The fundamentals of physical and mental detoxification. How to be safe and not lose it in the meantime.
Detoxification is the first essential in rehabilitation. It's a son-of-a-bitch. When one becomes addicted, they use drugs to feel normal and eventually avoid withdrawal altogether. The fear of going through detox is enough to keep one using until the bitter end. It's a force to be reckoned with and there is no easy way to go about it.new_man_web1.jpg
Some rehab facilities have medical supervision for the detox period (2 weeks), while others do not. It is crucial to have downtime while detoxing, to nurse the body and mind. Facilities that do not incorporate detox into their programs often expect participation while exorcising the addiction demons. While inhumane, know that it is as bad as you feel and you are in fact (temporarily) losing your mind. Many individuals get thrown out of a program during this time. Whatever method you can employ to emulate civilized behavior will help you to survive the detox blues.
Research has shown that addictive substances create dependence by changing the brain's reward functions. You've been messing with your dopamine, the pleasure center, which tells you that you are feeling good. Very good. Think chocolate, sex and back scratches. Essentially, you've mind-fucked yourself.
This hijacked mind will relentlessly seek the pleasure it has grown accustomed to. While undergoing detoxification, your mantra should be "my thoughts are not my own".
(*Depressants such as alcohol, benzodiazepines (i.e. valium) and narcotics act similar to dopamine. Stimulants like crystal meth or cocaine either increase dopamine release or block its absorption, allowing for free floating biochemical fun.)
Technically speaking, detox is a phase that can take from one (ha!) to 14 days. The primary goal of detox is to get out of immediate physical pain and danger, to regain regular sleeping patterns and be able to either eat and/or keep your food down. The duration and intensity of the Detox Blues depends on your using history. How bad was it?
One might think that junkies and crack addicts would have it the worst, but actually it's the pill poppers and drunks with the highest risks. Sudden withdrawal can be dangerous, so cold turkey isn't a bright idea for the more socially acceptable addictions.
Addiction has two components: physical and psychological dependency. Detox helps with the physical aspect only. The rest is why you are in rehab.
Detoxification is the first essential in rehabilitation. It's a son-of-a-bitch. When one becomes addicted, they use drugs to feel normal and eventually avoid withdrawal altogether. The fear of going through detox is enough to keep one using until the bitter end. It's a force to be reckoned with and there is no easy way to go about it.new_man_web1.jpg
Some rehab facilities have medical supervision for the detox period (2 weeks), while others do not. It is crucial to have downtime while detoxing, to nurse the body and mind. Facilities that do not incorporate detox into their programs often expect participation while exorcising the addiction demons. While inhumane, know that it is as bad as you feel and you are in fact (temporarily) losing your mind. Many individuals get thrown out of a program during this time. Whatever method you can employ to emulate civilized behavior will help you to survive the detox blues.
Research has shown that addictive substances create dependence by changing the brain's reward functions. You've been messing with your dopamine, the pleasure center, which tells you that you are feeling good. Very good. Think chocolate, sex and back scratches. Essentially, you've mind-fucked yourself.
This hijacked mind will relentlessly seek the pleasure it has grown accustomed to. While undergoing detoxification, your mantra should be "my thoughts are not my own".
(*Depressants such as alcohol, benzodiazepines (i.e. valium) and narcotics act similar to dopamine. Stimulants like crystal meth or cocaine either increase dopamine release or block its absorption, allowing for free floating biochemical fun.)
Technically speaking, detox is a phase that can take from one (ha!) to 14 days. The primary goal of detox is to get out of immediate physical pain and danger, to regain regular sleeping patterns and be able to either eat and/or keep your food down. The duration and intensity of the Detox Blues depends on your using history. How bad was it?
One might think that junkies and crack addicts would have it the worst, but actually it's the pill poppers and drunks with the highest risks. Sudden withdrawal can be dangerous, so cold turkey isn't a bright idea for the more socially acceptable addictions.
Addiction has two components: physical and psychological dependency. Detox helps with the physical aspect only. The rest is why you are in rehab.