There are a few different options when it comes to detox. Some are far safer than others. Depending upon the substance use factors, a person can experience severe withdrawal symptoms that shouldn’t be managed at home. Types of detox include:
1. At-Home-Detox: attempting to do the detox process at home
2. Cold Turkey: stopping drug use abruptly
3. Drug Tapering: slowly and gradually reduces drug use over a period of time, typically under a medical supervision
4. Medical Detox: entering an inpatient recovery treatment facility to be monitored during withdrawal
Drug and alcohol detox is physically and emotionally difficult. Those who attempt to go it alone are taking a serious medical risk, especially if they choose to stop abruptly. Detoxing, under the supervision of a medical professional, is highly recommended to address psychological and physical symptoms. Some of the most common dangers linked to detoxing include:
- Delirium tremens (DT)
- Psychosis
- Severe pain
- Suicidal thoughts
While these dangers range in severity, some can be deadly. Therefore, it is absolutely critical to detox either in an inpatient rehab facility or under a medical professional’s supervision. When a substance abuse disorder takes hold of a person, their body grows accustomed to having the substance to function normally. Take that substance away, and the body reacts via withdrawal.