Detox Los Angeles: What You Need to Know

If you or a loved one has a problem with drugs and alcohol that’s interfering with living a healthy, joyous life, you consider detox Los Angeles. Getting clean from your drug(s) of choice is the first step in recovery. While some people with substance use disorders can get clean and sober on their own or with the help of a 12-step recovery group, many others need more support to stop using. 

Once you’ve developed a chemical dependence, you’re likely to experience withdrawal symptoms when you stop using the drug. Unfortunately, this is where many addicts get stuck and are unable to get clean. The withdrawal is so unpleasant that they go back to using it to relieve their symptoms. 

Without ridding yourself of the toxin, recovery isn’t possible. That’s why detox can be a game-changer when it comes to your recovery. You’re able to stop using so that you can start to understand what led to the addiction in the first place, and how you can live a life free of drugs and alcohol.

What is Detox?

Detoxifying is the process of clearing the drugs and alcohol from your system. Going to detox means that you can be safe and comfortable while you go through the symptoms that accompany withdrawal. These can be mild, moderate, or severe. Depending on a few different factors, some of the symptoms can be life-threatening, which is why for many people it’s best to go to a detox facility rather than try to go it alone.

There are a number of changes in the brain when you ingest drugs or alcohol. These toxins sometimes replace other natural chemicals that your brain normally makes, or your brain changes the way it releases the natural neurochemicals. The reward pathways in the brain are also affected.

Another reason that you want to keep doing more is that as you keep drinking or using, the amount of alcohol and drugs that you need to get the same effects (euphoria, numbing out, or whatever) increases. Your brain builds up a tolerance to your drug of choice and so you have to keep doing more of it to feel better.

You might eventually go past tolerance into dependence. At that point, your life is mostly driven by figuring out how you’re going to get the drug and actually use it, followed by the need to get more. And on and on in a vicious cycle. You don’t have to get to that point to stop, however! You can decide that drugs and alcohol no longer serve you because they’re causing problems for you, and you want help to get sober.

There are two ways to detox: stopping all at once or tapering off gradually. For some people struggling with substance use disorder, quitting “cold turkey” (all at once) is an excellent option. The detox process will go faster when you don’t have any more of the drug affecting you.

However, quitting cold turkey doesn’t work for everyone and can be dangerous for some. Withdrawal can become life-threatening, depending on the drug and how long and heavily it was used. If that’s the case, then a gradual taper is a better solution. While it may take longer, it’s much safer. Tapering is often the method of choice for withdrawals from opioids (heroin, fentanyl, and methadone) and benzodiazepines (such as Xanax and Valium). 

When you stop using, your brain has a chemical imbalance because it’s used to having drugs and alcohol present. It takes some time for it to adjust to the lack of toxins, and this adaptation is the driving force behind the withdrawal symptoms you feel. 

Many people feel nauseous, have upset stomachs, anxiety, and depression when they stop using. In addition, because specific drugs target different chemicals in the brain, you’ll likely experience additional symptoms depending on the drug(s) you’re withdrawing from. Some of them can be life-threatening, which is why you may need a supervised detox just to get through withdrawal in one piece.

Who Needs Detox from Alcohol or Drugs?

Not everyone with a substance use disorder will have withdrawal symptoms that require a supervised detox. In general, if you’re in good health otherwise and you haven’t been using the substance very much or for very long, you may not need the extra help of detox. Instead, your first step on the recovery journey could be rehab, or in some cases, just 12-step (or similar) recovery groups.

However, if you do need support to get through withdrawals, then it’s best to go to detox Los Angeles to take your first step as comfortably and safely as you can. If you’re in bad physical health, which is pretty common for anyone who’s dependent on their drugs and no longer takes in nutrients, then you’ll receive some fluids while you’re in detox.

If you’ve developed a significant dependence on drugs and alcohol, you may also need medication to help with your withdrawal symptoms, so you’re not in too much pain as you detox. Not everyone needs medication management, but it can be the difference between recovery and relapse for those who do.

The risk of relapse during the withdrawal process is high, especially if you’re going it alone. The symptoms can become so painful and uncomfortable that you can’t stand it and go back to using. Even when you know you need to stop. Detoxing under supervision can not only make you more comfortable but also help prevent you from using when you have cravings or don’t feel well.

Assisted vs. In-Home Detox

You have several options when it comes to detox. The in-home choice will not work if you need medication that you can’t get over the counter, if your health has deteriorated, and if you don’t follow up with treatment. Detox is only the first step, so if you stay home and detox on your own, you still need help with the substance use disorder itself. Detox only rids yourself of the toxins. On the other hand, if you’re healthy, don’t need medication, and have plans to attend rehab or recovery meetings, detoxing at home is an affordable option.

You may need an assisted detox if those conditions don’t apply, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to go to rehab with a 24/7 detox. You do still need to be relatively healthy, but you might be able to get medication and supervision at an urgent care facility or your doctor’s office. While you probably have developed a tolerance, your life doesn’t entirely revolve around the drug because you haven’t been taking it very long or using much of it. This type of detox is known as sub-acute.

If you’ve built up a dependence and those conditions don’t apply to you, then you probably need acute detox in Los Angeles where you’ll stay in the facility and be continually monitored. Medical help is on site in case your symptoms become life-threatening. You may also be in bad health and need nutrients and hydration, and potentially require medication management as well.

Resurgence Can Help with Detox in Los Angeles

When you or a loved one is struggling with substance use and need to go to detox, Resurgence is available with the full continuum of care. We offer detox, inpatient rehab, and outpatient programs to help you stop using drugs and alcohol for good. 

Our facilities keep you safe and comfortable so that you can focus on getting clean and sober. The calm environment will keep you relaxed as you learn what caused your substance use disorder in the first place and how to deal with life’s stresses as you transition back into the real world.

Don’t wait any longer to begin a healthy and fulfilling life free of chemical dependence. Give us a call at (855) 458-0050 to get started.