Addiction essentially trains your body to grow dependent on the drug or substance. That’s why the longer the addiction continues, the more dependent your body becomes on the substance, and the tougher your withdrawal will be. In many cases, it’s not recommended for recovering addicts to get clean through natural methods. Some of the drugs are too powerful, so much so that withdrawal can go beyond discomfort. It can be quite dangerous.
How It Starts
Some people seek out a reward or benefit when they try out drugs or alcohol, says the National Authority for the Campaign against Alcohol and Drug Abuse or NACADA. Whether it’s for the physical relief—getting high or drunk—most people try it once or a few times. Before they know it, they’re looking for the next fix or drink. That’s how fast it can happen.
Withdrawal
The core part of your treatment is withdrawal. The process typically involves three steps: evaluation, stabilization and preparation for regular treatment.
Evaluation
Your condition must be assessed by the doctors so that they can determine how much the addiction has progressed. This helps them figure out what kind of physical or mental illnesses you might have along with the addiction. Many recovering addicts find themselves unable to get help for co-occurring illnesses for lack of a proper assessment.
Stabilization
This means transitioning to a sober or a drug-free life. This is where the withdrawal symptoms happen. Long-term exposure to drugs changes the way your brain and your body’s systems work. The right Malibu recovery center should ensure you have the medical assistance you need to get through the experience. They should have the tools to make the process as comfortable and safe as possible for you.
Future Treatments
After detox, there’s also aftercare to consider. Some forget about seeking out post-recovery care the minute they complete the program, but it’s equally as important to focus on aftercare to prevent any relapses in the future.
