Drug Detox: What is Drug Detox & What to Expect

Drug detox (or drug detoxification) is the first crucial step of recovery. Before therapy, drug rehab, 12-step meetings, and everything else that helps people maintain their recovery, a person seeking freedom from drug & alcohol addiction must go through drug detox.

That's because substance abuse changes the way the brain works. When a person abuses drugs and alcohol, their brain begins to teach itself that it needs addictive substances to work properly.

Drug detox allows harmful substances to leave the body in a safe and controlled fashion. This helps the brain to repair itself. A person is then able to go into recovery from substance abuse with a clear head, no longer under the influence of drugs or alcohol. This is crucial for the rest of drug and alcohol addiction treatment: it simply does not work if someone's under the influence of drugs.

Make no mistake, drug detoxification can be a very complex and occasionally difficult process. But, when done with professionals at a drug detox center, the process is safe, relatively comfortable, and effective. Drug detox is the best way to ensure a long-lasting successful recovery.

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What is Drug Detox?

Drug detoxification treatment is the process of removing drugs and alcohol from a person's system in a safe and controlled manner. It usually involves withdrawing from the substance in question, which can cause uncomfortable side effects such as nausea, headaches, anxiety, and insomnia. Known as withdrawal symptoms, these can present a stiff challenge for those unprepared for them.

Also, drug detoxification involves 24/7 compassionate care. Withdrawal just isn't physical; it has mental and emotional effects as well. A drug detox center will keep its clients feeling supported and safe throughout the entire drug detox process. Some centers even introduce various forms of talk therapy toward the end of the drug detox process. It's all about building a successful transition to the next level of care.

What are Withdrawal Symptoms?

All addictive substances cause withdrawal symptoms. Here's a partial list of drugs many people seek drug detox from:

Alcohol

Cocaine

Benzodiazepines:

Xanax
Klonopin
Valium
Etc.

Cannabis/marijuana

Methamphetamines

Inhalants

Synthetic drugs:

Designer drugs like MDMA, ketamine, GHB, spice

Opioids such as:

Heroin
Morphine
Fentanyl

Synthetic drugs:

Designer drugs like MDMA, ketamine, GHB, spice

Prescription drugs:

Painkillers
Stimulants such as ADHD medications, and prescription tranquilizers

The severity of withdrawal symptoms can depend on a variety of factors. Some substances only produce minor symptoms during the withdrawal process. Other drugs, like opioids, have justifiably infamous symptoms. Finally, benzodiazepine withdrawal symptoms and alcohol withdrawal symptoms are capable of producing exceptionally severe withdrawal symptoms in some cases, including seizures and coma.

Common Physical Withdrawal Symptoms Include:

Nausea

Vomiting

Diarrhea

Headache

Body Aches

Exhaustion

Fever

High heart rate and blood pressure

A runny nose

Common Mental and Emotional Withdrawal Symptoms Include:

Mood swings

Confusion

Anxiety

Depression

Trouble sleeping

Problems concentrating

Unpleasant dreams

Drug cravings

Withdrawal symptoms are especially harsh for those who attempt drug detox on their own, at home, with a so-called "detox kit", or anywhere but a professional, licensed drug detox center. Without the constant care and support from drug detox center staff, a person may find withdrawal too difficult to bear, causing them to return to substance abuse for relief. Also, withdrawal symptoms for some substances can be strong enough to require emergency medical attention.

Finally, the "cold turkey" approach will often produce very intense withdrawal symptoms. Cold turkey is essentially stopping all drug use at once, without trying to taper off. Although this sounds like a fast route to recovery, cold turkey is highly dangerous. It's an extreme shock to the system in many cases and is likely to either make someone resume their substance use or put them in serious danger of their health.

A professional drug detox center is the best place to detox from drugs. During drug detox at a drug detox center, medical professionals are around to provide 24-hour care and support should any complications arise. This helps make sure that the entire drug detox process is safe for those going through it.

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What Happens During Drug Detox?

The amount of time spent in drug detox will differ depending on what type of substance has been abused and how long a person has been using it. The most important thing to remember during drug detox is to stay under the care of a professional.

During drug detox, a person may experience various levels of discomfort and pain. Medical staff will provide medications to ease withdrawal symptoms and help a person get through their drug detox safely and comfortably. To prevent relapse, the staff will also give mental health counseling and other services to ensure the best possible outcome for each individual.

Although every drug detox center is different, most follow the same basic stages for people under their care. Here's a brief outline of the process:

What Happens During Drug Detox?

Step

Medical Assessment

Drug detox usually starts with a medical assessment of the patient and a detailed interview. The staff at a drug detox center will question a patient about their health, substance abuse history, any co-occurring medical conditions they may have, and a bit of their personal history. This can seem intrusive, but it's not intended to be. The more the staff at a drug detox center knows about their client's health, the more help they can give them. Detox plans are often highly personalized, aiming at helping patients overcome both withdrawal symptoms and whatever outside causes may be driving their addictive behaviors.

