Drug And Alcohol Detox: The First Step To Sobriety

drug detox

It is important to note that this is NOT addiction treatment in and of itself. Completing the detox process means you have overcome your physical dependence on drugs—not your psychological dependence. In some cases, you may need to stay longer in an inpatient treatment program to get appropriate care. Even after the physical withdrawal symptoms stop, you might still feel anxious or down. That’s why ongoing treatment is important to help you manage these emotions and avoid going back to using the substance again. Rapid detox is a method of removing substances from a user’s system faster than regular detox.

  • They might despair that they will ever be free of their addiction or feel an overwhelming urge to run away.
  • Similarly, at-home detox doesn’t lead to a clear path for a full continuum of addiction treatment.
  • Over half of Americans aged 12 and older are considered current alcohol users, classified as drinking within the past month, and 15 million people experience alcohol use disorder (AUD).
  • Withdrawal from different categories of drugs — such as depressants, stimulants or opioids — produces different side effects and requires different approaches.
  • Therefore, it’s a good idea to consult with a physician before quitting any drug cold-turkey.

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  • With these changes came more humane treatment of people with addictions.
  • Support is available for friends and family members through organizations such as Al-Anon and Nar-Anon.
  • Social detoxification, which is a non-medical type of detox program, involves the individual stopping the use of the drugs entirely—essentially going “cold turkey” while under the care of treatment professionals.
  • Learn more about substance use and withdrawal, symptoms, treatment, how to cope, and how to help someone going through withdrawal.

Individuals seeking addiction treatment need to treat the psychological part of their addiction. They can accomplish this with counseling, support groups, or an inpatient rehab program. https://ecosoberhouse.com/ Some people who don’t require a lot of supervision might simply check in with their regular doctor’s office or a home health agency at scheduled intervals during their detox.

Medicine as part of treatment

Over the years, medical professionals have worked diligently to offer innovative detox options. A medically supervised detox is considered the safest and most effective approach. It gives the medical care and support needed to navigate withdrawal successfully and transition into further addiction treatment.

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drug detox

If you are going through the detox process or are planning to, you may want to consider contacting a doctor for a medically supported detox with a trained professional. If you have a longer history of substance use, the detox process can potentially be very harmful if you detox too quickly or the withdrawal symptoms become too severe. This is known as the withdrawal and detoxification process, commonly called “detox.“ During this time, your body starts to rid itself of the toxins that have built up in your system over the course of using substances. If you are heavily addicted to any of the above substances and try to stop cold turkey, you may experience uncomfortable and dangerous withdrawal symptoms, such as rapid heart rate, hallucinations, and seizures.

Overview, Essential Concepts, and Definitions in Detoxification

drug detox

A 2011 study found that combining an effective detox program with quality outpatient treatments could lead to significantly improved outcomes for some participants. Your body can become used to having substances present in your system and may react strongly or cause you to feel pain when they are removed. If mood changes are severe, last longer than other withdrawal symptoms, or include thoughts of harming yourself or suicide, get drug detox help immediately. Contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 (or have someone do it for you) for support and assistance from a trained counselor. The duration of your withdrawal symptoms depends on the substance you used, along with the length and intensity of your addiction—typically, just a few days, but weeks or months in some cases. Fatigue is also a common symptom of depression and an after-effect of anxiety.

drug detox

drug detox

In some cases, individuals with substance dependency are hospitalized for other health issues and may require hospital-based detoxification even if they weren’t seeking substance addiction therapy. Medical drug detox can be done in inpatient facilities and is mainly limited to those with severe drug addictions. Addiction disorders vary based on the drug used, how long it is used, and a person’s past medical history.

Detox treatment options

drug detox

Many people in recovery also find support groups to be a helpful resource to lean on. Support groups are available for addiction and even for addiction to specific substances such as alcohol, heroin, cocaine, and marijuana. Additionally, there are things that can be done at home to help alleviate symptoms of withdrawal, such as eating a healthy, well-balanced diet.

  • For example, in patients with alcohol dependence already suffering the most extreme forms of withdrawal, which are seizures and/or delirium, the administration of the medication should be carried out as soon as possible.
  • It may also be beneficial to create a support system of loved ones you trust to help you with your treatment plan.
  • Our goal is to help clients in the most effective and compassionate way possible.
  • Once drug detoxification is complete, clients can and should move on to residential care or a partial hospitalization program.
  • One of the best ways to break that cycle for good is through treatment.
  • It is unusual in a clinical treatment improvement protocol to discuss issues related to how clinical services are reimbursed.

Others may need admission to a hospital or a residential treatment center. Substance addiction and withdrawal are challenging for those who use substances, as well as for those around them, including friends and family members. If you are someone you know is experiencing substance addiction or withdrawal, help is available. Reach out to a healthcare provider, such as a primary care practitioner, psychologist, or addiction specialist for support.

Drug addiction (substance use disorder)

Drug And Alcohol Detox: The First Step To Sobriety
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