Any addict or alcoholic will tell you the scariest thing before getting clean and sober is not having a fast detox. They know it is a prolonged and really unpleasant experience, and it keeps many addicts and alcoholics from finding the help they need.
Some places claim to have solutions to the rapid detox problem, but is there anything to back it up?
Sort of, but not really.
While modern vernacular often refers to “toxins” and “cleansing,” there are fundamental biological mechanisms that occur. Like any machine, there is only so much that can be asked of it in a given timeframe.
Also like many machines, the body has filters. The liver, spleen, and kidneys serve in this capacity. Overload a filter, and it becomes ineffective. If proper time is not allowed for repairs, it is likely to get damaged.
For this reason, many seeking a fast detox are disappointed. Most people do not come into recovery on a whim. It is usually caused by a major shift in living circumstances. For those who come in because of ill health, the idea that a fast detox will mean a faster recovery just is not true. That said, part of rectifying the damage is not causing more damage. Even then, repairs do not happen overnight.
For those looking to just get through the experience as quickly as possible to avoid the admittedly real discomfort, there is little benefit either. Sure, that one detox may be faster, but it is also a lot more dangerous and less likely to aid in long-term recovery. Further, addiction recovery does not end at the detox phase—that is just the beginning.
The whole point of going through a fast detox program is to avoid having to go through the misery. That misery, though, can help in achieving long-term clean time and sobriety. Those who go through fast detox programs tend to relapse both more frequently and in a shorter amount of time.
So, the question then becomes, “What is better: a few days of misery with a greater chance of never having to endure detox again; or a more dangerous detox with less chance of succeeding over the long-haul, which might make return trips for similar detoxes likely—assuming one survives long enough to have subsequent chances?”
In addiction recovery, there is no silver bullet that puts the demon down for good and for sure. However, there are things that have been done in the past that seem to have a higher chance of success than others. There are also those methods that are less likely to succeed. Because of that, and a commitment to giving our clients the best shot at long-term recovery possible, we do not recommend the fast detox or rapid detox. We feel it is a disservice to those who come to us looking for help, rather than a quick patch-up so they can go back out into the same circumstances that lead them to drugs and alcohol in the first place.
Addiction recovery is a way of life—not a hurdle to overcome.
Fast Detox: Thoughts?
So what are your thoughts on fast detox programs? Let us know in the comments!x