If a close relative or friend is addicted to drugs and wants to get clean, he or she may ask to stay with you while detoxing. Detoxing from drugs is not an easy event, and that is one of the reasons addicts find it so hard to quit using drugs. Detoxing takes time and can be painful and miserable, but it is a necessary step to breaking a drug addiction. If you agree to help this person, here are several things you should know as you prepare to go through this event.
The addict will suffer many withdrawal symptoms
When a person is addicted to drugs, his or her brain is trained to need the drugs. When the person's brain does not get the drugs, the brain senses a huge problem and responds to it in many ways. The result of this is withdrawal symptoms. A drug addict that detoxes will typically go through these symptoms for at least one full week; however, this can vary depending on the person, the drug, and the level of the addiction. Here are some of the main withdrawal symptoms you should expect to see:
These are the main symptoms addicts will experience, and it can be terribly difficult to watch a person go through these things.
There is not a lot you can do
As the addict suffers through these symptoms, it's important to know that there are some things you can do, but there is really nothing you can do to stop the symptoms from occurring. You can try to keep the person hydrated with water, and you can offer over-the-counter medications, such as ibuprofen. You can also help him or her bathe, as sitting in a bath often brings some relief.
You should expect the person to try to leave
Additionally, the symptoms can become so bad and last so long that it is not uncommon for an addict to try to leave the situation so that he or she can use drugs. If this happens, it's important to know that you can try to talk him or her out of leaving, but there is nothing you can really do to stop the person from leaving. If you want your loved one to get clean and break the drug habit, you might want to encourage him or her to go to a drug detox and treatment facility like The Lakes Treatment Center. These facilities can offer more help than you can, and this offers a safe place for a person to detox and get the help they really need.
Share24 June 2018
When I initially started the therapy process about 10 years ago, I didn't take the time to scout out the right counselor. Instead, I just went to the first counselor that my doctor recommended, and the experience was less than enjoyable. I realized that I might need to do a little research to find the right counselor for me, so I took the time to carefully evaluate my needs and research different clinics in my area. I was able to find an amazing counselor who really seemed to have it under control, and it was incredibly beneficial to see the difference that it made. This blog is all about finding the right counselor.
