatigue
- Increased blood pressure
- Increased heart rate
- Nausea and vomiting
- Insomnia or difficulty sleeping
These symptoms occur because the body is adjusting to the sudden lack of drugs or alcohol as well as changes in chemical levels that are accustomed to being overly stimulated or depressed. Complications concerning these symptoms are more likely to occur if the individual attempts to detox at home or quit cold turkey.
Our drug and alcohol detox centers in Massachusetts and Pennsylvania are led by staff who are trained and licensed to administer appropriate medications to mitigate withdrawal symptoms. Medical detox is important for recovery because it offers patients 24-hour supervision and mitigates the severity of addiction cravings.
How Long Does Detox Fatigue Last?
Detox symptoms like fatigue peak anywhere within 24 to 72 hours and can last several weeks. However, the duration of detox fatigue, or withdrawal fatigue, depends on several factors, including the substance being detoxed from, the individual’s overall health, and the extent of their substance use.
If you’re considering detoxing from drugs or alcohol, don’t let fatigue deter you from taking this step in recovery. While withdrawal fatigue may be challenging, it is usually a temporary phase in the recovery process. If you or someone you know is experiencing detox-induced fatigue, seek out the medical attention of experts like the detox specialists at our Northeast rehab in Wilkes-Barre or Baldwinville.
Finding Medical Detox Centers Near Me
So, how does detox work? At both Clearbrook detox centers in Massachusetts and Pennsylvania, we understand that the withdrawal process can be scary and uncomfortable. All the more reason to come to our Northeast rehab locations to get professional help with such a crucial process.
Our detox facilities provide 24-hour care and support to help patients safely get through the withdrawal phase of recovery. During this stage of substance abuse treatment, our doctors also administer detox drugs or medications as needed to offer relief to patients as they’re going through withdrawal.
Regardless of the location, patients at our Clearbrook detox facilities will receive the safest and most effective level of care. To ensure clients receive individualized treatment, we conduct clinical assessments to collect all the information we need to create an addiction treatment plan that meets their needs. Following this evaluation, patients may then begin their treatment with detox for drug addiction or alcohol abuse.
Detox is only the first step to treating addiction. After patients complete a medical detox, they can then move on to our residential addiction treatment. This is an inpatient rehab program that separates patients from their everyday environments to prevent distractions and promote full recovery.
