Medical Detox in Wichita Falls, TX
Medical detox in Wichita Falls is the first step a person can take on their journey to becoming a drug-free individual. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, the goals of medical detoxification are to "safely manage the physical symptoms of withdrawal." Entering a medical drug rehab in Wichita Falls not only means a person has detox professionals on-hand 24 hours a day to ensure they receive medical help for serious side effects, they also can receive medications that will ease the medical detox process as much as possible.
For example, if a person has problems with nausea and vomiting as a result of drug withdrawals, medical personnel can administer anti-nausea medications. These could include ondansetron (Zofran) or promethazine (Phenergan). Another common side effect of drug withdrawals is anxiety. A professional at a medical detox center can administer medications known as benzodiazepines. Examples include lorazepam (Ativan) or alprazolam (Xanax). These medications can also reduce the likelihood a person will have a seizure, which is a risk when a person abuses alcohol.
Withdrawal Symptoms Associated With Medical Detox
Drugs and alcohol all belong to different "classes" of substances based on their effects on the body. Some examples of common classes of drugs abused include opioids and stimulants. When a person withdraws from these drugs, they will experience symptoms. This is because the brain and body have become accustomed to the presence of the drug or drugs. When there is no longer a supply of that drug, side effects occur. In addition to these effects, a person will experience strong cravings for a drug.
This is the brain's way of trying to stop the withdrawal symptoms from occurring, just like a person experiences feelings of hunger when they haven't eaten in some time. At a center for medical detox in Wichita Falls, a person can have the help of medical professionals in resisting these urges and staying sober.
The degree to which a person will experience withdrawal symptoms can be unpredictable. Some people may have mild symptoms while others can have symptoms that border on life-threatening. As a general rule, the longer a person has abused a substance and the more they used, the more severe their symptoms will be. Addiction to opiate painkillers and heroin is an unfortunately common addiction in Wichita Falls. Symptoms of these withdrawals can include:
- Agitation
- Anxiety
- Diarrhea
- Muscle pain
- Nausea
- Vomiting
Methamphetamine abuse is another common problem in the Wichita Falls area. Withdrawing from methamphetamine abuse includes symptoms like:
- Anxiety
- Feeling excessively sleep
- Increased appetite
- Paranoia
- Psychosis or losing touch with reality
- Severe depression, which can sometimes lead to thoughts of suicide
Often, the fear of withdrawals from drugs and/or alcohol may lead a person to resist getting treatment. Through medical detox in Wichita Falls, the withdrawal process can be made easier whenever possible, offering a person the best chance for success.
Why Is It Dangerous to Detox at Home?
Many individuals who suffer from drug and/or alcohol addiction may believe they can detox at home without any help. This is not only a concept that's often met with failure, it also could be one that presents potential dangers to the person's health. In some instances, withdrawing from drugs or alcohol can cause symptoms that are so severe they are life-threatening.
This is the case when a person withdrawing from alcohol experiences the delirium tremens or DTs that cause a person to have seizures, rapid heart rates, and hallucinations. Even if a person has loved ones or family members at home with them during the medical detox process, they are rarely prepared to handle the symptoms that can occur during detox. At a medical detox treatment facility, the professionals are familiar with potential symptoms, their treatments, and how to support an individual going through those particular treatments.
Why Should I Enter a Medical Detox Center?
When a person has medical needs, they seek help at a hospital or doctor's office. Medical detox is no different. Addiction is a health disorder that often require medical treatment and intervention for a person to experience treatment success. When a person is ready to quit abusing drugs, treatment programs in Wichita Falls can help them receive the services they need today and refer them to future services. While medical detox is only the first step in a person's sobriety journey, it is one that must be undertaken.
By trying to ease the process whenever possible, a person can have a greater rate of success and start focusing on breaking their mental addiction to a substance. Call us now at (877) 804-1531.