Withdrawal can involve a variety of distressing physical and psychological symptoms. Are there ways to reduce the intensity or duration of this experience? For example, does a sauna help with drug and alcohol detox?
If you or a loved one are struggling with substance abuse and need a safe place to detox, call us today or verify your insurance online to take the first step toward recovery
What Happens During Detox?
When you become addicted to alcohol or another drug, the continued presence of the substance in your system will cause your body to undergo certain changes. Frequently, this involves artificially inflated levels of mood-related neurotransmitters such as serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine.
When you abruptly stop using the substance, its sudden absence can cause your body to struggle to reestablish equilibrium. During this period, you may develop a variety of unpleasant symptoms. This experience is often referred to as detox or withdrawal.
Several factors, such as the nature and severity of your symptoms, can influence your experience.
- Which drug or drugs you have become addicted to
- How long you have been addicted
- The amount and frequency of your substance use
- The presence of any co-occurring medical or mental health concerns
Detox is typically a short-term process, with most acute symptoms usually subsiding within a week or two. But when you’re going through it on your own, it can feel like it might never end. To speed the process along or at least ease your symptoms, you might wonder, does a sauna help with drug and alcohol detox?
Does a Sauna Help With Drug and Alcohol Detox?
We’ve asked this question a few times in this post, and now it’s time to answer it.
Does a sauna help with drug and alcohol detox? Not really, but there could be a small benefit.
First, let’s address the “not really” part of that answer:
Though saunas can be refreshing at the end of a long workout, or a source of comfort if you’ve been dealing with various aches and pains, there’s no research to support claims that they can help with detox.
When you ingest alcohol or drugs, your liver and kidneys break them down and eliminate them from your system. Contrary to what you might see on TV or in movies, a cold shower, hot coffee, or sauna won’t speed up this process.
In other words, if you were hoping to have an easier time in detox by sweating the drugs away, you may want to revise your expectations.
Now let’s talk about the potential “small benefit” of saunas during detox:
As we noted earlier, saunas can ease some types of physical pain, such as muscle tension. And some people use sauna sessions as an opportunity to clear their mind and boost their mood.
From a stress management or healthy mindset perspective, a sauna is one of many services that can be helpful during and after detox. Other activities that offer similar benefits include yoga, massage, acupuncture, and meditation.
Each of these options can help you stay positive and focused. But none of them – including saunas – will have a meaningful impact on the withdrawal process itself.
Benefits of Medical Detox Programs
Asking the question, “does a sauna help with drug and alcohol detox?” indicates that you’re concerned about the potential severity of withdrawal symptoms, and you’re looking for options that will help you get through the process as safely and comfortably as possible.
One of the best ways to safeguard your health and minimize your distress while you’re withdrawing from addictive substances is to complete the process in a medical detox program. The Retreat of Atlanta offers comprehensive detox services that prioritize your comfort and well-being, making it an excellent choice for your recovery journey.
The Benefits Of Medical Detox Include:
- You will be in a safe, closely supervised environment where you won’t have access to alcohol or other addictive drugs. If you try to get through withdrawal at home, the severity of your symptoms might push you back in to active substance use again. In detox, you won’t be able to act on that temptation.
- Professionals who are familiar with all aspects of the withdrawal process will care for you.Depending on the drug you’re withdrawing from, your treatment team may provide medications to ease cravings and other symptoms. If your symptoms become life-threatening, especially with severe alcoholism, they will be prepared to keep you safe.
- You may also participate in therapy while you’re still in detox. Therapy sessions can help you manage any discomfort that isn’t alleviated with medication. Therapy can also help you begin to build a foundation for long-term recovery. Addressing the behavioral and social aspects of addiction during detox can give you a head start on the progress you’ll make in the next phase of your treatment.
- Speaking of the next phase of your treatment, your detox team can help you determine which type of follow-on program is best for you. Transferring directly into a residential or outpatient treatment program once you’ve completed detox can reduce your risk of immediate relapse and help you gain a solid foothold in early recovery.
Learn More About Your Detox Options in Atlanta
The Retreat of Atlanta is a trusted provider of personalized medical detox services for adults who have become addicted to alcohol, opioids, and other substances.
When you choose our detox near Atlanta, Georgia, you can benefit from services such as medication-assisted treatment (MAT), dual diagnosis programming to address co-occurring mental health concerns, and multiple forms of therapy. Every step of the way, you’ll be cared for by a team of dedicated professionals who truly care about you, and who will treat you with the respect that you deserve.
To learn more about how we can help you or a loved one, or to schedule a free assessment, please visit our Admissions page or call us today.