If you have made the decision to stop your drug use, then you should be very proud of yourself.
Now comes the tough choice, how are you going to do it? The two major methods of overcoming a drug addiction tend to be rehab or going cold turkey. Going cold turkey refers to when someone stops using their drug use immediately, while rehab often involves taking the process in steps and having services such as therapy at hand. You might feel desperate to stop your drug addiction and thus think that going cold turkey is the better option for you, as it seems a faster option. This is however not the case, as going cold turkey has many downsides to it.
Withdrawal symptoms
When you start to detox, you will experience withdrawal symptoms. Withdrawal symptoms are unique to everyone, and they vary depending on the drug. Withdrawal symptoms are a mixture of emotional and physical, and they can be very scary. In general, emotional withdrawal symptoms include insomnia, anxiety, and being irritated very easily. Physical withdrawal symptoms can include sweating, fast heart rate, and muscle irritability. These symptoms can be very intimidating, especially when you do not have a professional around to tell you that they are part of the process, and will not be harmful in the long term. There are however dangerous withdrawal symptoms that can occur. While it is rare, some people that detox can experience heart attacks or hallucinations, symptoms that require immediate medical attention. When you are in a rehabilitation center, there will be people there to help you through your withdrawal symptoms, and if they are serious, ensure that you get the medical attention that you need.
Necessary emotional support
The reasons people start using drugs differ, but often there is an emotional aspect involved. You might have lost your job, or a close friend might have passed away. Drugs can be an escape from such problems. Thus, when you start to stop using drugs, these emotional problems can rise up again. It is important that you have the right support to help you through these problems. Moreover, assessing why you started using drugs is a vital step towards recovery. Such support can be found in a rehabilitation center. People working there know exactly how to help you through your problems, and are experts in treating recovering drug addicts. You might feel that support from you family and friends is enough, but in most cases, it is not. Talking to your family and friends is a great help, but they probably do not know how the mind of a drug addict works, and might not be able to help you in the best possible way.
Support network
By going to rehab, you get in contact with people very similar to yourself. Everyone is there for the same reason; to overcome their addiction. This can be a very inspirational environment, as everyone is reaching for the same goal. You get an instant support network; people that are there when you are struggling, and people that are there to share your triumphs with. Often, going to rehab includes group therapy, which allows you to listen to other peoples stories about their drug addiction. This will make you realize that you are not alone, and motivate you towards recovery.
Follow up
Once you have completed your detox, the road to recovery is not yet complete. You will find that you need support to help you get through the initial stages of a drug-free life. If you have detoxed cold turkey, this support will be harder to find, as you most likely did not make bonds with fellow drug addicts during your detox. When you go to rehab to detox, you will automatically become part of a community of fellow drug users, which will become fellow ex-drug users. These are people you stay in contact with, and who are there to support you through rough times. Moreover, when you enter into rehab, you will receive advice on how to handle you life drug-free. The resources are there for you to take, so make the most of it.
About the Author: This is a guest post by Stanley Martinson. Concerned with issues of drug dependence Stanely is a huge purponent of Rehabilitation. For more information, take a look here.