A physical addiction sneaks up on you. It doesn’t happen overnight. In fact, it typically starts with tolerance that gives you a false sense of “handling” your drug of choice. Here’s what you need to know about physical dependency and its treatment.
How a Physical Addiction Develops
Alcohol is an excellent example. You start having a few drinks to take the edge off a challenging day. Maybe you have some unwelcome thoughts or feelings you want to dull. Because self-medicating yourself with this nervous system depressant works, you do it more frequently.
However, there comes a point in time when your body develops a tolerance to the alcohol. You now have to drink more to get the same effect. Outsiders looking in say that you’re holding your liquor well. In reality, you’re on that slippery slope to the development of an alcohol use disorder.
As you increase the amount of alcohol you introduce into your body, the chemicals rewrite your brain’s chemistry. Depressing specific nervous system functions now depends on the presence of the drug. When you go too long without it, your body sends you warning signs in the form of withdrawal symptoms. They’re so unpleasant that you hasten to drink more.
Detox Helps you to Overcome a Physical Addiction
Whether you’re struggling with alcohol-related symptoms or symptoms of heroin withdrawal, they’re painful and scary. Working with addiction specialists at a detox facility is the safest way of ending the body’s dependency on a substance. Therapists approach your withdrawal with treatments that might include:
- Men’s detox program and women’s detox program that builds on your innate strengths and responds to your unique gender challenges to recovery
- Pharmacological support as needed to keep you healthy and pain-free during the acute withdrawal phase
- Psychotherapy as a means of helping you understand the reasons behind your decision to start using drugs or alcohol
- Group therapy sessions, which introduce you to peers in recovery and allow for the development of relapse prevention skills
- Holistic approach to some treatments that include Yoga and meditation therapy as healthy ways of dealing with stress and triggers
Can You Beat an Addiction on Your Own?
Ending a physical addiction can be painful and dangerous. Depending on the drug you use, it may lead to withdrawal symptoms that can endanger your health. For alcohol, there are the dangers of seizures and delirium tremens (DTs). Overcoming physical opiate addiction can result in significant spikes in blood pressure and heart rate.
All around, you’re more likely to be successful and remain healthy by having the assistance of addiction specialists. Maybe you’ve tried to quit using in the past and failed. Some people have attempted many times to stop their drug abuse before entering a detox facility. No matter what describes you best, ending your physical dependence this way works well.
If you’ve been struggling with a substance abuse problem, don’t lose hope. Recovery from psychological and physical addiction starts with detox. At Serenity House Detox & Recovery, caring addiction treatment specialists routinely work with people just like you. Call us at 866-294-5306 today to take that first step toward sobriety.
