If you or a loved one has been suffering from substance use disorder (SUD), detoxing may seem like a daunting experience. However, it is a vital step if you want to achieve a healthy, happy, and fulfilling life. When you choose to seek help and overcome addiction, you are choosing healing and prosperity. Giving up on the habits that have taken you here will open the door to the possibility of a better future.
This can be challenging, but it is not impossible. In the long run, your mind, body, and spirit will thank you. We understand this is not an easy step to take. That is why it is important to be informed, supported, and cared for while going through the detox process. Our goal at Twilight Recovery is to provide you with the highest level of medical care, guidance, and customized treatment available.
What Is Withdrawal?
The Oxford Journals of Nicotine & Tobacco Research define withdrawal as a vital manifestation of substance dependence and motivation for relapse following the discontinuation of drug use. Traditionally, it was believed that withdrawal occurred following the deprivation of a substance, and then it would stop. However, research shows that this is not entirely accurate. Several factors can affect the way a person’s body reacts to substances and the cessation of their use.
Why Does Withdrawal Occur?
The misuse of substances is associated with the development of physiological dependence. This happens because the body adapts to the increase in substance dosage or frequency of consumption. The National Institute on Drug Abuse describes this as tolerance. The higher the tolerance, the more you will feel like you need the drug to function. This is in part because your brain and body become used to the stimuli and chemical intake.
The National Institute on Drug Abuse states that drugs interfere with the way neurons send, receive, and read signals. This means that the fundamental units of your brain and nervous system become altered, causing basic functions like thought process, heart rate, blood pressure, and even breathing to become impaired. When you suddenly stop taking the substance, your body will try to regain its balance by getting rid of the chemicals that were causing all those physiological changes. This is when withdrawal occurs.
Although physical dependence and tolerance are not the same as addiction, they accompany addiction almost every time. In fact, addiction is a disease of the brain. It often co-occurs with other mental health disorders. The goal is to seek treatment and slowly learn to replace the substances with healthy coping mechanisms that can help you in your day-to-day life.
Symptoms of Withdrawal
In Clinical Guidelines for Withdrawal Management and Treatment of Drug Dependence in Closed Settings by the World Health Organization (WHO), it is stated that “Withdrawal symptoms vary according to the drug of dependence and severity of dependence.” These can also vary from person to person due to environmental factors, genetics, and more.
Some of the most common symptoms of withdrawal include but are not limited to:
- Palpitations
- Muscle pain
- Tremors
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Irritability
- Aggression
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Extreme hunger
- Trouble sleeping
- Trouble concentrating
- Paranoia
- Fever
- Seizures (in extreme cases)
A Timeline for Withdrawal Symptoms
Most people believe that the symptoms of withdrawal last for a few days throughout the detox process and then it’s done. This is a big misconception. While it is true that the most intense symptoms occur during detox, withdrawal symptoms can last for months or even years after treatment. Recovery is a life-long journey. Your brain and body will remember what they have been through and it can take a long time for you to feel like yourself again. Click here for more information on detox and withdrawal timelines.
Managing Withdrawal Symptoms
We understand all of this information can be overwhelming. It’s important to know the possible symptoms of withdrawal but also the long-term effects of substance use and addiction. If you have chosen that you are ready to end the cycle of dependence, you need to have a good support system. Without it, withdrawal could lead to death in severe cases. Sadly, the same can be said about SUD.
For most people, detoxification and withdrawal are the first steps to sobriety and recovery. During this process, the body learns how to function again without the presence of substances. It is crucial to receive proper medical attention, assessment, counseling, and therapies during this period. The key is to make the detoxification and withdrawal as safe and bearable as possible. We want you to feel better while you are working on getting better. This is where Twilight Recovery comes into play.
How Twilight Recovery Can Help
Overcoming addiction safely and successfully can require the support and guidance found at a professional treatment center. Our facility, located in beautiful Mexico, is an all-inclusive luxury destination for those who are seeking recovery. If you are struggling with drug or alcohol use, we provide detox under the care of experienced professionals. Our team’s main goal is for you to come out of this victorious.
When struggling with substances, you can feel like a prisoner. That is why at Twilight Recovery we will never hold you against your will but always encourage you to stay and work on getting better. Come to enjoy our traditional therapy methods as well as scuba diving, yoga, meditation, and more. We believe that just because you are struggling doesn’t mean you have to suffer. We will cater to your needs and try to make the process of healing safe, freeing, and enjoyable.
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