The prospect of undergoing medically assisted detox in Ohio can be daunting to those with a substance abuse disorder (SUD). Ultimately, addiction is a chronic medical condition that affects people physically and psychologically. This combination of factors can make breaking the hold addiction has on the body a difficult and often painful proposition.
If you or a loved one are contemplating medically assisted detox Ohio, congratulations are in order. This is a monumental first step, and it’s hard to understate the courage and strength it takes to make the decision.
As with any new and challenging shift in someone’s life, preparation is the key to ensuring a successful outcome. With that in mind, let’s take a look at seven helpful methods to get ready for your detox journey at home.
But First, Let’s Understand Detox
What is Detox?
Unlike at-home detoxes, for which you might use something like this TRS Detox Spray in order to help get your body feeling back to normal and functioning as it should, medically assisted detox in Ohio is the first step on the journey to recovering from addiction. Detoxification is the process of eliminating traces of drugs and alcohol from the body to stabilize and prepare someone physically before they begin therapy.
Why is Detox Necessary?
When drugs or alcohol are consumed at high levels, the human body gets used to having these substances in the system. This creates a dependency that cannot be severed without experiencing withdrawal symptoms. When a substance abuse disorder has escalated to this degree, detox is crucial to remove the substances gradually and safely from the body under the appropriate supervision.
How to Prepare for Detox
During the detox process, you will experience physical and psychological changes. These changes signal that the body and brain are adjusting to the sudden drop in chemicals. Getting through these changes will require support and preparation. Here’s what you can do:
- Prepare Yourself Mentally
There’s a fundamental truth about any new experience – things become less scary when you know what to expect. If anyone tells you detox is easy, they are lying. Although the journey will be rewarding, and you’ll love yourself for sticking with it, the process can be challenging, especially early on.
One of the biggest hurdles of the detoxification process is withstanding the withdrawal symptoms. These can include:
- Nervousness or anxiety
- Trouble sleeping
- Frequent yawning
- Nausea
- Diarrhea.
- Flu-like symptoms
- Muscle cramps/body aches
- Elevated blood pressure
- Racing pulse
- Sweating
- Insomnia
- Tremors
- Anxiety
- Agitation
- Headache
- Sweating
- Nausea/vomiting
Although these might sound scary, knowing that experiencing these effects is part of the journey helps keep things in perspective. Just know that the pain is temporary and well worth a healthier life.
- Plan Your Schedule
Depending on how you decide to approach detox, you’ll need to consider your external responsibilities. Outpatient detox at home is more convenient but also comes with a unique set of challenges.
Remember that you will not feel at your best early on and that stress and anxiety can be detrimental. It’s best to avoid unnecessary pressures and commitments that make you feel obligated to do something you might not want to do.
During your medically assisted detox process in Ohio, consider taking time off from work or school, inviting friends over for love and support, and refrain from taking on too many responsibilities. Before you embark on this journey, look at your schedule and think about the time you’ll need for therapy, drug screenings, and for yourself.
- Give Yourself the Benefit of an Open Mind
It’s no secret that detox can be a long and often uncomfortable process. Because of the physiological and psychological changes, your body will experience, there will be uncharacteristic changes in your mood.
During these episodes, it’s essential to keep things in perspective and trust the process. Whenever you feel angry, prickly, or depressed, keep your mind open to the idea that these emotions are growing pains – the necessary dusk before the dawn of a new you.
- Improve Your Diet
The start of a new chapter in your life is as good a reason as any to get into healthier habits. Remember that detox is about getting your mind and body healthy, and a cleaner diet helps facilitate this transition.
Replenishing your body with natural food will help you feel better and make the medically assisted detox in Ohio a lot easier. This means eating more vegetables, drinking more water, and avoiding sugar and carb-heavy foods.
- Time to Work Out
We’re sticking to the health theme for this one. There will be times during your detoxification in which you’ll just want to bundle up in a dark room and stay away from anything and everything. Although understandable, this behavior can prove to be detrimental to your recovery.
Exercising regularly is one of the best things you can do for your mental and physical health during detox. There are countless studies that associate exercise with reducing anxiety, depression, and negative moods – all factors you might have to tackle during your recovery. Just an hour of low-impact exercise every day can make a massive difference in the way you feel.
- Breathe and Meditate
Breathing exercises and meditation do a lot more than help you become more centered. Not only do these practices help quiet the mind and find internal peace, but active breathing also gets more oxygen to your cells which boosts the detox process.
The best part of these activities is that they have a low barrier to entry and require a minimal time investment. Just taking ten minutes before bedtime to breathe and clear your mind can have some powerful effects on your psyche.
- Make Some Calls
Having a support system during your journey through medically assisted detox in Ohio can be a powerful tool in ensuring success and recovery. There will be good and bad days, and it’s important to have friends you can lean on during those days when you just need someone to listen.
Reach out to a friend or family member and let them know you might need their company now and then. You’d be surprised how something as simple as a phone call to vent about how you feel can transform your mood and make everything feel less overwhelming.
Want to Learn More About Medically Assisted Detox in Ohio?
Knowledge is one of your most powerful tools in recovery. If you’re ready to take the first step to overcome a substance abuse disorder, get the information you need and reach out to a professional today.
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