drugdetox

Detoxification is an important part of treatment for drug or alcohol abuse. Similar to the process of dealing with other health conditions, professional guidance and supervision of treatment is necessary to ensure your health and safety.

It may seem like a drug detox only consists of no longer taking a substance and dealing with the symptoms, but it’s more complicated. Detoxing without medical supervision can increase the chance of seizures, cardiac arrest, death, and other health risks.

Explanation of Drug Detoxification

Drug detoxification is the process of ridding a person’s body from alcohol or drugs. During active substance abuse, cravings and withdrawal symptoms (such as sweats, chills, headaches and vomiting) prompt the individual to drink again or use drugs in order to reduce those symptoms.

With professional care and customized medical treatment, the detox client is able to safely work through the withdrawal phase so they can begin the next phases of treatment without reverting back to drug or alcohol use. The length of time it takes to detox and the comfort level of the person in detox can vary depending on the drug used, the length of time it was used, and the tolerance levels of each individual.

How Detox Fits into Treatment

After meeting with an intake counselor, having a physical exam, and undergoing any other necessary assessments, you or a loved one will begin detox. The detoxification process keeps the client as comfortable as possible while the drugs a leaving the body, enabling the individual to better focus on treatment once it’s finished.

Various types of therapy, including individual, group and family counseling, are included in treatment process after a detox. Additionally, groups and workshops are provided to teach life skills and help clients build coping strategies for staying sober. Going through the detox process at a facility can help make the transition into a treatment program much easier, improving the chances that an individual will remain sober after a detox.

Risks of Detoxing Alone

Within hours of the last drug or alcohol use, mild withdrawal symptoms can begin. These can range from upset stomach to chills to irritability. As a solitary, unsupervised detox continues, the symptoms will become more severe if proper medical treatment isn’t available.

Convulsions, high blood pressure, and loss of consciousness are just a few of the side effects that can place the person detoxing at a risk of injury or death. Likewise, well-meaning family members and friends face the risk of being harmed if the individual becomes aggressive because of the withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms can be prevented or reduced with the assistance of an addiction treatment facility.

Medically Supervised Detox is Necessary

For your health and safety, it’s vital to detox under the supervision and care provided at a rehab center. Prior to beginning detox, the medical staff will assess your health and create a detox plan that suits your individual needs, while ensuring optimum comfort and security.

Throughout the process, a professional will be there to help you through withdrawal symptoms and change treatment services or any medications if necessary. These benefits cannot be obtained by detoxing alone at home, where your health and life can be put at-risk by lack of medical care. Detox is the first step to treatment, when the risk of relapsing is at high point. Put health, safety, and a successful treatment plan first by choosing to detox at a rehab program.

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