Using Drug Detoxification As An Alternative For A Healthier Body

Some drugs can be lifesaving, but others can be unbelievably destructive. As part of treating drug addicts, many health professionals advocate the use of drug detoxification as a part of their treatment.

This cleanses the addict’s body of residue left behind by illicit drugs and alcohol and is believed to improve their chances at rehabilitation. In this article, we’ll explain how this process can give former addicts a new lease on life.

Drug use leaves residue in the body, so drug detoxification is intended to clean away those leftover substances. Residues of many drugs – including LSD, phencyclidine, cocaine, marijuana and diazepam – are known to accumulate in the body. These compounds can stay in the body for a long time after the drug use has stopped – especially in heavy drug users.

Once a person attempts to give up their habit, physical and behavioral problems can follow as a result of withdrawal. A cleansing and detoxification program is intended to minimize those symptoms.

There are a number of different drug detoxification methods available. Ideally, a reputable drug treatment center will incorporate counseling and therapy during detox body cleansing to deal with the issues that led to the individual’s abuse of drugs and alcohol.

The removal of drug residuals is a key goal and without this process, drug residues can remain in the body and cause cravings for years after drug use has ceased. A vital step in a successful program, as well as drug rehabilitation, is flushing out these accumulated toxic residues so that the individual no longer experiences unwanted adverse effects from the drugs they have taken.

Drug residues and other toxic substances can remain locked in fatty tissues of the body and can be released into the blood stream years after the person has stopped taking drugs. These residuals can cause cravings for more drugs.

This is why these toxins must be cleansed from the body. Drug detox programs usually include an exercise regiment, regular sauna treatments and nutritional supplements. These are all intended to rid the body of fatty tissues contaminated with drug residue.

Drug detoxification is believed to be a powerful tool to help addicts stay clean and sober. By reducing the toxins in their system, the painful withdrawal symptoms are minimized and they can focus their attention on coping with their emotional issues. Counseling to address the psychological, social and behavioral problems that can lead to addiction is an essential component of any detox program.

Without it, former addicts will not know how to deal with the stressors that led to substance abuse in the first place. When a detoxification program is used in tandem with psychological treatment, drug users and alcoholics are given a better chance at leading a healthy and productive life.

The Process of Drug Detoxification

Detoxification is generally the process of removing all toxic substances from the body caused by addiction from drugs or alcohol. Detoxification is done in various organs such as the lungs, kidney and liver. Kinds of detoxification include dialysis, chelation therapy, acupuncture and inpatient detox. Alternatives such as detox diet have also become popular. However, these alternatives do not have a proven effect compared to the real drug detoxification.

Drug detoxification cleanses the body from all illicit residues that may have been left behind inside the body. This speeds up rehabilitation and gives a new lease on life. Examples of drug residues are phencyclidine, diazepam, cocaine, marijuana and LSD. These chemicals stay inside the body and it will be difficult to get rid of them unless a person undergoes drug detoxification.

Medical specialists and qualified nurses should be present during a drug detoxification. This is a serious medical procedure which is why a medical practitioner should be the one to manage the whole process. During the procedure, the patient should stop the intake of alcohol, drugs or other chemicals. Researchers have proven that the intake of any chemical during drug detoxification may only worsen a person’s physical conditions. Although the effects are relatively subtle, they can create long-term effects.

Detoxification done in a drug detox center can be performed in several different ways, depending on what the patient prefers in receiving the treatment. Most centers cater detoxification for the withdrawal of drug usage.

Ideally, reputable drug rehab centers will include the proper counseling and therapy during the process of treatment for drug dependency because the patient may experience emotional distress while under the process. If chemical residues are ignored, they can remain in the person’s fatty tissues and may be released again after a few years. The release can trigger the addiction, and may cause the person to crave for drugs once again.

People who enroll in a drug treatment center are asked to prepare themselves with the procedures that they are going to undertake. They are also asked to keep away from any drug temptation, which may be a difficult task for someone who has abused drugs.

Drug rehabs include regular sauna treatments, exercise regiments and nutritional supplements in all their drug addiction treatment programs. These activities are meant for the chemical residues that may hide behind the fatty tissues. Illegal or Prescription drug detoxification is a good way to getting sober and completely quitting from an addiction. A drug treatment center helps a person become fully aware of the consequences that addiction can bring. The withdrawal process gets easier when the patient becomes more focused on keeping his body healthy.

While undergoing drug detoxification, the patient will be under medication. A usual treatment period can stretch to up to two to three months depending on the patient’s responses. When the body of the patient becomes used to the medicines and starts feeling the desire to become normal once again, professional psychiatrists will then enhance even more the determination of the patient and give him enough mental boost and counseling.

