Millions of Americans struggle with addictions to alcohol and drugs. When people become addicted, it can be complicated for them to quit. The number of overdose deaths has dramatically increased since 1999. According to data from the National Institute on Drug Abuse, the number of people who died from overdoses in 1999 was 16,849. By contrast, 70,200 people died in overdoses in 2017.
If you are suffering from an addiction to alcohol, prescription drugs, or illegal drugs of any kind, recovery is possible. You may need to go through Safe and Sound Treatment’s drug detox facility before beginning your drug rehab journey. Instead of detoxing on your own, getting professional help during the process can make it easier to handle and can protect you from medical complications that can arise.
What is Detox?
Detoxification is a process through which toxins are removed from your body. It is used for people who are addicted to alcohol or drugs. While it is possible for some people to detox on their own, others may require a formal detox program. Detox is not a comprehensive treatment but is instead the first step of your rehab program. Detox treatment can help you become stable to have a better chance of remaining sober long term. Medical detox may be needed when you suffer from severe withdrawal symptoms and cravings, and Safe and Sound Treatment’s detox program provides this type of doctor-supervised and medically assisted gradual tapered approach to drug and alcohol detoxification when this type of detox is medically required as is with many cases.
Detox treatment is provided at rehab facilities through inpatient stays, or sometimes detox can be offered in a free-standing facility. We have found the greatest success for our clients when detox is part of the rehab process and is introduced by the same facility providing treatment following detox. The approach taken to help you detox will depend on the length of time you have been using drugs or alcohol, your substance of choice, and the scope and depth of your addiction.
Who Needs Drug Detox Before Drug Rehab?
Detoxification treatment is not necessary for every person who suffers from drug addiction. It is rarely required for people who abuse marijuana, cocaine, or nicotine. This is because the withdrawal symptoms of quitting these drugs are minimal, and the addiction is mostly psychological.
Detoxification is necessary for drugs that cause physical addiction. These types of drugs cause your body to rely on them and include the following:
- Opiates such as morphine, fentanyl, oxycodone, hydrocodone, and heroin
- Benzodiazepines
- Alcohol
With these drugs, the withdrawal symptoms may be very severe and could potentially result in death if you attempt to detox from them independently.
How Does Drug and Alcohol Detox Work?
There are a number of interventions that are provided by formal detox programs. They can help you to rid your body of the substance safely and comfortably. It can also help you to manage your acute withdrawal symptoms and encourage you to remain sober and to continue ongoing treatment.
There are two types of detox treatment, including medically supervised detox and clinically managed detox, and Safe and Sound Treatment offers both types of detox. Medically supervised detox is completed while you are under the care of mental health and medical professionals. It increases your safety and levels of comfort when you are experiencing painful symptoms. Medically supervised detox may help with any medical complications that might arise.
Clinically managed detox is a non-medical approach that is used for people who want to stop abusing substances. The right approach for you will depend on your level of physical addiction, the substance that you are abusing, and your own need to use medically supervised detox.
Stages of Drug and Alcohol Detox
There are three stages of detox, including an evaluation, stabilization, and helping you to want further treatment. During the evaluation, you will be tested for alcohol and drugs. Your mental state will also be assessed, and the staff will ask you about your medical history. This helps them determine the most appropriate approach for your detox treatment and assists in building your individual treatment plan.
The stabilization process will make up most of your detox treatment. You will be acclimated to the process and may be provided with medical and psychological care to treat your symptoms.
Staff will begin to encourage you to seek further treatment during the detox process. This is because getting rehab treatment can increase the likelihood that you will enjoy a lasting long-term recovery from your addiction.
What are the Benefits of Medically Supervised Detox?
Medically supervised detox can safely help you to ease severe withdrawal symptoms. Withdrawing from alcohol and other drugs that are physically addicting can be life-threatening. Medically-controlled detox helps to remove the substances from your body while helping you to remain safe.
This type of detox will use replacement medications to protect your system from the drug’s effects or simulate their effects. Your dose of replacement medications will be lowered during the process so that you can wean off of them with less pain.
What are the Signs and Symptoms of Withdrawal?
If you have a strong physical addiction to alcohol or drugs, you may feel psychologically ready to quit. However, you may not be able to handle the painful symptoms without help. Some of the symptoms of withdrawal include the following:
- Pain
- Nausea
- Headaches
- Diarrhea
- Increased blood pressure
- Insomnia
- Depression
- Seizures
- Vomiting
- Profuse sweating
- Dehydration
- Delirium Tremens
Your withdrawal symptoms may begin as early as eight hours after you last use the drug. They can last from three days up to two weeks. In addition to these symptoms, you can also expect to experience high craving levels, which makes it difficult to avoid relapsing.
Get the Help you Need Today with Safe and Sound Treatment’s Drug Detox
Attempting to detox on your own can be extremely painful. Safe and Sound Treatment is here to help make it easier for you to remain abstinent. Attending Drug and Alcohol detox at Safe and Sound Treatment in Huntington Beach, CA, can help you manage any medical complications that may arise and encourage you to stick with your sobriety long term.
If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction and is ready to safely break the habit, contact Safe and Sound Treatment today at (949) 408-3711.
