What is Medical Detoxification (Detox)?
Medical detoxification (or detox) is a treatment that takes place at a hospital or monitored clinical setting. The program works to rid the body of the effects of drugs or alcohol, while monitoring the physical symptoms of withdrawal. Medicine may be administered if the patient is experiencing unmanageable physical symptoms or pain.
Withdrawal Symptoms
When drug or alcohol addiction develops it changes brain chemistry and functioning. And when people abstain from heavy substance use, withdrawal symptoms develop because the brain is adjusting to a lack of adrenaline chemicals.
Alcohol is one of the most easily accessible and commonly used substances. At treatment centers, acute alcohol withdrawal specifically is one of the most challenging and dangerous withdrawal phases. This detox must occur under medical supervision at a hospital or other controlled setting. For severe and prolonged alcohol use, withdrawal symptoms can result in seizures, hallucinations, intense tremors, shaking, sweating, fever, rapid heart rate, high blood pressure, or delirium tremens (DT).
Drug withdrawal has different withdrawal symptoms based on the length of time, type of drug used, and the amount consumed. Addiction to prescription drugs like Valium, have severe withdrawal symptoms similar to alcohol. Seizures and other heightened emotions characterize the long withdrawal process.
For withdrawal from an opiate addiction (like heroin, for example), symptoms may result in cold flashes, insomnia, chills, body aches, bone pain, vomiting, or nausea.
For withdrawal from a stimulant like cocaine, the process can last for as long as two weeks (though it varies). Patients will experience less intense withdrawal symptoms than they would if they were coming off other substances like alcohol or opiates, for example. Typical stimulant withdrawal symptoms include lethargy, insomnia, or agitation. However, stimulant withdrawal runs the dangerous risk for depression and active suicidal ideations to develop. Physicians may prescribe anti-depressants during withdrawal if depression risks are severe.
Support in Detox
Medical detox provides both medical and emotional support by experts and physicians. Detox programs provide a safe and comfortable environment. It is not a process to be feared. Rates of recovery are much higher with primary treatment and detox versus attempting to quit alone, without the guidance of trained drug and alcohol physicians.
Treatment, medical detox, rehabilitation, and recovery all have to take place away from family and work environments. Addiction is often born or intensified in those settings, and rates of completion or sobriety are low.
According to numerous sources, the chance of overcoming an addiction without the help of a primary treatment and medical detox program is less than five percent. For those who complete primary treatment and detox only, the chances of achieving short-term sobriety are between twenty and eighty percent. Chances for sobriety increase immensely if the patient chooses to reside in a sober living facility after medical detox.
Medication-Based Therapy
For overcoming any substance addiction, numerous sources reiterate that “quitting cold turkey” carries more risks. And for severely addicted users, withdrawal symptoms can occur several hours after stopping. Without the assistance of medical professionals, physicians, or addiction experts, physical complications and risks of extreme pain and a drastic return to substance abuse becomes magnified. Individuals run the risk of causing bodily harm to themselves or accidentally overdosing.
Medication based therapy can only be conducted at a hospital or a medically supervised environment with physicians. Medication-assisted therapy in detox is proven to be successful, particularly for heroin addicts.
Medical detox has effects that may be mild to severe, based on the length of addiction, type of substance, and other physical components. Physicians, medical staff, nurses, and treatment specialists provide close monitoring and care, especially during the withdrawal process.
5 Reasons to do a Medical Detox
- Treatment Centers Provide a Safe Place
Overcoming an addiction is a difficult process. But an in-patient treatment facility offers a guarded and safe space for patients to go through the first steps of intake and treatment. Detox assists the patient through withdrawal symptoms, rehabilitation, and facing recovery afterwards. Medical detox is also free from outside stressors, which may have contributed to substance addiction.
- Round the Clock Care and Monitoring
Medical detox services offer specified care and close 24/7 monitoring by physicians, mental health professionals, and addiction experts. They are familiar with the various withdrawal symptoms that may occur from alcohol abuse, opiate, or stimulate drug abuse. At their discretion, they may administer medication to those struggling with certain aspects of the withdrawal phase. Making sure patients are cared for, safe, and not in pain is always a priority in medical detox.
- Restored Physical Health
Long-term substance addiction can take its toll on the body. For example, alcoholics experience black outs, seizures, shaking, memory loss, headaches, and general sickness from hangovers, in addition to frequent alcohol poisoning. But quitting alcohol consumption is one of the more difficult substances to quit. And medical detox is the safest way to stop using and transition into a life of optimal physical health.
- Restored Relationships
Drug and alcohol addicts hide their addiction from everyone in their lives, until the damage is inescapable. However, by a certain point drug and alcohol use becomes so out of control, it may have severely affected relationships with family, friends, or significant others. Taking the first step of medical detox is a chance to fix broken relationships. Family and loved ones will also see it as a sign of real change.
- A Chance for a New Life
Since addiction is a chemical dependency, breaking free from substance use is a difficult journey. However, medical detox offers the chance for a life free from the shackles of drug or alcohol addiction. Participating in an inpatient treatment program is essential for starting over. With the guidance of physicians, mental health experts, and medically trained addiction experts, the chance for an addiction free life awaits.
Looking Ahead Towards Recovery
Medical detox is not a program to fear. It should be viewed as a sign of a fresh start. While medical detox alone is not enough to maintain long-term sobriety, it is an vital step in breaking a chemical dependency. Embrace the clinical support, the safe environment, and take the beginning step towards clean and sober living.
