Detox

Detox is a complicated topic. Individuals have different experiences when substances are leaving their bodies. Some people will experience severe symptoms, while others may not struggle as much. Regardless of how severe your symptoms are, it's important that you don't detox at home. Let's go over some reasons why it's important that you don't detox at home and instead detox at a specialized facility.

Many people aren't sure what happens after an intervention. In this blog, we're going to discuss a typical progression of what often happens after an intervention. However, it is possible to remember that everyone has a unique journey and different options are right for different people. It's important to treat every journey uniquely and think about what will work best for you or your loved one who is dealing with addiction.

Beginning addiction treatment can be scary at first, but it is the best step you can take for yourself and your future. This exciting new journey you are about to embark on is one to be incredibly proud of. At Avalon Malibu, the first level of care begins with the detox stage. There are three steps of detoxification involved that serve to get you through the process comfortably using the most effective evidence-based methods.

Detoxing is the process someone goes through when they stop using substances and their body clears out all traces of the drug. This process may sound simple, but in reality, it can be very complex and dangerous. Let's go over some of the things that can be done to increase detox safety.

Drug addiction treatment can seem overwhelming at first. There are many treatment phases that people go through to aid them in the process of recovery. Doing so with professional help ensures that you're as safe and comfortable as possible. Let's talk more about detox and why it's so important when you begin the recovery journey.

When it comes to getting clean, most are well-acquainted with the idea that there is a necessary detox phase that must happen to get the remaining drugs out of your system. Many do not realize that detox is a two-step process consisting of the acute withdrawal stage and post-acute withdrawal syndrome or PAWS for short. What happens in the acute withdrawal stage are the physical sensations we most often associate with withdrawal symptoms, including nausea, headaches, muscle aches, or sweating. Post-acute withdrawal syndrome follows the acute stage and has more psychological effects than physical. How Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome Feels In PAWS, your brain tries to reorient itself to functioning without the influx of drugs it's been used to operating with. Therefore, this withdrawal phase includes mood swings, anxiety, depression, sleep disturbances, cravings, irritability, or lack of focus. These symptoms occur since the brain is struggling to stabilize and correct the resulting chemical imbalances from previous drug abuse. These are all temporary symptoms that come and go, but the PAWS phase lasts different lengths for everyone depending on their bodies and the types of drugs they were addicted to, lasting up to several months for some. Managing PAWS Symptoms Taking excellent care of yourself and making use of proactive interventions is necessary to help you avoid relapse during this time. Using essential self-care habits like eating well, getting enough sleep, surrounding yourself with positive, supportive people, and exercising will do you a favor during this phase and the rest of your recovery. Since you will experience many emotional swings during this time, it’s important to be sure you have appointments lined up with your care team of mental health professionals, so you can constructively talk about what you’re going through. Talking through your feelings will help you feel supported through this time. Attending meetings and being open about what you’re experiencing with loved ones will help alleviate some of the heaviness from you solely carrying your discomfort. Lastly, it is imperative to avoid triggering situations or people as you are more sensitive to stressful stimuli during this time and trying to recover. Post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS) is the second phase of withdrawals, as the brain balances itself after drug abuse. It is a time to focus on your healing and recovery and when you should focus on putting your mental and emotional needs first to feel secure in your sobriety in the future. If you or a loved one is struggling to get or remain sober, call Avalon Malibu.  We specialize in treating substance abuse and co-occurring mental health disorders. We are passionate about providing our clients with the support they need and finding a treatment that will help them lead happier, more balanced lives. For more information on how we can help you achieve your goals, call (844) 857-5992.

Once you’ve made the conscious decision to quit using drugs or alcohol, you may decide to begin abstaining right then and there and without outside help. This method of quitting drugs and/or alcohol is commonly referred to as “quitting cold turkey” and is commonly done without the supervision of medical professionals. Before you decide to quit cold turkey, know that it may carry health risks depending on the types of drugs you use, your level of addiction, and the presence of any co-occurring mental health conditions.

One of the organs that is most affected by drug and/or alcohol abuse is the liver. After years of excessive drinking or abusing drugs, the liver has had to work relentlessly to rid the body of these toxic substances and may have suffered permanent effects from this abuse. The liver is an incredibly important organ as it helps our bodies metabolize fats, filter the blood from our digestive tract, and is our main detoxifying organ. It is always encouraged to have your doctor check your liver if you have substance use in your past or present to know if you have a form of liver disease. Regardless of the disease state of your liver, you can always include foods in your diet that promote the health of your liver.

Massages are commonly thought of as a way to unwind and treat yourself to some peaceful, restorative self-care time. In recovery, therapeutic massages are used for so much more than just relaxing and act as an intricate part of the recovery process. There are many different types of massage that may benefit you in your early days of recovery like shiatsu, reflexology, acupressure, and Thai massage. Each type of massage serves the body differently, but all of them accomplish the beneficial effects detailed below.

Instant gratification is everywhere in the world around us, except in recovery. Recovery is no overnight process, with a winding journey unique to each individual with several phases — detox, rehab, ongoing care, and sober living. Developing a strong patience muscle will help you withstand the pains and disappointments of not just recovery but also in life. Joyce Mayer said it best when she described patience as, “not the ability to wait but the ability to keep a good attitude while waiting.” Recovery can teach us many things about ourselves, and one of the most valuable lessons to be learned is patience.

The term ‘supervised detox’ sounds a bit terrifying, but what exactly does it mean? We know that for many people in addiction recovery, they undergo severe circumstances in which they can’t face alone. Quality treatment is about providing optimal mental, physical and spiritual care so that clients can feel safe and secure while healing; a publication by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) explained that supervised detox may prevent, “…potentially life threatening complications that may appear if the patient was left untreated”. Far too often, those who struggle with addiction attempt to heal at home – and this can be incredibly dangerous, specifically as the mind and body require steady decreases in substance doses to help detoxify a person without sending their body into shock. With supervised detox, a qualified healthcare team is there to support a person 24/7 – which not only ensures that they’re on the right path towards healing, but also ensures their safety as well. As the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) emphasizes, however, supervised detox won’t work as a one-step form of treatment. Those seeking recovery undergo supervised detox as a first step towards health and wellness – from there, it’s time to work towards recovery. Long-term abstinence is best achieved when a person has a “clean slate” – in other words, has gone through detox and is able to start making daily choices that benefit their mental, physical and spiritual wellness. At Avalon Malibu, there are a variety of recovery-related activities that can propel a person’s success in recovery, such as through individual and group therapy, massage therapy, yoga, meditation, art therapy and more. Supervised detox may last a few days, and while it may seem a bit frightening, it’s much less frightening than the prospect of losing your life – or your loved one – to unsafe detoxification practices. Don’t wait any longer to begin the path towards healing. There is an entire team here ready to help you overcome addiction and onto your journey in recovery.

A powerful sedative typically used to help people with insomnia, Ambien, generically called Zolpidem, is prescribed for no more than 6 weeks and is generally recommended to be taken for shorter periods of time. If a person takes larger doses of Ambien or takes the drug for longer than originally intended, they may develop dependence and, later on, addiction. If you’ve been struggling with Ambien addiction, treatment is necessary to help you gain back control over your life. Ambien targets receptor cells in the brain that respond to gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a neurotransmitter that affects sleep cycles. This drug was designed to work similar to Valium by also affecting emotional responses and levels of consciousness. When a person is going through withdrawal, they may experience the following: