What Is The Impact Of Drug Addiction?
Whether you or someone you love is struggling with an alcohol or drug use disorder in day to day life can be hard. But there is hope and there is help; no matter who you are, what your past, or how bad your addiction has become, you too, can recover from alcohol or drug addiction. The Healing Center in Cherry Hill, NJ can help.
One of the biggest challenges someone suffering from addiction (or someone who is close to someone with an addiction issue) faces is the feeling of isolation. You may feel alone, that no one truly understands, and that you have nowhere to turn for help. The help that will give you long-lasting freedom from addiction and guide you on the road to recovery, joy, and a life free from this deadly disease.
You are not alone.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in 2017 more than 70,000 people in the United States alone died from drug overdoses including illicit and prescription opioids. The most staggering increase attributed to fentanyl and fentanyl-related overdoses. The epidemic continues and is getting worse.
And it’s not just drugs. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism reports that annually about 88,000 people die . This makes it the third most preventable cause of death in the nation.
Finding the Drug and Alcohol Detox in South Jersey That Is Right for You
The first step on the road to recovery and a life free from addiction is making a decision. If you’re tired of living life the way it is today, then it’s time to get help. Many people find that once they make this life-changing decision there is a sense of relief.
For most people with an alcohol or drug use disorder seeking treatment at a reputable center with a detox program comes first. Detox, in a safe environment with caring, experienced professionals who can help, is crucial.
Drug and Alcohol Detox is necessary to get through the withdrawal process, which can sometimes be life-threatening.
Withdrawal from alcohol or drugs progresses through different stages, on varied timelines, involving varying symptoms, and can be different for everyone. The specifics of withdrawal will depend on numerous factors including:
- What type of substance(s) is being stopped
- When the last dose was taken
- How much was taken the last time
- How long the use/abuse of alcohol and/or drugs has been
- What, if any, co-occurring mental health issues are present
Withdrawal can be very difficult and present many symptoms which often cause a person to relapse in order to stop the painful symptoms. It’s vital to understand that detoxing on your own can be dangerous and is not recommended. Suddenly stopping using a substance can cause:
- Increased blood pressure
- Difficulty breathing
- Muscle fatigue
- Heart attack
- Stroke
This is one reason seeking treatment at rehab which offers detox is an important step in long-term recovery. Many treatment centers, like The Healing Centers, also offer medically-assisted detox which has been proven to be successful in getting through the first stages of detox.
Detox: What to Expect
The American Society of Addiction Medicine defines withdrawal as “the onset of a predictable constellation of signs and symptoms following the abrupt discontinuation of, or rapid decrease in, the dosage of a psychoactive substance.”
The first stage of detox is the acute withdrawal or simply the withdrawal stage. This can last for days or weeks depending on the above factors. The timeline below is a general guideline for acute withdrawal:
- Alcohol (five to seven days)
- Opioids (four to ten days)
- Methadone (14 to 21 days)
- Cannabis (five days)
- Stimulants such as cocaine, amphetamines, methamphetamines (one to two weeks)
When going through withdrawal, some or all of the following symptoms can occur:
- Anxiety, racing thoughts
- Fatigue
- Nausea and/or vomiting
- Sweating
- Shaking
- Seizures
- Body aches
- Cravings
- Hallucinations
- Agitation, irritability
- Depression
- Paranoia
- Insomnia
- Mental confusion
Detox treatment at a quality treatment center helps successfully get through this difficult – but vital – part of recovery.
According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), there are three stages of detox:
- Evaluation
- Stabilization
- Further treatment
Evaluation
During the first stage, qualified and experienced medical and mental health professionals will evaluate what drug or drugs are in your system, current state of mental health, any co-occurring mental health issues, other medical conditions present. After this evaluation, a detox and treatment strategy will be developed and suggested.
Stabilization
In this second part, the bulk of the detox and associated detox treatment will happen. You will be told what to expect during detox and any medications will be given to ease withdrawal symptoms as well as psychological counseling as needed.
Further treatment
While detox is an unavoidable first step in the road to freedom from addiction, it is not the only step to take if you want to truly find peace of mind and a life free from the bondage of alcohol and/or drugs. Engaging in treatment as well as committing to follow up care is important to gain the tools needed for long-term recovery from addiction.
Find Help For Drug Addiction In South Jersey
Addiction is a chronic disease with no cure. But you, or your loved one, can find a life free from the pains of life in active addiction. Addiction Treatment past the detox phase as well as engaging in ongoing follow up care, and there are many options for both, is the key to recovering physically, mentally, and emotionally from the deadly and destructive disease of addiction
The Healing Center is here to help. Our safe, peaceful, and compassion filled facility is located in Cherry Hill, NJ. It’s the perfect place to find the peace of mind you so desperately need. Take the first step now towards healing. You will discover strength you didn’t know you had. Speak with our admissions team today to get started on
