It’s tempting to believe that addictions can be conquered in a self-directed fashion. People might want to believe that they can simply stop the madness by taking no drugs at all, and they’ll back out of their addictions and land on the road to wellness, all on their own. While it’s possible that some people can overcome their addictions through sheer willpower, many people need the help that only a drug detoxification program can bring. These are some characteristics that those people might have in common.

Withdrawal Pains Are Overwhelming

Some addictive drugs cause such physical discomfort that people have difficulty completing the process. For example, opiate drugs like heroin and prescription drugs can cause people to experience these symptoms during withdrawal:

• Nausea
• Abdominal cramping
• Watering eyes
• Sore muscles
• Insomnia

Some people try to go through withdrawal on their own, but according to a study in the Journal of Psychopharmacology, about 61 percent of people who do so are unsuccessful in their attempt. They feel so uncomfortable that taking drugs seems reasonable or even preferable. Detox programs can provide medications to soothe discomfort, and it’s harder to relapse within the walls of a drug detox program, as there are no illicit drugs available. In a formal program, people might have the inner strength or pharmacological support to see the process through to completion.

Benzodiazepines Are in Use

Some drugs cause discomfort and pain during withdrawal, but others cause life-threatening complications to form. People who take benzodiazepine medications like Valium, for example, might develop seizures when they attempt to stop taking drugs, and they may need medical supervision so they can get through the process without losing their lives. They might go through detox at home, rather than in a structured detox program, but they still need the help of a detox plan. A slow taper of the drug might be needed, along with emotional support, and that’s the help available through detox.

Mental Illness Issues Are Present

People often struggle with mental illnesses in conjunction with addiction, and this can lead them to make terrible choices. For example, a study in the American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse found that the suicide attempt rate was 12 times greater in people who took drugs, when compared to the general population. Going through withdrawal at home can be risky when depression and anxiety are present, as the process can stir up deep emotions that have been buried for decades. People can feel lost, unsure or just unhappy, and they may turn back to drugs to make the thoughts stop. Detox programs could be vital to success as, once again, there are no illicit drugs allowed in these facilities. Relapse is less likely when there is nothing to take. Counselors are also nearby in facilities like this, and they can step in and help if emotions become overwhelming.

The Resolve to Quit Is Weak

Some people feel as though they should quit, but they don’t feel as though they’re strong enough to do so, or they don’t really want to leave drugs behind in the first place. A detox could be just the thing to turn these people around. In detox, people will have the emotional support they need in order to see the process through, and the counseling they receive in detox could increase their desire to quit and build a healthier life. Where these people might relapse in DIY attempts to get sober, they might be able to succeed in a formal treatment program.

The Environment at Home Isn’t Safe

Homes filled to the rafters with drugs and alcohol don’t make safe spaces for detox. The person can simply turn around and access addictive substances at any point, and the people the person lives with might not be sober enough to provide meaningful support. A detox program could be ideal for people like this as programs provide a safe and structured environment for healing. It could start the person off right.

At Axis, we have a state-of-the-art detox facility that can provide meaningful help for people who are addicted to drugs. We provide personalized care and attention, and we always look for ways to help people tap into their inner strength and find the ability to change their lives for the better. Please call us to find out more.