Drug addiction affects people in many ways. It may harm their personal lives, destroy their careers, break up their families, and cause emotional pain. These potential consequences occur only to some people. However, physical dependence occurs to everyone who becomes addicted to a substance. Whether it’s opioids, meth, heroin, or alcohol, physical dependence is the reality many don’t want to face. What is physical dependence, you may wonder? At Tides Edge Detox, our team of experienced medical professionals, counselors, and therapists believe one of the keys to healing from the disease of addiction is knowledge. We can help you understand the complex nature of addiction or physical dependence so you or a loved one can get the support necessary to heal and recover.
What Is Physical Dependence?
Although you may not have had to define it before, you probably already know the answer to physical dependence? If you are dealing with drug addiction, you may have recognized that you struggle with uncomfortable symptoms when you attempt to quit. This is common and to be expected. What you are dealing with is the result of physical dependence. Dependency arises when drugs or alcohol alter brain chemistry causing the body to become dependent upon the substances to function normally. This can involve releasing endorphins and pain management and even regulation of certain bodily processes like respiration. The drugs or alcohol become necessary to prompt the brain into creating or releasing the proper chemicals or signals. Without the substance, individuals experience discomfort and pain as the brain attempts to re-adjust.
Signs vary from drug to drug. Some of the signs include:
- Yawning
- Excessive mucus or runny nose
- Flu-like symptoms
- Headache
- Bodily aches and pains
- Seizures
As stated above, you may not experience all of these symptoms. For example, seizures and unconsciousness only occur with certain types of drugs or alcohol.
What To Do When Dealing With Physical Dependence?
Another question people have when wondering — what is physical dependence, is what do I do if I have it? This is critical to your well-being. The most important thing for your healing is to get through the physical withdrawals. When someone has developed a tolerance to drugs or alcohol, quitting can be difficult. While there are certainly psychological reasons why addiction has such a stronghold on an individual, the physical side of addiction is often the most real for people. Depending on how often an individual uses and the substance’s potency, withdrawal symptoms will vary in intensity. However, they will always be uncomfortable, if not painful. Thus, it’s unlikely anyone can endure and overcome physical dependence alone. Once you get over this part of it, you’ll be well on your way to a fulfilled life.
Through detox, you can heal from physical dependence without the pain of withdrawal. At Tides Edge Detox, we offer numerous programs, such as:
- Executive detox: This unique program caters to the specific needs and challenges facing business professionals and executives who need support to heal and face different triggers than others in different fields of work.
- Holistic detox: Using treatments to address not just the physical symptoms of addiction but the mental aspects as well, holistic detox is guided by the belief that healing involves the whole person, their body, and mind.
- Inpatient detox: Residential detox creates a safe, secure environment where individuals are monitored 24/7 as they detox to ensure any immediate complications are immediately addressed.
- Medical detox: This program uses medication-assisted treatments like methadone and Suboxone to help individuals address withdrawal and manage cravings.
- Gender-specific detox: For those who would prefer it, we offer gender-specific detox for men and women.
Trained professionals will guide you through the process at a detox facility and ensure you are feeling comfortable.
Find Help At Tides Edge
If you know that physical dependence is something you would likely face if you tried quitting a substance, then Tides Edge is ready to help you with detox. You need evidence-based techniques and methods to get you through the rough patches. That’s what our accredited facility is designed to do.
Additionally, our compassionate staff is familiar with handling all types of drug addictions. They understand the unique withdrawal symptoms of each type of drug and will provide the comfort you need to make it. You can put your trust in our capable medical team. Some of our treatment programs include:
Don’t wait another day to seek peace and happiness. Now that you know — what physical dependence is, take the first step for your recovery by reaching out to Tides Edge. Contact us at 866.723.3127, or contact us online and we’ll get you on the road to recovery.
