It can be tempting to think that all it takes to cleanse the body of drugs and alcohol are a couple of little pills. Detox pills and other detox products are sold over-the-counter in pharmacies, other shops, and online. Even though they claim to detoxify the body, these products only encourage the body to flush itself out. The process of detoxing from drugs or alcohol is far more complex than simply urinating until they are gone. In order to detox from drugs or alcohol, the body has to go through the process of withdrawal. Unfortunately, you cannot go through this process using a drink or a couple of pills. It is often necessary to find a drug detox program, like the one we offer at Liberty Health Services.
What Happens When You Take Detox Pills?
Most over-the-counter detox pills or drinks that claim to flush the system of drugs or alcohol fall into one of two categories. The first category contains diuretics, sometimes called water pills, that encourage the body to eliminate excess water from the system. These detoxes dilute the urine, which is why some people use them to help them pass drug screenings. Diuretic-based detoxes do not actually remove drugs or alcohol from the system. Instead, they only decrease the chances of a drug test detecting them in the urine.
The second category of detox pills or drinks is the ones that contain vitamins and supplements. These don’t have any ingredients that will have an immediate effect on the body’s processes. Some people take these types of detoxes for health reasons, but they do not affect the presence or absence of drugs or alcohol in the body. They claim to remove toxins from the system, but the body’s own processes are usually well capable of removing harmful or excess substances on their own.
Why Aren’t These Pills and Drinks Effective for Drug and Alcohol Detox?
When experts refer to detox for drugs and alcohol, what they are really speaking of is the process of physical withdrawal. The body will remove the drugs and alcohol on its own through natural processes that allow it to excrete foreign substances. Detox pills and drinks merely speed up and increase those processes. However, that isn’t the end of the process. After using drugs or alcohol for an extended period of time, the body becomes dependent on it. This condition indicates that you have developed an addiction to the substance. The body gets used to the substance being present in the system and starts making changes to account for that. Then, when the drug or alcohol is no longer present in the body, the body no longer functions as it should. The body then exhibits symptoms of withdrawal.
Some symptoms of withdrawal are:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Anxiety and irritability
- Muscle aches
- Shaking or tremors
- Insomnia
Detox pills and drinks are not effective at preventing withdrawal, nor are they helpful with the psychological aspect of withdrawal. Addiction is a disease, not only of the body but also of the mind. To stop using drugs or drinking and maintain recovery in the future, they need to address both parts of the addiction.
Begin Detox at Liberty Health Services
If you or a loved one are struggling with drugs or alcohol, the best solution is to reach out to a medical detox center near you. At a medical detox center, care staff will monitor you, ensuring your safety and making you as comfortable as possible during the physical withdrawal process.
If you are near Nashua, New Hampshire, contact the caring and professional staff at Liberty Health Services at 855.959.4521. Let us show you the way to recovery at our premier luxury facility. Recovery is possible with the right help and support.
