Drug Withdrawal Options

There are many options and important factors that should be considered when contemplating drug withdrawal.  While any and every addiction is a negative thing, it is not always easy or even obtainable to quit immediately or without the aid of medical advice and help.  It all depends upon the individual, how long they have been using, what type of drug they are addicted to, environment, past history, and state of mind. 

When dealing with a loved one, the question of willing participation is relevant.  From a medical or scientific view there are certain drugs that are considerably less dangerous to remove oneself from, than others.  Again, this depends upon type of addiction and relative health of the individual.  If the addiction has progressed to the point of causing physical harm to the addict, it is always advised that they should not undergo withdrawal without medical aid. 

Drugs, such as heroin and alcohol, can be extremely dangerous to withdraw from, and can cause unpredictable symptoms that could lead to death.  Drugs, such as marijuana and amphetamines, are typically less of a risk, but the liklihood of relapse is high if further help is not pursued. 

There is also the danger that accompanies any drug addiction of relapse overdose do to a lowered tolerance.  Even if withdrawal is successfully completed without the aid of outside help, it might be advised to seek counseling or some other form of long term therapy, or rehab, to prevent chronic relapse from occurring.

The first step in any sort of drug withdrawal is assessing the situation.  The best way of doing this is to receive a complete medical assessment by a doctor.  This will help in discovering how far the addiction has progressed and the best way in dealing with it. 

The next step is to decide what sort of detoxification would be best for the individual.  Things to consider are cost, environment, use of medication, religious factors, and statistical effectiveness.  Options include medical withdrawal within a hospital setting, outpatient drug-free treatment, short and long term residential centers, Methadone Maintenance Treatment Centers, and supervised home withdrawal.

 There are a wide variety of ways to deal with detoxification.  Some treatments include the use of homeopathic medicine and exercise, while others are more based on Western culture and pharmacological substitutions that will ease the withdrawal symptoms.  An example of this are the drugs methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone, used in cases of heroin addiction. The purpose of methadone, a synthetic substitute for heroin, is to prevent the symptoms of drug withdrawal, block effects of illicit use, and to prevent craving and disable relapse. 

The problem and danger, of using these alternative medications, is the fact that they are in themselves highly addictive.  Without the strict supervision of a specialist,  transference could happen, which is when an individual substitutes one drug for another. 

Drug withdrawal is only the first step in dealing with addiction.  It is however, a very important step, as it is essential for a person to have a clear mind when battling the issues that both led to and resulted from the problem. Drug withdrawal is part of a drug rehab and treatment program.

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Drug Withdrawal