It’s a valid question and one that has no doubt made the rounds in the heads of addicts at one point or another. “I got myself into this mess, I can get myself out” is something that crosses the mind. Maybe the consideration of doing a self detox is related to the fear of anyone finding you have a problem. Or maybe you tried a self detox before and it didn’t last. Perhaps you believe enough in the sheer power of your will that overcoming addiction and substance abuse can be achieved solo.
Whatever the motivation, it’s a bold and possibly dangerous move, especially when detoxing off alcohol. While it certainly has been done before, there are many potential perils with trying to self detox on your own.
Dangers of Self Detoxing at Home
The first pitfall you’ll encounter when self detoxing, almost immediately, is withdrawal. It’s not comfortable and it’s not pleasant. It takes hold quickly and depending on the severity of the addiction the struggle can become extreme. The body essentially gets used to having a regular dose of whatever you’re taking or drinking, when it doesn’t get it, it throws your system into total disarray.
You can experience anxiety, sweatiness, depression, seizures, heart failure and in the case of detoxing off alcohol, delirium tremens, a very severe form of withdrawal from booze.
Moreover, withdrawal from some substances can be downright deadly, the possible seizures becoming life-threatening. Alcohol, opiates (like Oxycodone) and benzodiazepines (tranquilizers like Xanax) have a particularly high risk for a self detox becoming deadly.
Self detoxing unfortunately comes with a higher risk of relapsing as well. A significantly higher risk in fact. When on your own, it’s simply just easier to start using again when you become too uncomfortable with withdrawal. Even if you do make it through withdrawal though, you won’t necessarily be equipped with a recovery plan to keep you on the straight and narrow.
Benefits of Detoxing at a Facility
Detox facilities strive to mitigate and come as close as possible to eliminating some of the aforementioned dangers.
For starters, you’ll be under the watchful eye of professionals who are trained to get you through this process. They know what’s coming for you as you go through the detox process and how to react to it. Things you will most likely not know. Things that even if you do know, are still difficult to push through on your own.
To alleviate some of the severity of withdrawal symptoms, detox facilities can administer certain medications to counteract them. Weaning you off the drugs or alcohol in a much more controlled fashion, with less of the discomfort of going it on your own. Given that, an assisted detox means the possible lethal consequences are taken care of for the most part and even if something were to happen, you’re in exactly the place to get the proper help and medical attention.
Starting your recovery process with detox at a facility, rather than on your own, also sets you up for further success. Having a professional, real-world-tested and supervised approach to getting drugs or alcohol out of your system starts you on the right foot for your entire journey to sobriety.
Finding a Detox Facility
Struggling and suffering through addiction and substance abuse disorders is no simple feat. The decision to get sober is a tough one and to make it public by entering a detox and rehab facility is yet more difficult. It’s also brave and heroic. Fortunately, there’s at least one part of this that is easier: finding a detox. Above It All Treatment Network is a free and comprehensive resource tailormade to help you find the detox program that best suits your needs.