If you have a substance use disorder, the first step to recovery typically involves a substance abuse detox program. At Pines Recovery Life Detox in South Florida, we offer traditional and medically assisted detox services to our patients. Many people who come to us require minimal medical assistance. However, some drugs necessitate an aggressive medical detox…
Pines Recovery Life Detox offers drug and alcohol detoxification services to those with substance abuse disorders in South Florida. Our patients often face their first recovery from addiction with our team of dedicated therapists and medical professionals. Learn more about what expectations of having during your first detox. What Is Detox? If you have an addiction…
As it relates to alcoholics and addicts, our drug of choice was at one time one of the greatest discoveries we had ever made. Anxieties were eased, fears diminished and sometimes even just existing in our own skin was somehow more manageable. However, as the story always goes, it works until it doesn’t anymore. Though I still had it in my head that getting sober was the end of all things enjoyable for me, I can honestly say that my life has turned around in ways I never thought possible.
1. Self Acceptance
First and most importantly, I can look myself in the mirror. It’s no secret that addiction is a monster that transforms some of the most beautiful lives into chaos and ruin; I certainly found it to be true. I no longer recognized who I was anymore and what I did see flat out disgusted me. Getting sober felt like losing an old friend, I’ll admit, but in the process, I found myself and that gain is immeasurable.
A substance use disorder is a clinical term used to describe addiction to drugs or alcohol. According to guidelines set forth in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, withdrawal is one of the diagnostic criteria for a substance use disorder. Withdrawal, which occurs when people with addictions stop using drugs or alcohol, involves unpleasant symptoms as a result of the substance of abuse no longer being active in the body.
When a person enters withdrawal, he or she may experience painful symptoms, making it difficult to permanently stop using the substance of abuse. In fact, people may return to drug or alcohol use to avoid withdrawal symptoms. In cases where a person wants to stop using drugs and/or alcohol but withdrawal symptoms are making the process more challenging, an alcohol and drug detox program may be necessary to manage symptoms and begin the journey toward lasting recovery. Detox programs can also provide life-saving medical treatment in cases where withdrawal becomes dangerous.
One of the most unpleasant and deterring parts of detox is the withdrawal symptoms that can accompany it. Some people prefer to take detox on in their home as it is a familiar place where they have all their personal things. Others will detox in a facility that is designed and staffed to specifically support the drug and alcohol detox process. Many detox facilities offer medically assisted detox treatment to help manage withdrawal symptoms as best as possible. In fact, this type of treatment is one of the main reasons that individuals do often choose a detox facility over at-home detox.
What Does Medical Detox Involve?
Medical detox, or medically assisted detox, is a process that uses a mix of medical means and therapy to cleanse the body of any toxic substances and to give an individual’s body and mind a clean slate as they begin their sober life. The use of medications also manages many of the symptoms the accompany detox from various drugs and alcohol. Therapy can help with developing life skills to avoid relapse and identifying any underlying mental health disorders.
As of 2017, the estimated 14.9% of people aged 12 and older have reported lifetime cocaine use. This means that an estimated 6 million Americans have used cocaine in their lifetime. Cocaine use often seems harmless at the beginning but it is a highly addictive substance that can lead to a number of physical, emotional, and social consequences. Being able to identify cocaine addiction in yourself or a loved once can be paramount to preventing a bad situation from getting worse.
Identifying Cocaine
Being able to identify cocaine and help you know what you are looking for if you find it in a loved one’s possession. There are 2 forms of cocaine, powered and crystalized (crack). Powdered cocaine is most commonly used and can be snorted, injected, or smoked. Crack cocaine is rock/crystal form of the drug that is typically smoked. Crack cocaine is more intense and the effects are felt quicker, but they also wear off quicker. Like many other odorless illicit drugs, cocaine is commonly stored in small plastic baggies.
How to recognize signs of drug abuse and addiction
The answer is not a simple one, especially in the initial phase of drug consumption when neither the psychological nor the physical health of a person haven’t been disrupted, and they’re still trying to keep old habits and leave the impression that everything is fine. If you suspect that you or someone you love is having a problem with substance abuse, there’s a list of universally accepted symptoms.
According to the World Drug Report, 29.5 million people worldwide suffer from drug use disorders. Even the first use of an illicit drug qualifies as drug abuse. It usually starts willfully, and most commonly due to curiosity, boredom, stress or depression. Addiction is a strong urge to obtain the use of illicit drugs regardless of the consequences, and it’s a product of prolonged drug abuse.