Contributor: Rachael Mattice is the Content Writer Team Lead for Sovereign Health Group
For some people, using prescription medications to detox from addiction can be a wise choice. It’s important to remember the alternative methods of detoxing from drugs and alcohol as legitimate treatments.
For those that fear putting foreign elements into their body to get better, techniques such as Neurotransmitter Restoration (NTR) and NAD Rapid Detox can be comforting routes to take.
Natural Detox Methods
Natural detox methods are especially beneficial to drug addicts that have many artificial chemicals moving through their system already. Some detox methods involve drugs such as methadone, which, while approved as a way to wean someone off opiate dependence, is still an analgesic (painkiller) itself.
This drug was responsible for every 1 in 3 prescription drug deaths during 2009 which makes it a controversial option for drug abusers susceptible to trading one addiction for another. Using too much methadone can result in:
- Trouble breathing or shallow breathing
- Extreme tiredness or sleepiness
- Blurred vision
- Inability to think, talk or walk normally
- Feeling faint, dizzy or confused
Restoring Damage Done to the Brain
NTR is designed to restore some damage done to brain. This process uses a mix of amino acids, vitamins and other materials to jump start the healing process. Another key element for NTR is Nicotinamide Adenide Dinucleotide (NAD).
This becomes vitamin B3 (Nacin) when it enters the body and stimulates cells into activity to speed up brain restoration. This nutrient is an organic compound and one of the 20 to 80 essential human nutrients that’s difficult to overdose. B3 is also a coenzyme that binds with amino acids, the building blocks of protein.
The Symptoms of “Cold Turkey” Detox
A drug-free intravenous regime typically applies over a period of 10 to 14 days and provides a sped up form of detox. Without intervention, a “cold-turkey” break from opiate addiction can be intensely uncomfortable and potentially dangerous.
These symptoms typically include:
- Diarrhea
- Large pupils
- Abdominal pains
- Nausea
- Vomiting (which can dehydrate to the point of hospitalization)
- Body aches
- Anger
A More Comfortable Detox
This is why natural detox is a comfortable and positive alternative process for patients. While they are sitting with the IV for several hours each day under constant medical supervision, it is recommended they are provided a recliner, music, television and other entertainment.
Detoxing from addictive drugs is often associated with scary, traumatic experiences rivaling or besting the negative side effects with opiate use.
Detoxing doesn’t have to be an obstacle for lifelong recovery from drug abuse. Instead, it can be a safe and even relaxing first step to a physically and mentally healthy life.
Community Discussion – Share your thoughts here!
Have you benefited from a natural detox? What was your experience?
About the author:
Rachael Mattice is the Content Writer Team Lead for Sovereign Health Group, an addiction, mental health and dual diagnosis treatment provider. Rachael is a creative and versatile journalist and digital marketing specialist with an extensive writing and editing background.
Her portfolio includes numerous quality articles on various topics published in print and digital formats at award-winning publications and websites. To learn more about Sovereign Health Group’s mental health treatment programs and read patient reviews, visit http://www.sovhealth.com/.
The opinions and views of our guest contributors are shared to provide a broad perspective of addiction. These are not necessarily the views of Addiction Hope, but an effort to offer discussion of various issues by different concerned individuals.
Last Updated & Reviewed By: Jacquelyn Ekern, MS, LPC on February 12th, 2015
Published on AddictionHope.com