;”>Withdrawal symptoms can be one of the scariest parts about quitting drugs or alcohol. No matter what the substance, your body will have some kind of reaction to quitting. The severity of the reaction depends on the length and severity of your addiction and other factors. When you are quitting any substance, the best thing you can do is go into a medically supervised detox. It is by far the safest and best way to begin your road to recovery.

What Happens When You Go Through Detox

When you suddenly quit any chemical, your body will react. This is because your organs and brain become accustomed to functioning with and around the substance. Basically, your body works with the chemicals, in different ways, in order to accommodate them. When you take your drug of choice away, your body goes through a sudden change. Sure, quitting is the best thing you can do, but while your body adjusts you can expect some unpleasant side effects.

Physically, you may experience:

• Headache
• Nausea
• Diarrhea
• Upset Stomach
• Tremors
• Dizziness
• Rapid heartbeat

Mentally, you may experience

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Feelings of hopelessness
• Intense desire to drink or use drugs
• Nightmares
• Sleeplessness

In severe cases, people can experience seizures and other life-threatening medical complications. Surprisingly, this happens most often with alcohol withdrawal. So, don’t think you are in the clear just because you have “only” been drinking. You may actually be worse off and need a medically supervised detox more than anyone!

What to Expect from a Medically Supervised Detox

A medically supervised detox is your first step towards achieving long-term sobriety. It gives you a much stronger platform to actually make it through detox, which usually lasts for a couple of days to a week. It is usually during this period that people trying to quit on their own relapse, simply because the symptoms are too uncomfortable.

During a detox, you will be surrounded by addiction treatment professionals. They will give you an extensive medical and mental exam when you arrive to establish a baseline and the severity of your addiction. They will also address any underlying medical conditions that could become complications during detox. You will be treated and given medications for any conditions you have, and also to ease the effects of your detox. You’ll feel more comfortable and at ease than you would go at it alone.

During the detox, you’ll be monitored around the clock. Things like your heart rate and blood pressure will be checked regularly along with your oxygen levels and general well-being. You will be allowed to rest as much as you need to in order for your body to get it’s strength back. You can be assured that this is the absolute safest way to go through detox.

As the days progress, your medication will be adjusted so that you are appropriately medicated – and not overly so. The goal is to get you through the challenge of detox and back to feeling yourself in as short of a time as possible. You’ll also be encouraged to attend group sessions, interact with your peers, and to eat a balanced diet as soon as you are able to.

After a Medically Supervised Detox

Once you have completed detox, you can choose to go back home, but the smartest thing to do is enter a treatment program. You’ll be given the tools to live a sober life and to make drugs or alcohol a thing of the past. You’ll have the support you can count on while you adjust to living sober, and you’ll be far away from the triggers and temptations of the outside world.

A Medically supervised detox is the best first step you can take towards getting sober. You’ll be in a comfortable environment where you are supported 24/7, without access to any drugs or alcohol. If you want to become sober once and for all, there is no better way to begin your journey towards sobriety.