Rehabilitation doesn’t come at once for patients who are suffering from a long-term addiction. Addiction can be pervasive and persistent, even during treatment, so it’s necessary to flush everything out before engaging in a new form of treatment. Processing addiction, and eventually treating it can be a long and difficult process, but not impossible. Often, the underlying causes of the addiction are far more complex than simply pointing to the drug itself, although this is a huge contributing factor.
People can help loved ones suffering from addiction by first enlisting them in detox clinics that meet their specific needs and capacities. But what’s the difference between rehab and detox, and why does one need to go through detox clinics first before enlisting in rehabilitation? Here’s why:
Rehabilitation vs. Detoxification
Rehabilitation is the state of finally healing from the negative effects of addiction, whereas detoxification is still the process of flushing everything out and getting rid of physical symptoms before engaging in the therapeutic effects of rehabilitation. Detoxification, as its name suggests, is the removal of any trace of the drug from your system, which may lead to some unwanted setbacks but which will ultimately give you an excellent rehab experience later on.
Why Detoxify?
Detoxification is necessary to clear your mind of any lingering effects of physical addiction. Think of it as a preparation for your entry into rehab. This is essential because it is necessary to break your physical dependence on drugs and get it out of your system before you can participate in things such as therapy and inpatient care in the rehabilitation center. It may be difficult at first, but eventually, once your body becomes more accustomed to its new settings, you’ll have an easier time participating in drug rehabilitation and become one step closer to turning your life around.
