Many people feel that they would more comfortable going through the detox process alone and in their own home. However, self-detoxification is an extremely dangerous prospect and it is highly suggested that an individual enters into a treatment facility and receive medical supervision throughout the process. Withdrawal from certain substances can cause major health complication, and in some cases, can be fatal without medical intervention. Medical staff are able to address and treat withdrawal symptoms as they appear. Some substances, such as alcohol and benzodiazepines, carry the risk of lethal withdrawal symptoms and it is imperative that an individual receive medical supervision throughout the detoxification process. Alcohol withdrawal, for example, can cause Delirium Tremens and seizures that can be deadly. According to Adi Jaffe, in a 2010 Psychology Today article entitled Alcohol, Benzos, and Opiates—Withdrawal That Might Kill You, explains, “Yes, after long term use, withdrawal from alcohol can kill. Alcohol withdrawal syndrome can take on mild, moderate, or severe forms. If while withdrawing from alcohol a person develops a fever, extreme nausea, diarrhea, or DT (delirium tremens), they need to be rushed to see a doctor as soon as possible. In fact, alcohol withdrawal after heavy, chronic use is best managed under the care of a doctor or a professional medical detox unit. By using medications that relieve withdrawal symptoms, these professionals can essentially eliminate any of these risks.” As for benzodiazepine withdrawal, potentially lethal seizures may occur. According to the Journal of the Oklahoma State Medical Association, “Withdrawal seizures have occurred with short, medium, and long half-life benzodiazepine, if discontinued abruptly. Withdrawal seizures usually occur in patients who have been taking these medications for long periods of time and at high doses. Seizures have also been reported with less than 15 days of use and at therapeutic dosage. Almost all the withdrawal seizures reported were grand mal seizures. The severity of seizures range from a single episode to coma and death. Benzodiazepine dose tapering can be done faster in a hospital setting in high-dose abusers, but must be done more slowly in the outpatient setting in therapeutic dosage users.” In withdrawal from other substances, it us unlikely that self-detoxification will be successful or lead to long-term sobriety. The National Institute on Drug Abuse explains, “Although medically assisted detoxification can safely manage the acute physical symptoms of withdrawal and can, for some, pave the way for effective long-term addiction treatment, detoxification alone is rarely sufficient to help addicted individuals achieve long-term abstinence.” Even if one is capable of getting through the process of detoxification alone, it is highly unlikely that they will not relapse without proper treatment.
Your story doesn’t have to be one of pain and suffering as a result of addiction. You can make the decision to seek help now and embark upon the rewarding journey of recovery. Oceanfront Recovery, located in beautiful Laguna Beach, offers an independent, medically monitored alcohol and drug detox that is closely supervised by an affiliated team of detoxification specialists. For information about individualized treatment options, please call today: (877) 279-1777
