Archive for the 'Drug Detoxification' Category

Why Prescription Drug Detox Is A Vital Step For Recovery

Feb. 20th 2012

Prescription Drug AddictionIt is true that prescription drugs can be necessary when it comes to handling health problems and other conditions. However, when taken in large doses or on a prolonged basis, the people taking them can not only suffer harmful effects, but also become addicted to them. That is why the importance of a thorough and complete detox should never be overlooked – it has to do with cleansing the body.

Detox Can Be Dangerous

Let’s avoid the negative mental aspect for now and head directly for the main reason it can be vital that you have a thorough and complete detox with a professional: detoxing the body from a prescription drug can be dangerous.

If you are addicted to opioids (Percocet, Vicodin, Oxycontin); not taking them anymore can actually lead to intense physical pain. It can also lead to diarrhea, vomiting, fatigue, severe depression, and excessive sweating.

Benzodiazepines such as Ativan, Valium, and Xanax can be dangerous as well, and the withdrawal symptoms are often severe. Because these drugs control insomnia and anxiety, withdrawal symptoms include seizures, insomnia, irritability, anxiety, and even thoughts of suicide.

As you can see, even the initial part of stopping the intake of the drugs can be dangerous.

In order to have a complete and thorough detox, it is important to remove drug residue from the patient’s body. Every bit needs to be removed, that is why a complete detox is important. Most drugs store some residue in our fat cells. This means that overtime, even if a patient has completely given up on the drug and is determined psychologically never to use again, the fat cells release the residue into the system – like a small dose of the prescription medication released over time back into the body.

Avoid Feelings Of Hopelessness

It does not take a doctor to realize that if small amounts of the prescription medication are being released into the system long after the patient stops taking said medication, it can create cravings for the drug. These cravings for the prescription drug are going to lead to frustration and feelings of hopelessness.

After all, these patients are doing everything that they can to avoid their addiction, they have made the psychological choice to stay clear of the prescription medication, but they are slowly but surely being fed small doses of the drug again. This makes them feel that even though they have the best intentions; it is not going to be enough for them to avoid relapsing.

If you do not ensure that every bit is removed, it is possible for some drug residue to remain in the body and produce cravings long after use has been stopped. This ultimately leads to the aforementioned feeling of helplessness and hopelessness which can lead to relapse because the desire to take these prescription drugs again becomes overwhelming.

That is why a short-term detox is similar to stopping the bleeding with a Band-Aid, but thorough and complete detox is like stitching the wound. It is the best way for a person to get rid of their prescription drug addiction permanently.

Posted by FRSfaith1 | in Drug Detoxification