Drugs and alcohol addictions are treatable conditions if someone opts to undergo the right treatment procedures. Addiction treatment usually begins with the detox process. This is the process of eliminating toxic substances from the body. Although some people may opt to undergo a home-based detox, this can be extremely dangerous and life-threatening since detox usually entails uncomfortable withdrawals. Seeking detox from a medically-supervised environment is usually the best option due to safety and comfort. This article outlines an overview of the dangers of detoxing at home.
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What are the Dangers of Detoxing at Home?
Detox should be conducted in Impact Recovery Center environment, especially if an individual is dependent on a substance. So, what types of danger can someone expose themselves to if they opt to detox independently? The extent of these effects may range from health complications to psychological issues. Besides, this process may become serious and fast. Some of the common dangers of home-based detox include:
Dehydration
Regardless of the type of substance that someone is detoxing from, it is common to experience diarrhea and vomiting. Apart from being undesirable, these withdrawal symptoms can make a person feel weak. If someone opts to detox independently, it is likely for them to become dehydrated and ineffectively mitigate their gastrointestinal issues. These issues can persist for an extended period and even become more severe. Failure to treat dehydration can cause constipation, headaches and migraines, organ damage or failure, muscle aches and spasms, and malnutrition.
Increased Relapse Risks
Withdrawal symptoms that someone can experience usually range from being minor to severe. The initial detox stages can be misleading, since the first symptoms that begin to develop are seemingly manageable. However, as time passes, the symptoms can worsen after a few days of conducting the detox process. When the withdrawal symptoms turn more prominent, an individual needs to seek professional help immediately to avoid using the drugs again. This is because using substances that the body depends on makes the withdrawal symptoms vanish. The greatest risk of relapse is that individuals usually resume their addictive ways. This can cause more damage to their health and lives.
Increased Risk for Overdose
When a person relapses while attempting on their own, the chances of getting an overdose are usually high, especially if the individual has been detoxing for an extended period. The overdose risk is high during this period since the body is no longer used to the same substance levels that the individual has been using before.
What are the Dangers of Home-Based Alcohol Detox?
It is essential for a person struggling with alcohol addiction to seek professional help if they want to detox. This is because alcohol detox can produce dangerous and life-threatening withdrawal symptoms. The following are the dangerous symptoms that a person dependent on alcohol may experience if they suddenly cease drinking:
- Dehydration that may lead to kidney failure
- High blood pressure; can lead to a stroke or a heart attack
- Fever
- Seizures can be extremely dangerous, especially if a person experiences a fatal fall.
These symptoms are commonly linked with delirium tremens, also known as DT. Delirium tremens is a set of severe withdrawal symptoms that may start within the initial few days of alcohol withdrawal. Unfortunately, this delirium tremens may lead to death if left untreated. Therefore, it is highly recommendable for someone to seek professional help rather than risk their lives.
Opting to go to a home-based detox is a risk that someone should never consider taking, since the situation may quickly turn unhealthy. A medically-supervised environment offers a safe and comfortable detox process that guarantees someone a permanent recovery. Besides, professional rehab centers also provide behavioral addiction treatment approaches crucial for a full recovery.
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