In order to recover from an addiction to drugs and/or alcohol, detoxification must occur. In fact, the detoxification process may be the most essential aspect of recovery. The support and medical supervision an individual receives during his detoxification process can actually determine the outcome of his recovery. The unique approach that Freedom Center uses makes them the ideal destination for rehabilitation.

What is Detoxification (Detox)?

The process of eliminating the toxins in the body from previous alcohol and drug abuse is called detox. The detox process is the first effort an individual makes to become sober. The physical and mental strain of the detoxification process puts him in the most dangerous place for relapse. Relapse is not the only concern there is also the potential for him to suffer seizures, hallucinations, the shakes and sweats. These withdrawal symptoms are commonly seen during detoxification process from drugs and alcohol. A conventional detoxification process differs greatly from the more natural process offered at Freedom Center.

Conventional Detox

The majority of rehabilitation centers offer their patients a supervised detox that includes licensed medical personnel helping the patients safely through this process. However, in nearly all the cases, this is done with the use of prescription drugs. The prescription drugs are utilized to assist the patient while he undergoes the detoxification process. These drugs are used to decrease his withdrawal symptoms. However, Freedom Center believes in a more natural approach.
Narconon’s Approach to Detox

Substitute drugs are not utilized at Narconon, instead patients rid themselves of the toxins left in their bodies with the use of nutritional supplements, exercise and sauna detoxification.

The Process of Addiction

When an individual takes drugs or drinks alcohol, these substances travel to his brain. They actually substitute some of the reward systems neurotransmitters within the brain. Some of the neurotransmitters they substitute include dopamine, serotonin, endorphins and GABA. Yet, his body still recognizes these drugs are toxic and will attempt to eliminate them.

The liver is responsible for breaking down the drugs and alcohol in the body. It does this through the metabolization process. This process converts the alcohol and drugs into what are called ‘metabolites.’

Fat Tissues Trap Metabolites

Although the addict’s body attempts to remove these metabolites rapidly, they become trapped in the fatty tissues within the addict’s body. It is important to note, there are various kinds of tissues that have a high fat content. The problem is that these residues remain in the fat tissues for years.

Tissues with High Fat Content Have a Slow Turnover Rate

The body metabolizes and then burns fat each time a person’s heart rate increases. This can occur due to stress, anger, strenuous exercise or intense emotion. People generally experience these kinds of things regularly.
How the Metabolites Trigger Relapse

When an addict’s heart rate increases, the body will begin mobilizing and then burn fat. This fat contains the metabolites that have been stored from the addict’s previous drug and alcohol abuse. While these fat cells are burning, they release the toxic metabolites back into his bloodstream.

These metabolites pass, via the bloodstream, to the brain. Because these metabolites are by-products of drugs and alcohol, they are also capable of substituting for the brain’s natural chemicals. A mental and physical reminder of the alcohol or drug consumption is caused by these metabolites.

In summary, upon release into the bloodstream, metabolites reactivate brain centers associated with an addict’s previous drug or alcohol consumption. The addict now experiences, what is referred to as, a drug re-stimulation or flashback. The addict begins craving the drug or alcohol again. This is a common occurrence in the months following recovery and unfortunately, it may continue for several years.

Safely Releasing Drug & Alcohol Metabolites

Metabolites can be flushed from the body, using nutritional supplements, exercise and induced sweating within a sauna.

The release of these metabolites causes:

An elimination  in the cravings for drugs and alcohol, as well as, the symptoms associated with these conditions:

• Increased energy with improved attention span and memory capability.
• An increased sense of well-being along with Increased Mental Ability (IQ).
• A renewed passion for life.

Saunas Have Been Used to Detoxify for Many Years

Saunas have been used, as a process to eliminate toxins, by the Native American and Scandinavian cultures for many years. The accelerated perspiration, caused by the sauna, rids the body of toxins. Eliminating these toxins increases health, enhancing an individual’s well being.

Therapeutic Sauna Treatment Helps the Body Expel Metabolites

The urine and sweat tests performed on individuals during their first few days of recovery show that minimal levels of these drug metabolites are excreted. However, following these first few days, these levels increase dramatically. This evidence proves that sauna therapy helps the body excrete these toxic metabolites.
An Overview of the Detoxification Procedure Using Saunas

Generally, patients will undergo intensive sauna detoxifications over a period of about a month. A typical daily sauna routine will involve a short period of exercises that are designed to increase the patient’s heart rate and blood flow to the skin. This will induce sweating. Directly thereafter, he will spend several hours in a temperate dry sauna. Because the sauna is at a comfortable heat level, patients can safely remain in the sauna for as long as three hours.

Sauna drug treatment therapy will induce vigorous perspiration. This means that the patient must drink replacement fluids during this kind of therapy, to avoid dehydration. Also, small amounts of the essential vitamins and nutrients the body needs are released during perspiration. For this reason, saunas are used in conjunction with vitamin and mineral supplements. These supplements target the patient’s nutritional health, replacing the minerals and vitamins lost due to sweating, as well as, increasing blood flow to induce heavier perspiration, eliminating the metabolites even faster.

Medical personnel evaluate each patient on a daily basis. The patient’s body weight and vital signs will be recorded. This ensures each patient’s safety.

It Can Take Time

Detoxification with saunas only takes about a month. At that point, nearly all the metabolites are removed. The patient is now ready to start participating in the drug rehabilitation and drug education programs. Clients will be given a complete examination by the staff physician. This includes blood work and lab tests. This examination is to ensure that the client can still achieve optimum health for his mind and body.

After completion of this non-traditional drug rehab treatment program, the individual will be ready to handle his life issues. The addict must regain his natural abilities to stay sober and remain productive. Desiring to defeat an addiction to drugs and alcohol without assistance is admirable. However, it may not be practical in every case. Undergoing a detoxification program gives this person a much higher chance of a successful recovery. It also ensures that they recover in an extremely healthy way.
Seek Assistance Today

Let Freedom Drug Rehab Help Today

Addiction to drugs and alcohol are difficult to eliminate without seeking the proper treatment. Addicts, who are left to their own devices, will have to struggle with a battle of wills in order to avoid substance abuse. Regrettably, the substance generally wins.

If you or someone you love is in need of assistance to discontinue his drug or alcohol use, please contact us at freedomdrugrehab.com today.