Things to Know About Drug and Alcohol Detoxification

Making a decision to seek treatment for addiction to drug or alcohol, and then sticking to it is very difficult. A great deal of courage and grit is required to accept the fact that one needs treatment for attaining sobriety. Detoxification, which helps remove the toxins from the body accumulated for years due to continuous drug and alcohol abuse, is the first step toward the recovery process.

However, many people have preconceived notions about detox that might be deceiving. One needs to understand that a successful recovery is a grim affair without detox. Listed below are some of the facts that an individual needs to know about the detoxification process:

• Drug and alcohol detox is the first part of the treatment process: Just by opting for a drug or alcohol detox does not make you sober. A comprehensive treatment follows detoxification that includes therapies, medications, counselling, and alternative treatments, etc. Detox helps to free the body of all the harmful toxins accumulated due to the prolonged abuse of a drug or alcohol and also helps manage difficult withdrawal symptoms.
• Detox must be completed before starting the next part of treatment: The body should be free of all the toxins before a comprehensive process of therapies and medications can be administered to a patient.
• Detox should be done under a medically controlled setting: Quitting the substance of abuse without any medical supervision can have adverse consequences. Detox must be carried out in a clinically controlled setting, under the supervision of medical professionals who are able to handle the painful withdrawal symptoms.
• Undergoing detox is not easy: The process of detox is not easy. The body will crave for the substance during the process and there will be withdrawal symptoms. However, doctors are well equipped to handle such situations and a focused mind can help a patient come out of the agony of drug abstinence.
• Detox length is not same for all: The detox length is not the same for all. It will depend on the severity of the condition, the type of drug or alcohol consumed, his/her ability to overcome the withdrawal symptoms or any other mental health condition, etc.
• Relapse after detox can increase dependence: One should try to avoid drugs after detox because relapse will only increase dependence on the drug. In fact, seeking detox treatment from clinically supervised treatment centers helps in relapse prevention and prepares the body for a holistic treatment.

Benefits of detox

Detox is the first and an indispensable part of the recovery process because it frees the mind and body of drug and alcohol dependence. As the body gets rid of the toxins, an individual regains control over his behaviour and the body slowly starts to heal from the acute exploitation by the drugs or alcohol. Patients regain their brain chemistries with their health getting back on track. The risks associated with drug or alcohol addiction start minimizing once the body is cleansed.

It is, however, true that detox is not the first and last step of a recovery process. It needs to be followed by proper therapies, medications and other alternative treatments, like yoga, meditation or exercise, which can help an individual thwart the ill effects of long-time drug or alcohol indulgence.

Health concerns related to Navratri fasting

Navratri, a nine night festival is celebrated in different ways across the country. Most of the believers fast for spiritual and physical cleansing and detoxification of the body. These fasts are seen to have several benefits but there are some related health risks as well.

People who are more prone to health risks due to Navratri include the following:

• Diabetics and the patients of hypertension
• People who have recently undergone any surgery
• Patients of bulimia or anorexia
• If you are anaemic
• Individuals with chronic health problems related to any of the vital organs such as heart, kidneys, lungs or liver
• A person with hyperglycaemia or any other blood sugar problems
• Pregnant women
• Lactating women

The typical foods of Navratri are of high calorie. For instance, fried potatoes, sabudana papad, kheer, sabudana ki tikki, pakodas are all fattening. Since the duration of Navratri is quite long there can be health risks due to navratri food. They may result in increasing weight and can even add to complications in people with problems such as diabetes and hypertension.

• Diabetics and the people with high blood sugar level must be very careful during Navratri. They must avoid both the overindulgence in festive food as well as fasting. If they wish to go for fasting then it is not advisable to take long breaks in fact they must take some food after short durations i.e. every few hours. By doing so the blood glucose levels doesn’t go up. The foods that can be consumed by diabetics during Navratri include kuttu (buckwheat), bottle gourd (lauki), pumkin (kaddu) and vegetables. Papaya, apples, citrus fruit, skimmed milk, berries, pears and almonds can be taken at regular intervals.
  
• The people with hypertension must keep check on the intake of salt in festive food.
  
• If you are more prone to acidity and heartburn problems you must avoid staying empty stomach for long hours. Take mini meals at regular interval. Banana, curd and cold skimmed milk can be taken as an effective antidote for countering acidity.

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Even though Navratri is time for indulging in variety of foods but it is advised to keep a health check. The person on fast on navratri must take healthy food that is rich in carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals and proteins.

Pregnant and breastfeeding ladies should refrain from observing fasts during navratri as they require constant supply of essential nutrition, vitamins, proteins, folic acid, and minerals. They need to keep track of their nutrition intake for the wellbeing of themselves and their babies. Fasting in pregnancy carries certain risks for the unborn baby such as abnormal breathing movements, low birth weight, and reduced gestational period. Fasting during pregnancy could increase a woman's risk for premature birth. Mothers who experience extreme nausea and vomiting during first trimester should not consider fasting. Talk to your doctor and get an overview of your health condition, if you are feeling obliged to fast. Let your health care provider give you a clean chit. Your obstetrician or gynaecologist is the person who knows your medical history and health conditions very well.