The word detox is something you may have heard of but not be entirely sure what it involves. From people deep in addiction and needing medical intervention, to those who have experimented with drugs and want to change unhealthy behaviours, detox has incredible benefits for each case.
If you are considering detox but are unsure what to expect, here are five things that nobody tells you, straight from the heart of our recovery centre.
1. You don’t have to hit rock bottom
At The Haynes’ Clinic, we’ve seen many people come to us for detox after something so bad happened that they couldn’t see any other way out than to heal with us. Sometimes people have a death scare, lose someone close to them, or go through a breakup caused by their addiction.
While detox is an incredible healing period for people to start building their life back up after an event shocks them into reality, you don’t have to wait for something awful to happen before entering detox.
Anyone who is reliant on alcohol or drugs – including prescribed medication – to function throughout the day will benefit from detox. The withdrawal process is about keeping you safe and helping you to wean off these substances before they destroy or take your life.
Many people delay detox because they think their situation isn’t bad enough. In fact, early support is often easier than crisis support, as you still maintain a level of control over your behaviour. Why wait for something awful to happen if you can start the detox journey today?
2. Structure and routine are a part of detox
The definition of detox may describe removing a substance from the body. But this simplistic explanation does little to explain how detox supports addiction recovery. Undergoing detox is an entire lifestyle rebalance aimed at improving your physical and mental health.
At a rehab centre such as ours, we’ll help you readjust to a regular routine as you withdraw from harmful substances. As well as supporting you through any discomfort, you’ll rebuild a daily pattern, making decisions on food prep, cleaning, exercise, and creative hobbies. We’ll encourage you to follow a good sleep schedule, deal with emotions through connection and honesty, eat nutritious and regular meals, and lay out easy steps to help you take things at a comfortable pace.
Withdrawal alone does not support long-term recovery. Detox programmes take the weight off certain tasks to reduce decision fatigue and help you rebuild confidence without relying on substances.
3. You’re not detoxing alone
Detox accounts usually depict what happens to you personally when entering withdrawal. You may know what happens to your body and what your schedule includes, but what you might not be told is that you will be living alongside other people going through the detox programme.
A common reaction to this is to stay guarded. Addiction causes trust issues, and we understand that confessing how you really feel can be daunting. Yet, detox relies on a group effort to succeed.
As you adjust to lower doses of drugs or alcohol, there will likely be uncomfortable memories and thoughts that reappear. Our staff guidance, alongside a group of people all going through similar experiences, is the best way to work through these moments without turning back to drugs.
Because everyone is in the same boat, and some people in the group will be further along the journey, you’ll see how detox physically and mentally benefits them, helping you prepare and look forward to those moments yourself. You’ll never have to overexplain, as you’ll be understood and accepted for exactly who you are.
This safety and inspiration are exactly what make detox successful.
4. Fear of detox is more daunting than detox itself
All of us at The Haynes Clinic, and the people we’ve met and treated, admit that detox is so much more positive than expected.
Some of the fears we shared about detox, which are not true, included:
It would be painful
Withdrawal can be uncomfortable, but medical detox and emotional support make the process bearable
We would lose ourselves
Detox clears the fog caused by mind-altering drugs. Mental clarity, physical health and creativity all return stronger after detox, encouraging people to regain interest in lost hobbies,
We would hate ourselves sober
Sadly, too many of us have relied on drugs and alcohol for so long that we believe it is part of our identity. We don’t want the fog to lift or face difficult realities.
Detox teaches us that most of these fears are in our heads. If you experience these doubts, know that through tapered withdrawal, emotional support and taking responsibility, it’s possible to accept and love who you are, forgive mistakes and learn from the past without dwelling on it.
Detox means giving up control
Often, clients are surprised by how much the detox process relies on their effort and input. Detox centres don’t run mandatory programmes, and you are not forced to stay.
Detoxing can be difficult, and the desire to get sober has to come from within. Joining a detox programme means taking back control of your life, wanting to change and choosing to make healthier decisions without letting substances dictate the rules.
At The Haynes Clinic, we help you take back control through a structured detox programme, if that’s what you want to accomplish. Your fate is in your hands.
5. Most people wish they had done it earlier
All of our clients who reach graduation and start addiction recovery tell us that they can’t believe they’ve managed to get out of a dark place and feel so good. We’re often told that if they knew what detox was really like, they would have done it sooner.
It’s natural to feel unsure about such a big change, and fear of the unknown can make it feel safer staying in a bad place. But if you think your life can be better, you deserve to experience the detox support that so many people have used to turn their lives around.
If you have any reliance on alcohol or drugs and want to take back control of your life, the best time to detox is right now.
Call us today on 01462 851414 for honest and confidential advice.