Detoxification is usually the first step that must happen when trying to get off drugs. Detoxification means “acute withdrawal”. These symptoms can last for up to seven days depending on what it is the patient is detoxing from. There really is no easy way; the promise of a painless detoxification is not going to happen.
There are studies that suggest using other drugs may ease the withdrawal symptoms, but usually the other drug leads to discomfort, and the pain of withdrawal is still very hard to handle. To realize how this process feels, let’s imagine the worst flu
you’ve ever had in your life. You know, the chills, sweats, stomach
cramps, vomiting, diarrhea, and having all these ailments lasting for
at least seven days. This is a good description of what happens when
detoxing from illicit drugs. Wouldn’t you want some kind of relief? It
is human nature to want a solution and usually we want that solution
immediately.
It is understandable that some people think that
they can go to a detox facility for six to eight hours and come out
better, but this not true. In the beginning there should be medication
to help in the detoxification process. When coming off of alcohol there
should be a small dose of librium or valium; this can stop the delirium
tremors from coming on. Heroin is extremely hard to
kick; many addicts try to get methadone. There are methadone clinics
located in most inner cities. After about 72 hours of monitored rest a
heroin addict is usually feeling better. With heroin the detoxification
process is harder because the patient can not eat or sleep for a few
days depending on how long the addict has been using the drug. This is
because the drug builds up a tolerance level and it takes longer to
kick the habit.
If detoxification is what you need and not a
maintenance program, then the route to take is to get help through a
detoxification facility and into an inpatient program. Become a part of
the recovery process in order to stay clean and regain you life back.
It is possible to recover from addiction but you have to want to quit
more than you want get high.
References:
Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Weekly. Research Calls Rapid Opioid Detox
Unsafe. August 29, 2005 v17 i33 p1 (3). http://infotrackcollege.com
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By:susan slater Posted: Jan 16 2006 12:25:18 PM