Alcohol and Drug Withdrawal in Cape Cod – (774) 272-4322

Alcohol and drug withdrawal is the term for the emotional and physical symptoms that occur when a person suddenly stops using a substance to which they are addicted or uses a significantly smaller amount.

While the actual symptoms of alcohol and drug withdrawal can vary from person to person and are largely determined by the substance involved, the discomfort often prompts addicts and alcoholics to return to drug and alcohol use even if they have a desire to quit. As a result, dealing with alcohol and drug withdrawal is an important first step to any effective treatment plan for addiction.

What Causes Alcohol and Drug Withdrawal?

Substance abuse leads to changes in brain activity, and each type of substance has its own unique effects. As an example, alcohol increases sensitivity to a brain chemical called GABA that promotes a feeling of calm and reduces the effects of glutamate that causes opposite feelings of excitement. To make up for the effects of alcohol, the brain “turns up” the sensitivity levels of its receptors for glutamate and “turns down” the receptors that respond to GABA.

When you abuse alcohol for long periods of time, this becomes the default state of your brain. Should you suddenly stop drinking, your brain must suddenly begin working the way it originally did to function properly. This is what leads to the many physical and emotional symptoms of withdrawal.

How Medical Detox Helps With Withdrawal

Medical detox is a method for mitigating the symptoms of alcohol and drug withdrawal so that people can discontinue the use of substances as quickly and safely as possible. Detoxification is an essential part of any effective treatment plan for alcohol and drug addiction, as it’s usually not possible for a person faced with substance abuse problems to deal with the spiritual, emotional and mental aspects of the disease when they are coping with unpleasant physical symptoms. In some cases, alcohol and drug withdrawal can be life threatening. As a result, experts caution against trying to “go cold turkey” and detox on one’s own. Medical detox is performed under the close supervision of experienced medical experts who closely monitor the individual. Steps are taken throughout the process to ensure physical comfort. The final stage of detoxification is transition to treatments that explore the underlying causes of addiction and teach skills and strategies for abstaining from drug abuse in the future.

Treatment for Withdrawal in Cape Cod

At drugtreatmentcenterscapecod.com, we offer medical detox resources to help minimize the unpleasant symptoms of withdrawal in a setting that fully addresses the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual needs of those dealing with drug and alcohol addiction. Our experienced team uses a unique approach to medical detox that focuses on the use of natural interventions for withdrawal symptoms, and individualized care is provided at luxurious residential facilities in Cape Cod, Massachusetts. The safe, calm and comfortable atmosphere that we promote creates the ideal environment for detoxification and for further treatment to deal with the other aspects of addiction.

For more information, call Drug Treatment Centers Cape Cod today. Call us today at (774) 272-4322.