Marijuana Detoxification – Signs of Withdrawal from Marijuana

 

 

nd heavy pot smokers go through withdrawal when they first quit weed. The detox period tends to last between 10 days to a month, and is worst in the beginning. Quitting weed sometimes produces physical and psychological withdrawal symptoms.  The most common symptoms are discussed in detail below. Moodiness and Nervousness! Anxiety is a big obstacle to get over in the first weeks of stopping. The anxiety that you feel during quitting is usually small relative to a full blown anxiety attack – but it is constant! You need to be prepared to deal with the emotional and mental state you will be in for the first couple of weeks when you quit smoking. I have searched through sofa pillows,and the trash, just to find a roach or a little nugget to smoke. I describe it as missing something, and needing to get back to a high state so that you can be relaxed. You may notice that you are hold a lot of tension and breathe poorly in the first week. Keeping yourself busy will help some, but it won’t make this feeling go away.  Keep reading to learn more about  withdrawal from marijuana. Inability to Sleep and Racing Thoughts Insomnia is a big deal in the first couple days of not smoking cannabis. There have been times where I have not slept for a couple of days. This goes away.

 If smoking pot makes you relaxed and tired, quitting can make you anxious and your mind lose focus.  It can take a while for your sleeping patterns to get back to normal. Generally within a month you will have more normal sleep patterns and get a full nights sleep. It is important to keep a regular sleep / wake schedule when going through marijuana withdrawal. Crazy Dreams and Nightmares As any smoker knows, cannabis intereres with your dreams and keeps you from dreaming or makes you forget them. When you give your body a break from marijuana, the dreams come back – and sometimes with a vengeance. If you haven’t dreamed in a long time, this aspect of marijuana withdrawal is very peculiar. Memories from years ago may resurface in dream form. I remember having a dream of classmates from high school that I hadn’t seen in over 10 years! Nightmares are common when you go through marijuana withdrawal. These can be vivid and involve people and things you know. I have had several dreams where I thought the world was about to end and I have woken up in a sweat before. Some people dream about marijuana, and smoke smoke in their dreams. This is part of the detox process and entirely normal. Loss of Appetite One of the most common symptoms of marijuana withdrawal is a lack of appetite. This usually lasts for 3 to 4 days after the last time you smoke.

You can almost think of it as the opposite of the munchies. Take Out doesn’t taste as good without smoking pot! It is normal if your appetite shrinks, or that you aren’t hungry for a couple days. You may even lose some weight when you go through cannabis withdrawal. The lack of hunger can be a part of a more general feeling of being sick that has been described as low-level flu like symptoms. Very few people get nausea or diarrhea, but it can happen. When I quit smoking weed, my diet improved. I have experienced the loss of appetite, and even the runs during the first week of quitting. The Sweats You may experience this after not smoking weed for a few days. Personally, I believe this to be caused by the stress of adaptation to life without weed. I do know that after smoking (succumbing to temptation) the sweats dissapear immediately. One tip for dealing with this, is to think of it as cleansing and that your body is boiling out the THC.  Your are speeding up your recovery by sweating it out! Are you tired of being a prisoner to weed? Have you tried and failed to quit before? Do you want to avoid withdrawal when you stop? Do you want learn how to quit smoking pot, go to <a onClick=”javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview(’/outgoing/article_exit_link’);” href=”http://ezinearticles.com/?Why-Quit-Marijuana?—The-Effects-of-Marijuana-on-the-Mind&id=1770027″>stop smoking pot</a> } and learn to kick the habit for good!

Many regular and heavy pot smokers go through withdrawal when they first quit weed. The detox period tends to last between 10 days to a month, and is worst in the beginning. Quitting weed sometimes produces physical and psychological withdrawal symptoms.  The most common symptoms are discussed in detail below.

 

Loss of Appetite

One of the most common symptoms of marijuana withdrawal is a lack of appetite. This usually lasts for 3 to 4 days after the last time you smoke. You can almost think of it as the opposite of the munchies. Take Out doesn’t taste as good without smoking pot!

It is normal if your appetite shrinks, or that you aren’t hungry for a couple days. You may even lose some weight when you go through cannabis withdrawal. The lack of hunger can be a part of a more general feeling of being sick that has been described as low-level flu like symptoms. Very few people get nausea or diarrhea, but it can happen.

When I quit smoking weed, my diet improved. I have experienced the loss of appetite, and even the runs during the first week of quitting.

Moodiness and Nervousness!

