When should we go to a detox center?

A detoxification center is a socio-sanitary resource that allows subjects with some type of addiction to be able to be treated in a safe environment, receiving complete, professional and personalized.

The detoxification center gives the possibility of being constantly cared for and supported by a team multidisciplinary team of doctors, psychologists, nurses or any health professional that may require the patient. The purpose of attending these centers is to detox safely, so it is advisable to go as soon as possible to avoid serious consequences for physical and mental health.

In this article we will talk about what signs in the subject with addictive behavior indicate the need to go to a detoxification center.

• Related article: "The 14 most important types of addictions"

What do we mean by detox center?

A detox center is a facility that is used for the purpose of favor the speedy recovery of patients with some type of addiction.

In these places, a team of experts in the field of health (and accredited as such) take into account the particularities of each case and intervene both from medicine and from psychotherapy, giving solutions to extent. Sometimes the best option is to isolate the patient, that is, to separate him from his social environment in order to reduce the risk of using again and maintain more control of withdrawal and the sensation of craving or wish In other cases, an intervention focused on a more psychosocial or even community approach is recommended, emphasizing group activities.

Also, in these centers they can receive continuous care from a multidisciplinary team, made up of doctors, psychologists, nurses... The purpose is to carry out a treatment adjusted to the needs of each patient and to achieve their recovery and correct reintegration into the society.

• You may be interested: "Detoxification: what it is and how it is carried out in the body"

What signs indicate the need to go to a detoxification center?

There are indicators and behavioral changes that indicate the need to go to a detoxification center as soon as possible. detox centers they help not only to avoid negative consequences, such as overdose or suicide, but also allow to seek a better life for the individual through the process of detoxification and labor and social reintegration, allowing him to live in a functional way.

We should not wait until we are in advanced stages of addiction, because the more the disease progresses, the more resources and efforts are required to overcome it.

So let's see what signals or behaviors work as an alarm and indicator to go to a detoxification center. Are They can be classified mainly in alterations in behavior or physical. Of course, to seek help it is not necessary for a person to develop all these alterations.

behavioral alterations

It is common for the conduct and behavior of subjects with addiction to be altered, affecting their work, family or social life. It is essential to perceive these changes, detect them as soon as possible in order to act early and avoid more serious consequences.

1. Humor changes

The change in emotional state is indicative of the instability in which the patient is. He is in a situation of psychological and physical dependence, changing his mood depending on whether can or cannot get the drug or if you still feel the effects of the drug or are in a situation of abstinence.

There are different types of drugs that act differently on the nervous system, being able to activate it (such as cocaine), relax it (such as heroin) or distort it (such as hallucinogens). For this reason, depending on where the subject is, whether he is intoxicated or in withdrawal, the emotional reaction will be different.

• Related article: "Mood swings: what they are, and 9 tips to control them"

2. carry out criminal acts

Another behavior that we can observe is carrying out robberies, whether in the family, stealing money from their parents or partner with the purpose of being able to get more drugs or carry out the addictive behavior, or committing illegal acts such as robbing unknown people with the purpose of also from be able to pay for drugs.

3. Economic problems

The economic situation of the subject may be affected, having economic problems such as debts or difficulties to make ends meet. You may stop paying important things like the mortgage on the house, your children's school or even buy food, to be able to pay for the drug.

4. Tendency to lie frequently to maintain or increase the level of consumption

Resorting to lies is also a frequent behavior. The subject may try to hide the addictive behavior, avoiding showing lack of control of consumption behavior. He will deny having a drug problem and may say the typical "I'm in control" phrase when he is really over the situation. On many occasions there is a lack of recognition of the problem or disorder.

Likewise, we can also observe lies made with the purpose of benefiting oneself and getting something from other people. For example, asking for money from a family member claiming that he needs it to buy food when he will actually spend it on drugs. It is crucial to be aware of this type of behavior so that we are not deceived.

• You may be interested: "The 15 types of lies and their characteristics"

5. New friendships from the drug world

We can also observe that the person begins to move in a social group other than the one he used to hang out with. Stop going with old friends to start going with new people about whom we don't have much information, since it avoids explaining things about them.

These new social relationships, far from being beneficial and helping you get out of addiction, will reinforce drug use. For this reason, it is essential to perform isolation in detoxification centers so that you can break the link with people who are bad influences and be able to learn skills that allow you to develop more healthy.

6. non-compliance at work

As the addiction evolves, it worsens, the different areas of the subject's life are increasingly affected. Thus, it is common for the workplace to be altered and stop fulfilling their obligations at work, lowering their performance or not attending without giving explanations. If such a situation is not remedied, it can lead to the dismissal of the individual and job loss, thus leading to a worse situation for the subject.

• Related article: "Work stress: causes, and how to combat it"

7. change of routines

The addicted person can change his way of acting and the style or rhythm of his life. We can observe modification of his daily routine; everyday obligations are abandoned and in a relatively short time he begins to perform other behaviors or activities that he did not previously perform, like partying more or spending more time at the bar.

Changing routines leads to risky or maladaptive behaviors. That is, the change worsens the situation and affects the life of the individual.

8. Unexplained behavioral changes

In the same way that we mentioned sudden changes in mood, behavioral changes without a clear explanation are also characteristic. We see how the subject begins to act in a different way than usual, to go to places that he did not go before or perform actions that he did not do before, without there being an apparent explanation. What's more, with the purpose of hiding information from us, of knowing the real situation, he will not want and will avoid answering our questions about where he is going or why he is acting like this.

9. Lack of interest

Another behavioral indicator that can be a sign of problems with addictive behavior and the need to act and intervene as soon as possible is the loss of interest in other activities that you used to do or liked realize. There is no longer anything that motivates him, only the addictive behavior makes him get involved in something, all the actions that he performs are done with the purpose of obtaining the substance.

10. Continues to use despite the danger of the situation

A symptom that we can also perceive in people with substance addiction is the non-abandonment of the addictive behavior, can't quit, despite being aware of the damage it is causing in your life and how dangerous it is for both your mental and physical health. The subject sees the effects produced by the drug, but is not able to put an end to the addictive behavior.

• You may be interested: "Drug withdrawal syndrome: its types and symptoms"

physical alterations

In the same way that we can observe changes in behavior that indicate the presence of problems with drugs, we can also identify physical signs of the body's functioning that affect your health physical.

Depending on the type of drug, the physical signs that we can observe are different. Nervous system-stimulating drugs usually lead to a greater need for rest and sleep; dilated pupils; increased heart rate; loss of appetite or weight; increased motor activity, agitation... All these symptoms indicate that the subject shows intoxication linked to the drug. In contrast, drugs that depress the system usually lead to increased tiredness and drowsiness, decreased attention or pointed, smaller pupils.

Likewise, in both cases we see how there is a lack of self-care, with little or no personal hygiene, as well as that of their environment, the subject shows an image, a left appearance and an unhealthy state or appearance.

• Related article: "5 signs of poor mental health that you should not overlook"

Do you want to have professional advice on addictions?

In adictalia We advise and guide people with addictive disorders and their families so that they can find the center dedicated to the treatment of addictions that best suits your needs in the territory Spanish.

It is a very useful resource to know where to stand when dealing with this class of pathologies, and it can also be used free of charge; Once each individual case has been evaluated, recommendations will be offered so that each person and family can find the most appropriate option in the search for medical intervention and/or psychotherapeutic.