If you are suffering from drug addiction, coming to a decision to quit drugs undoubtedly marks a pivotal point in your life. But considering the process of treatment or the cost of attending a rehab, you may consider at home drug recovery without any formal or specialized addiction treatment. This decision to self detox may come from a common misconception that addiction is a choice, and to get out of it, all you have to do is stop. Contrary to the misconception, addiction changes the brain and it takes a good deal of work to get it back to its normal state. The good news is that addiction treatment can prepare you with the tools you need to achieve long term recovery. Find the right drug addiction treatment program in Massachusetts.

What Are the Dangers of Self Detox?

Even though going through at home detox may not cost you a dime, it can be ineffective and sometimes even dangerous, especially if you are suffering from a full-blown case of addiction. Over time, your brain develops tolerance and dependence on the chemicals in the substance. To maintain a sense of physical and emotional equilibrium, your brain needs these chemicals. Once you stop taking the drugs, the body starts clearing itself of the drugs in an attempt to restore a state of normalcy. The process may involve withdrawal symptoms, some of which may be life-threatening symptoms such as:
  • Seizures and coma
  • Tachycardia and changes in the blood pressure
  • Tremors and muscle aches
  • Delusions and Hallucinations
Other less severe symptoms may include anxiety and depression, insomnia, headache, and flu-like symptoms. These unpleasant withdrawal symptoms can drive you back into the substance in a bid to mitigate them. When you relapse, you are likely to overdose since the tolerance is lower than before. Other than experiencing harsh withdrawal, at home drug recovery puts you in a position where you are susceptible to peer pressure who may drive you back into using the drugs. This may be the case, especially if peer pressure was the root cause of your addiction. Even though you may be having a supportive family and friends, that kind of support may not suffice, especially if most of them are non-users who can’t relate to what it is like to be addicted.

Are There Alternatives to at Home Drug Recovery?

Even though the idea of an at home recovery may be tempting, there are ways in which substance abuse treatment services can be tailored to meet your needs for flexibility, cost, and confidentiality, while avoiding the pitfalls of quitting without any professional help. For instance, an outpatient or partial hospitalization program may enable you to receive treatment while living at home and keeping up with your normal responsibilities. Such a program offers individuals with a low risk of relapse a solid support for long term recovery, avoiding the risk of losing a job or reputation. An inpatient or residential treatment program is the safest way to achieve long term recovery for those with moderate to high risks of relapsing. Even though the cost may be higher than that of an at home detox, insurance may cover treatment, making it affordable.

Find Addiction Recovery Support in a Massachusetts Addiction Treatment Center

An appropriate treatment center will provide you with the tools to ease the discomforts of withdrawal, offer a motivating environment that aggravates the desires to change, and provide you with the confidence to achieve long term recovery. Find a better alternative to at home drug recovery committed to supporting your recovery.