Most people who enter alcohol and drug rehab need alcohol or drug detox. It’s normal for people to continue drinking or taking drugs up to the day they enter drug or alcohol treatment. This is not only because they enjoy the effect, but also because by the time someone goes into alcohol or drug rehab the withdrawal symptoms are likely to be bad enough to encourage them to keep using.

Alcohol and Drug Detox Options

Some alcohol and drug detox centers offer more options than others. Some will have their own state-licensed facilities while others may contract with private companies or hospitals to provide medical detox.

Medical detox generally uses a mild form of medication to safely ease a person off of alcohol or drugs with as little discomfort as possible. Going through detox from alcohol or benzodiazepines can result in severe withdrawal symptoms, such as hallucinations or life-threatening seizures. It is always advised that someone coming into alcohol and drug rehab with these addictions receive a medical detox. Some alcohol and drug detox centers also offer holistic therapies during this process, such as acupuncture and massage, to stimulate the body to help release toxins and minimize withdrawal symptoms.

It is never recommended that individuals go “cold-turkey” off alcohol or drugs. As mentioned, this could result in life-threatening withdrawal symptoms. Some likely symptoms for withdrawal from alcohol, benzodiazepines and opiate-based drugs (codeine, hydrocodone, morphine, oxycontin, heroin) include headaches, nausea, body-aches, night sweats, night terrors, restlessness, insomnia, hallucinations and in extreme cases, convulsions. Withdrawal from stimulants such as cocaine, crack and methamphetamines generally results in heavy fatigue, depression and in severe cases, suicidal thoughts. A lot of rest is required in the initial days of detox. Medical detox serves as the safest form of withdrawal from drugs and alcohol for most drugs.

Alcohol and Drug Detox for You

Inquire about the best alcohol and drug detox for you prior to deciding on a treatment center. Some facilities may require that you arrive at check-in already detoxed. Others may offer a state-licensed facility on site. Find out what kind of detox options they have and make sure you’re comfortable with it. Remember, alcohol and drug detox is the first step toward a healthy new life in sobriety. Don’t short-change yourself and suffer through the withdrawal process if you don’t have to. It could make all the difference between staying sober and falling back into alcoholism or drug addiction.

Alcohol and Drug Rehab centers offer a safe, supportive environment for people who struggle with alcoholism and drug addiction. They are usually the last resort for individuals who have been drinking or taking drugs to the point where it’s interfering with their life and in some instances, has ruined it completely.

Alcohol and Drug Rehab Inpatient

Alcohol and Drug Rehab offers something you probably haven’t felt in a long time – Hope. It’s a safe place to step off the world for a while and heal under the care of professionals in the medical, clinical and holistic realm. Alcoholism and drug addiction works on a physical, mental, emotional and spiritual level. All of these areas need to be addressed in order for you to begin to heal all the damage created by alcohol and drugs. This is a tall order for what is typically only 30 days of alcohol and drug rehab inpatient treatment.

For this reason, most alcohol and drug rehab inpatient programs have 24 hour supervision and limited connection with the outside world. This is so you can concentrate on the alcohol and drug rehab program instead of being distracted by the happenings of friends and loved ones in the outside world. Then too, many of the friends you have when you come into alcohol and drug rehab may be the ones who encouraged drinking and using drugs. There could also be family members who “trigger” you to drink or use. This is why phone, e-mail usage and personal interactions with friends and family members are limited and may even be monitored.

Alcohol and Drug Rehab Recovery

The time you spend in alcohol and drug rehab is the beginning of recovery. Recovery is defined as a process of time spent healing after an extended illness or injury.

Alcoholism and drug addiction is a serious and life-threatening disease that requires learning how to live life differently in order to stay sober. Generally, alcohol and drug rehab recovery programs provide education on the disease of addiction, offer clinical therapy or drug and alcohol counseling to help address emotional issues, and may offer holistic processes such as acupuncture or massage to help the body and spirit mend.

Recovery from alcoholism and drug addiction is considered a lifelong process and for this reason, the 12-step model is generally introduced in alcohol and drug rehab. The benefit of 12-step meetings is they can be found all over the world and offer a sober support network once you leave rehab.  Ultimately, alcohol and drug rehab is designed to give you a solid foundation with enough life management tools for you to build a happy, fulfilling life in sobriety.