Though some people truly relish new experiences and the sense of adventure that can accompany them, many people are much less eager to jump into new things. For some, that disinclination can be particularly strong. Most of the time, that isn’t really much of a problem. To each their own, right?
Afraid of Getting Help
But if fear of the unknown is stopping you or a loved one from seeking treatment for a substance use disorder, that isn’t good at all.
To help you overcome that fear, we offer this look at what you can expect when you enter a residential treatment center—like Wooded Glen Recovery Center—for detox and rehab. We’ll also consider what our commitment to a continuum of care means to you when you leave treatment and start your recovery journey.
Details of Detox
Many people—possibly influenced by the depiction of detoxification in popular culture—are afraid that giving up drugs or alcohol might actually be worse than continuing to use them. The specter of terrible withdrawal symptoms are at the heart of this fear of detox and rehab.
Yes, detoxification can be difficult and unpleasant. But that’s all the more reason to pursue medically-supervised detoxification in a residential treatment environment. While under the care of medical professionals with expertise in treating substance use disorders, you will have help and encouragement in dealing with the challenges of withdrawal.
For some people, the symptoms of withdrawal may persist for 24 to 72 hours. Others may find themselves dealing with withdrawal symptoms for several weeks. And in a few extreme cases, the detoxification process may be ongoing for months or even years as the body recuperates from the damage caused by drugs or alcohol. The support and guidance of a trained treatment team is the best way to address the symptoms no matter how long they last.
Those symptoms may include:
- Flu-like symptoms, including fever, headache, body aches, vomiting, and persistent nausea
- Irritability, moodiness, aggression, depression, anxiety, and/or hopelessness
- Ongoing wakefulness and/or extreme fatigue
- Skin conditions including acne, rashes, and/or welts
- A marked increase in appetite
- Motor control issues, delirium tremens (DTs), and/or paranoia and hallucinations
As you have probably concluded, given the severity of some of these symptoms, it is extremely unwise to attempt detoxification on your own (by, for example, going “cold turkey”). A trained, compassionate staff is a key part of the process—especially if your situation calls for assistive medications to support the body as it goes through detox.
Regarding Rehab
Once the drugs or alcohol are out of your system, the focus of your treatment shifts to rehabilitation. During your residential treatment, you and your caregivers will work on developing the skills you will need to handle triggers, cravings, and stressors that may put you at risk for relapse. Over time, the goal is to build resilience and self-confidence that can help you maintain your sobriety.
Individual and group therapy are important components of this phase of treatment—as is the treatment of any co-occurring disorders or trauma that may be contributing factors in your substance use disorder. Recovery centers like Wooded Glen also provide family programming to help repair relationships and provide ideas for showing support, access to 12-Step groups, and a holistic approach to treatment that is grounded in the idea that the mind, body, and spirit are interconnected.
The Continuum of Care
We would love to tell you that going through detox and rehab are the end of the story—that it is all clear sailing after that. But of course, that isn’t true. In fact, many people relapse during the early days of recovery. Treatment facilities like Wooded Glen Recovery Center don’t just forget about you when you walk out the door. Instead, we provide ongoing support, connecting you with resources and offering guidance and intervention when it is needed.
Still, you may experience a relapse. And if you do, you may decide that detox and rehab don’t work—or at least that they don’t work for you. That’s an understandable conclusion. But it isn’t the right conclusion.
Instead, you should return to treatment and work with the staff to tweak your personalized care plan and strategies for maintaining your sobriety. A relapse is a setback, but it isn’t the end of the story.
And if you do find yourself needing to return to treatment, at least you will do so with a stronger sense of what to expect. That’s a good thing all around.
Trade Your Fear for Hope
At Wooded Glen Recovery Center, we understand that entering treatment can be scary. But we are committed to helping you overcome your fear so that you can experience the hope that comes from trading addiction for sobriety. There are plenty of challenges, but challenges are easier to face when you have a strong support system—and the staff at Wooded Glen is made up of compassionate, non-judgmental experts who will stand beside you through the entire process of detox, rehab, and recovery.