Over twenty million Americans are in recovery from addiction. And, that’s not even counting all the people who are trying to cut down on their alcohol and drug use, or who haven’t committed to recovery yet.
Whether you’re trying to get entirely clean or just cut back, you might be wondering what your options are.
Read on to find out about the difference between cleansing vs detox.
What Is Cleansing?
Cleansing is the act of giving up drugs and/or alcohol for a set period of time. Many people who are not struggling with addiction try this, for a month-long period such as Sober October or Dry January. It’s a good way for people without addictions to create better relationships with drugs and/or alcohol.
It’s also something to experiment with if you suspect you may have a problem. If you simply cannot go for the period of time you’ve given yourself, you may have at least formed a psychological addiction.
Try and start off with a shorter period of time, and work your way up. If you still don’t have any success, you might want to think about looking into a professional assessment to see if you have a bigger problem than you think you do.
What Is Detox?
Detox is usually a medically-aided process where people with a chemical addiction remove problematic substances from their bodies. At the start of an inpatient rehabilitation stay, people often go through detox to set themselves up for their ongoing recovery journey.
Detox needs to be carefully monitored by medical professionals since rapidly detoxing can have severe impacts on your body.
You may struggle with withdrawal during detox. This is more likely if you’ve been living with your addiction for a long time. Medical professionals can take measures to make withdrawal somewhat easier on your body, but it still won’t be a fun time for the person going through it. You can read a detox guide to find out what to expect
The detox process can take different amounts of time, depending on the drugs you’re detoxing from. Age and medical history can affect the process, along with how long the addiction has been going on.
Different treatment options can help you out with the detox process. Some treatment centers may offer a new residential location.
Some people choose to go through the detox process in the privacy of their homes. This isn’t recommended in most situations. It’s not safe to go through this process unsupervised, and doctors can ensure that you get the treatment you need to stay as healthy as possible.
This can also ensure that you get the help and support that you’ll need to stay on the path to sobriety once you detox. You don’t want to go through the painful process of detoxing only to fall back into old habits.
Cleansing vs Detox: Now You Know
Now that you’re aware of the differences between cleansing vs detox, you can choose what’s right for you.
Do you want more tips on lifestyle topics and so much more? Read through some of our other relevant posts.
