DRUG AND ALCOHOL DETOX
When a person is in the throes of addiction, it is challenging for them to get sober. That is the reason your loved one needs to enroll in an effective detox program. Contact us to learn more about our Costa Mesa detox.
About Detox
The main goal of a detox center is to effectively and safely remove all of the toxins from a person’s body.
While undergoing detox, most addicts experience physical and emotional withdrawals. After a long-term addiction, it takes time for the human body to get used to functioning without substance abuse. As the body recalibrates itself, an individual can experience a wide range of withdrawal symptoms.
The intense clinical care from a drug detox center can address all of the physical and emotional issues that arise during detox.
When the body is eliminating toxins, it can cause a number of medical issues which makes a supervised medical detox very important.
COMMON DETOX QUESTIONS
A large percentage of individuals who enter detox programs have an alcohol problem. During detox, alcohol users might experience anxiety, insomnia, diarrhea, sweating, headache, and nausea. Alcohol is one of the only substances capable of causing death during detox. Inside many detox centers, calming medications are given to individuals undergoing alcohol detox.
People who don’t seek help from a professional detox center are at a much greater risk of relapsing. They’re also much more likely to suffer extreme withdrawals and side effects.
Detox offers individualized treatment, current withdrawal protocols, comforting medications, constant supervision and trained medical personnel. The amount of time required for detox is different for each individual.
The Importance of the Detoxification Process
The process of receiving treatment for most addictions starts with detoxification, commonly referred to as detox. Often seen as interchangeable, the terms “detox” and “withdrawal” refer to two very different phases of addiction recovery. While withdrawal is the process of getting the body used to not having a regular supply of drugs or alcohol, detox is the process of clearing toxins out of the body’s tissues to eliminate the craving for the addictive substance. Most treatment programs start with the detox process first, which is soon followed by the physical symptoms of withdrawal.
How the Detox Process Works
It’s important to realize that the detoxification process, while a crucial step towards recovery, is only the beginning of what is usually a comprehensive program designed to deal with the many issues that likely contributed to the addiction in the first place.
The First 24 Hours
The first 24 hours is hugely critical during detoxification. During this period, an addict typically requires ongoing supervision, especially when withdrawal symptoms start to appear. The detox process generally includes:
- A complete physical (to identify any related medical issues)
- Blood tests (to determine the level of substances in the system)
- Medications to ease the symptoms of withdrawal
- Periodical medical evaluations
Length of the Detox Process
The detoxification process, whether it’s on an inpatient or outpatient basis, generally last as long as the withdrawal symptoms persist. However, the process varies from person to person, depending on factors such as the length of time that the addiction has been taking place without intervention and the level of tolerance that has built up over time. Individuals who relapse following detox and initial recovery efforts may develop a tolerance, especially if they already experienced withdrawal symptoms during the first effort, that may require a longer detox process during the next attempt at treatment.
Why the Detox Process Shouldn’t Be Skipped
There is no quick fix when it comes to overcoming addiction. Addicts seeking recovery without going through the detox process first are pretty much setting themselves up for failure since the substance(s) that caused the addiction is still in their system. This is one of the reasons why the so-called “cold turkey” method, when an addict tries to quit their particular addiction on their own, is rarely successful, especially for more serious addictions.
Differences Between Detox and Rehab
Some inpatient programs require patients to have completed the detoxification process first before entering a rehab program since severely addicted individuals sometimes fail to complete the initial process due to the difficulty of withdrawal and detox. This doesn’t mean that a patient has to go it alone. There are inpatient programs that focus solely on the detox and withdrawal process, providing necessary medical supervision. There are also programs that address every recovery stage.
Privacy During Detoxification
Many inpatient programs that include the detox process as part of their treatment plan make every effort to protect a patient’s privacy. After detox is completed in privacy, treatment often involves group therapy to deal with issues common to many addicts and to provide an added level of support from individuals going through the same process.
Why Inpatient Treatment Is Recommended for Detox
While medications can treat some of the more severe symptoms of withdrawal, most successful addiction programs also include the detoxification process to reduce the odds of relapse due to an ongoing craving for the addictive substance, whether it be drugs, alcohol or a combination of both. Due to the physical and emotional aspects of detox, inpatient treatment programs tend to offer more support to help addicts get through this process. Even when inpatient detox isn’t deemed necessary, there are certain advantages of going through the detox process while in an inpatient program, including:
- Providing immediate access to medical and emotional support
- Ensuring patients do not have access to addictive substances
- Carefully controlling the recovery process
- Keeping patients away from unstable environments and enablers
Patients tend to do better during the detox and subsequent recovery process if they are told what they can expect and reminded of the support they will have when going through that process. Recovery from addiction isn’t easy. However, individuals struggling with addiction can take comfort in knowing that the process becomes less challenging when all traces of the addictive substances are removed, allowing for meaningful recovery.