Step

Withdrawal

Once a person has been admitted into a drug detox center, the withdrawal process begins. As we've said, this process is far more comfortable, safe, and likely be successful when done at a drug detox center. A person withdrawing with professional help will have access to counseling and even prescription medications to make withdrawal easier to endure.

Step

Support

At a drug detox center, a person will have 24/7 support from staff and medical professionals. Any potential complications from withdrawal symptoms will be recognized and addressed, and staff can also help keep a person's mental outlook positive during this challenging part of recovery.

It's important to remember that drug detox is not an end in itself. It is only the first step in overcoming addiction, with more work still ahead after drug detox is completed.

What Medications are Used During Drug Detox?

Part of making withdrawal symptoms easier to endure at a drug detox center is the use of prescription medications. These medications help stabilize a person who is withdrawing from addictive drugs and also help ease their symptoms.

Some of these medications include:

Buprenorphine: Buprenorphine is an FDA-approved prescription drug used to treat opioid addiction. Its brand names include Sublocade, Suboxone, and Subutex.

Clonidine: Clonidine is traditionally used to treat high blood pressure. It's also used to treat anxiety, tremors, and other symptoms of opioid withdrawal.

Methadone: Methadone has been used safely for years as part of drug replacement therapy for opioid addiction.

How Long Does Drug Detox Last?

This is a good question without a clear answer. Drug detox never has a clear, set timeline. One person might detox from drugs within a week; another might need closer to a month to complete drug detox.

Fundamentally, drug detox lasts as long as it needs to. A person is done with drug detox when they're ready to move on to the next stage of addiction care.

How to Choose a Drug Detox Center Near You?

Finding the right drug detox center can be a bit of a challenge. It's important to do your research and find one that fits your particular situation.

First, make sure any potential drug detox centers are properly licensed in your state. The facility should also offer something called “medically managed detox”, where they will provide medications and other treatments to help reduce the severity of withdrawal symptoms.

You should also check if the drug detox center has programs tailored for those suffering from dual diagnosis—a co-occurring disorder such as depression or anxiety, which often goes hand-in-hand with addiction. Lastly, look into what payment options the facility offers; some accept insurance and may even have sliding-scale payments for those who need extra help.

Searching online for "detox near me" or using a site like this is always a great way to find a detox center near you. Also, consider talking to addiction experts. Calling up a drug rehab or addiction center and asking about where to find a drug detox center is a great way to get advice about how to find a drug detox center.

Can Insurance Pay for Drug Detox?

Yes! Many insurance plans now cover treatments related to substance abuse disorder, including drug detox and rehabilitation programs. Depending on what type of plan a person has, some or all of the cost for drug detox may be covered.

It's important to check with an insurance company before deciding on any treatment plan so that proper coverage can be provided and understood.

Can I Afford Drug Detox?

Deciding to stop using drugs and alcohol is the greatest investment a person can make in themselves. There are many ways to pay for a stay at a drug detox center. Health insurance plans often cover drug detox, so if you have insurance, it's worth checking if your plan covers the cost of a stay at a drug detox center.

Some drug detox centers offer sliding scale payments for those who don't have health insurance or can't afford the full cost. It’s also important to note that some states provide financial assistance through Medicaid and other programs. If none of these options are available, many centers will work with families on payment plans.

In conclusion, drug detox is an important step for those looking to make a change in their lives and break free from addiction. With the right resources and support, anyone can find effective treatment near them that fits into their budget. No matter what happens during drug detox, remember that you are taking the first step towards a healthier, happier life.

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What Happens After Drug Detox Drug Rehab?

Once drug detox is complete, the next step is usually to enter a comprehensive addiction recovery program. This can include residential treatment/inpatient rehab, which provides 24/7 support and monitored care, or an outpatient drug rehab program which allows people to continue their daily lives while receiving guidance and counseling in their free time.

Here's how the two programs differ:

Inpatient Drug Rehab/Residential Drug Rehab:

This type of program requires people to live full-time at the facility and receive round-the-clock care. It focuses on intensive therapy, behavior modification, and group support.

Outpatient Drug Rehab:

This is a more flexible option that allows individuals to continue living at home while attending scheduled counseling and group meetings. Outpatient treatment is best suited for those who have a less-severe addiction or are unable to commit to inpatient drug rehab.

Each recovery plan is tailored to the individual's needs, so it's important to ask questions and find out what type of support would be best for you or your loved one. No matter which path someone chooses after drug detox, it's important to remember that recovery is a long process that takes time and dedication. With the right resources, anyone can find success and make lasting changes in their lives.

It's important to remember that drug detox is just the first step in a long journey toward recovery. Finding the right resources, support, and ongoing treatment programs can help ensure that you get the best care and have the highest chance of success. With enough dedication and hard work, you can break free from addiction and start achieving your goals for a healthier, happier life.

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