There are many different drugs that can cause side effects while they are used and during the withdrawal process. Once someone has an addiction, quitting can cause side effects. Drug side effects can be potentially dangerous, so it is important to go through detox at a professional treatment center.
Are Drug Side Effects Dangerous?
Drug side effects can vary, but many common drugs can cause unwanted symptoms. Opiates can cause side effects in the short term and long term. When someone is using opiates like heroin or morphine, they may experience respiratory depression, nausea, drowsiness or paranoia.
Respiratory depression is an extremely dangerous symptom. It means that the body is not getting enough oxygen to support itself. Left untreated, this side effect can be deadly. Long-term effects of opiates include life-threatening symptoms like brain damage and liver damage.
Legal Drugs Are Life-Threatening As Well
Alcohol is the most commonly abused legal drug. While it may be legal, it can lead to severe side effects. Within the first day of quitting, patients can develop alcohol withdrawal symptoms like delirium tremens, seizures, and irregular heartbeat.
Unfortunately, all of these drug side effects can cause potentially dangerous complications. Delirium tremens cause symptoms like a rapid heartbeat, confusion and a fever. Up to 5 percent of patients who do not get professional treatment for delirium tremens may die from them. Irregular heartbeat and seizures can also be potentially deadly.
Getting Medical Support for Drug Side Effects
Because of the many dangerous symptoms associated with withdrawal, it is important to get professional treatment. At a treatment center, patients can get help managing withdrawal symptoms. They can also get recovery help with options such as:
- Community integration
- Sober living arrangements
- Individual therapy
- Cognitive behavioral therapy
- Family sessions
- Outpatient planning
Which Rehab Is Right for Me?
Every patient is different, so it is important to find a treatment center that offers exactly what you need to recovery. Patients who have had a hard time quitting before can get the compassionate support they need through a partial hospitalization program (PHP). At Steps to Recovery, the 30 to 45-day partial hospitalization program includes programs such as:
- Treatment on six days a week
- Five hours of therapy each day
- Two individual therapy sessions every week
- Community integration
- Structured housing support
- Support for co-occurring mental disorders
With the right customized, flexible program, patients can get the treatment they need to recover. An addiction specialist can help determine the right course of addiction treatment and therapy options. To find out how you or a loved one can start the recovery process, call Steps to Recovery today at 267.719.8528.