Anxiety is a big obstacle to get over in the first weeks of stopping. The anxiety that you feel during quitting is usually small relative to a full blown anxiety attack – but it is constant! You need to be prepared to deal with the emotional and mental state you will be in for the first couple of weeks when you quit smoking. I have searched through sofa pillows,and the trash, just to find a roach or a little nugget to smoke. I describe it as missing something, and needing to get back to a high state so that you can be relaxed. You may notice that you are hold a lot of tension and breathe poorly in the first week. Keeping yourself busy will help some, but it won’t make this feeling go away.  Keep reading to learn more about  withdrawal from marijuana.

 

Crazy Dreams and Nightmares

As any smoker knows, cannabis intereres with your dreams and keeps you from dreaming or makes you forget them. When you give your body a break from marijuana, the dreams come back – and sometimes with a vengeance. If you haven’t dreamed in a long time, this aspect of marijuana withdrawal is very peculiar. Memories from years ago may resurface in dream form. I remember having a dream of classmates from high school that I hadn’t seen in over 10 years!

 

Nightmares are common when you go through marijuana withdrawal. These can be vivid and involve people and things you know. I have had several dreams where I thought the world was about to end and I have woken up in a sweat before.  Some people dream about marijuana, and smoke smoke in their dreams. This is part of the detox process and entirely normal.

Inability to Sleep and Racing Thoughts

Insomnia is a big deal in the first couple days of not smoking cannabis. There have been times where I have not slept for a couple of days. This goes away. If smoking pot makes you relaxed and tired, quitting can make you anxious and your mind lose focus.  It can take a while for your sleeping patterns to get back to normal. Generally within a month you will have more normal sleep patterns and get a full nights sleep. It is important to keep a regular sleep / wake schedule when going through marijuana withdrawal.

The Sweats

You may experience this after not smoking weed for a few days. Personally, I believe this to be caused by the stress of adaptation to life without weed. I do know that after smoking (succumbing to temptation) the sweats dissapear immediately. One tip for dealing with this, is to think of it as cleansing and that your body is boiling out the THC.  Your are speeding up your recovery by sweating it out!

 

 

Detoxification From Addictive Substances

Detoxification (”detox”), or withdrawal, is the period of time it takes your body to adjust to being without a substance which it used to have regularly. During this time period a previous bodily “homeostasis” is restored, one based on not using the substance or substances. This restored homeostasis is similar to the one you had before you started using the substances regularly.

Homeostasis refers to the body’s maintenance, by an ongoing balancing act, of a stable internal condition. If you go scuba diving to a depth of 100 feet, your body adjusts to having that much additional weight pressing upon it. We could say that the body is pressing back as much as the weight of the water is pressing in, thereby allowing the body to maintain its internal functioning. If you come to the surface too quickly, however, your body cannot re-adjust fast enough. You get “the bends” (decompression sickness). Proper scuba diving therefore involves coming to the surface slowly enough that you do not get sick. The time taken to come to the surface corresponds to the time it takes for detoxification from addictive substances.

Detoxification can also refer to the removal of toxic substances from the body. To the extent addictive substances are toxic this definition also applies. In addiction, however, the primary meaning of detoxification is the readjustment of the body’s homeostasis.

Some classes of substances create more concern about detoxification than others. Stimulants (cocaine, methamphetamine, Ritalin, nicotine, caffeine, etc) do not need medical supervision for withdrawal. The withdrawal syndrome can be uncomfortable (much like having the flu) but is not potentially fatal. Hallucinogens and marijuana may have no withdrawal symptoms or only minor ones. Therefore, with any of these substances, one can stop use completely at any time. Tapering off is not needed. For substances not listed here it would be wise to seek medical consultation if you are using them on a daily basis. If you use a substance intermittently, with days between uses, then you already know what it feels like when you take off a few days.

The two primary classes of substances for which detoxification is a concern are depressants-as in central nervous system depressants (including alcohol, benzodiazepines such as Valium, sedatives, tranquilizers, and some sleep aids)-and opiates/opioids (including heroin, methadone, opium, Vicodin, and Suboxone). Detox takes 3 to 10 days typically, depending on the substance and your history with it, your overall health, your age, and other factors. Detox is often accomplished in a hospital ward devoted to detox only. People get medical detox for two reasons: 1) prescribed medications can make the process easier, and 2) simply going “cold turkey” (stopping your addictive substance suddenly) can make you very sick or even kill you. Therefore, even if you do not wish to have treatment for the addictive behavior itself, it is safest to seek medical attention for the detox process.

Tapering off your substance, perhaps over several weeks, is a reasonable approach from a medical perspective, but is often a poor approach in practice. If you have the ability to taper off, you might not have become physically dependent in the first place! Tapering off has more chance of working if your dependence on the drug is primarily physical not psychological. This condition might have arisen, for instance, if you were taking a pain medication for a long time, but never developed a psychological dependence on it.