The most severe withdrawal symptoms appear in the first days of withdrawal. Typically, symptoms taper off and clients transition from detox centers to a rehab program, like the ones offered at Gateway locations. Even during rehab and beyond, withdrawal symptoms can linger. That makes drug and alcohol Withdrawal Management an ongoing concern.
Often, the physical withdrawal symptoms are the first to disappear. However, emotional and psychological symptoms can stick around for far longer. When patients stop using drugs or alcohol, it impacts the balance of chemicals in the brain. This can lead to uncomfortable feelings such as racing thoughts, anxiety, sleep and appetite disturbance and more.
These feelings generally don’t last long, but they can be overwhelming. Drug and alcohol Withdrawal Management, therefore, includes detox centers teaching clients about what to expect. If clients know that their feelings are part of withdrawal, they can be easier to deal with. This gives patients greater strength as they face the challenges of lingering withdrawal symptoms.
Drug and alcohol Withdrawal Management may also include appropriate therapies. Both Individual and Group Therapy can help clients identify their withdrawal symptoms and move past them.
One therapeutic approach to Withdrawal Management is mindfulness. Learning to separate physical pain from the emotional response to pain can reduce the severity of withdrawal symptoms. This allows clients to focus less on discomfort and more on the recovery process.
If emotional pain is the biggest problem, then therapy is the answer. Giving clients coping mechanisms allows them to avoid feelings of anxiety or depression. These emotions are typical during the recovery process, but conquering them provides patients a higher level of stability.
In addition to Withdrawal Management, clients can look forward to various recovery programs and addiction therapy services. Some of the most effective treatment methods available to clients are:
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