Addiction recovery happens in stages. First, people’s bodies need the chance to go through the detox process. Over time, people develop a physical dependence on drugs or alcohol, and quitting abruptly can lead to uncomfortable–or even dangerous–physical and emotional side effects. The best way to ensure that you have a complete, safe detox from drugs and alcohol is to go through withdrawal under medical supervision.
Understanding addiction and detox can help prepare you for your own detox program. If you or someone you love requires drug or alcohol detox, Northern Illinois Recovery Center can help.
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Symptoms of Drug and Alcohol Detox
The symptoms a person experiences during drug and alcohol detox depend on many factors. The length and severity of their addiction, their substance use, medical and mental health conditions, and family history of addiction can affect a person’s experience during detox. Generally, symptoms of drug and alcohol detox include:
- Body aches
- Headache
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Agitation
- Sweating
- Nausea
- Tremors
- Insomnia
- Confusion
Some withdrawal symptoms during detox can be dangerous, including severe depression and suicidal thoughts, seizures, or overheating. Cravings are often intense, and people are at heightened risk for relapse.
What Treatment is Offered in Our Illinois Detox Center?
The goal of a detox center is to help people achieve a safe, complete withdrawal. To do this, the medical and addiction specialists provide supervision and treatment for people going through withdrawal. In most centers, this involves maintaining a safe, calming environment, monitoring people for uncomfortable and dangerous symptoms, and providing medication and comfort measures that keep people comfortable during detox.
The length of time someone spends in detox depends on how long the person had been using drugs or alcohol, the substances they used, their medical and mental health needs, and other environmental and biological factors. Someone might spend a few days in detox or may require a stay of a month or more.
Benefits of Choosing a Detox Center
Choosing a detox center for drug and alcohol detox gives you the best chance at a safe, comfortable, and complete withdrawal. Benefits include:
- 24-hour access to addiction and medical professionals
- Support of a community of staff and peers
- Stable, calm environment
- Medications to alleviate discomfort
- Monitoring and medical assistance during an emergency
- Distance from triggers and substances
- Emotional support
Attempting to quit drugs or alcohol on your own can lead to a cycle of stopping and relapsing. It can be discouraging to make multiple attempts to quit on your own only to find yourself back to square one. Choosing an Illinois detox center is the best way to ensure a complete detox.
Learn More About Drug and Alcohol Detox at the Northern Illinois Recovery Center
If you or someone you love require medically supervised detox from drugs or alcohol, you are not alone. Reach out to Northern llinois Recovery Center at 855.786.1978 for information about our substance abuse treatment and recovery programs. Don’t wait another day for the chance to live the fulfilling, healthy life you deserve. Life-changing treatment is available. Reach out to our admissions counselors today.
Licensed Physician and Surgeon
Dr. Beth Dunlap, a board-certified addiction medicine and family medicine physician, and is the medical director at Northern Illinois Recovery Center. She is responsible for overseeing all the integrated medical services at both campuses. Beth completed medical school, residency, and fellowship at Northwestern University, where she continues to serve on the faculty as a member of the Department of Family and Community Medicine. She has extensive experience in addiction medicine at all levels of care, and her clinical interests include integrated primary care and addiction medicine, harm reduction, and medication-assisted treatment.