Drug and Alcohol Medical Detox
Drug and alcohol addiction can present many challenges to an individual’s health. Substance use disorder can affect people in varying ways and can cause physical and psychological symptoms and effects to occur. But, thankfully, struggling individuals in New Jersey can find hope here at Achieve Wellness and Recovery. Long-term recovery and freedom from addiction is possible through an addiction detox program here in N.J. Achieve Wellness is partnered with the best detox program in the tri-state area.
Through medical detoxification, individuals can begin the journey to recovery from substance use. Thankfully, this process enables people to safely end the use of alcohol and drugs. It also helps them to prepare for the next phases of addiction rehab, which might include an intensive outpatient program ( IOP ), partial care program , or a general outpatient program .
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What is Medical Detox?
Medical detox is a process of fully clearing an individual’s body of any mind-altering substances such as drugs or alcohol. This process is usually the first step in the addiction treatment journey.
During an initial assessment, a clinician can learn more about the patient’s medical history, overall experience with drugs or alcohol, and what kind of substance withdrawal symptoms to expect. This early step in case management will ensure high-quality levels of care for an individuals alcohol or drug rehab.
This step is critical to identifying and excluding any underlying medical issues that might be complicating or worsening their symptoms, making sober living difficult. Often, people struggle with medical issues that may or may not be related to addiction. Drug and alcohol detox centers may address these needs or help patients find medical help to aid in their recovery journey.
The initial assessments also help determine which drugs were being used and how frequently the drugs were being used. This information is crucial because it can play a major role in dictating which detox medications are suitable for the patient’s medication-assisted treatment.
How Does Drug and Alcohol Detox Work?
In addition to the necessary medications, the treatment facility will offer comfortable beds and nutritious regular meals to help a patient’s body regain optimum health and strength. Throughout detox, specific measures will be in place to monitor the following:
- Emotional stability
- Physical health
- Vital signs
At our medical drug detox center in New Jersey, clients will be monitored in the medical detox program for all hours of the day and night in case medical care is necessary. A licensed and trained staff member will always be available to the patients to ensure their stay is as safe and comfortable as possible.
At an acute detox facility, the duration of treatment can last from a few days to a couple of weeks, depending on the severity of the addiction and the patient’s medical status. A close eye will be kept on every patient. Therefore when the appointed time comes, the staff will determine when the patient is ready to move out of the detox program and into regular treatment services.
How Does Medical Detox Differ from Natural Detox?
Medical detox differs from natural detox because of the use of withdrawal symptom-relieving detox medications. For starters, a natural detox’s main focus is on removing toxic substances from an individual’s body without any form of medication. Typically, individuals who undergo this type of detox do so without the use of a recovery center.
More About Natural Detox
Natural detox normally includes alternative, holistic therapies such as acupuncture, herbal remedies, yoga, and massage. Even though natural detoxification is affordable, it’s also known as the least effective way to detox.
What are the Dangers of Natural Detox?
Many individuals begin this detox with a powerful desire for a life change, but they soon discover that the intensity of the physical withdrawal symptoms drives them to relapse instead.
The danger of undergoing a natural detox is that some of the substances can cause dangerous withdrawal symptoms.
If an individual was addicted to benzodiazepines or was a heavy drinker, it’s not advisable to try quitting “cold turkey”. The body may experience dangerous consequences, including debilitating or even deadly withdrawal symptoms.
Withdrawing from other substances may not cause life-threatening symptoms to an individual. But they could still pose a danger for a deadly response to occur.
More About Medical Detox
A medically supervised inpatient rehab detox can be entirely natural (without medication) and still take place in a medical setting. In this type of detox program, there will be access to doctor or provider supervision, and if needed, a medical intervention. Supervised medical detoxification can take place in either an outpatient or inpatient rehab center setting. This is a much safer method to take as the first step in conquering alcohol or drug addiction.
Some people may fear that medical detox is just the act of substituting one drug for another one. However, this isn’t the case. When the correct precautions are taken, and the medications are properly administered, the development of a “new addiction” is not likely. On the contrary, medical alcohol and drug detox can help the patient properly manage their cravings so they can fully focus on recovery.
The medical detox process can ultimately help people get through the withdrawal symptoms that come with ending alcohol and drug abuse. This allows individuals to think more clearly about overcoming substance use and rebuilding their lives.
Medical detox is typically offered as an inpatient program, and if it happens to be offered for an outpatient program, it will include daily trips to the clinic.
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What Should I Expect From a Medical Detox Center?
The first step to expect during a medical detox process is an evaluation. A doctor or healthcare provider at the detoxification facility will ask the individual about the substance usage, their health history, and their overall goals. From that step, a stabilization process will occur, which will involve monitoring the person’s symptoms and medication.
Lastly, good detox programs will take place for the individual to discuss substance abuse treatment options. Detox is the first step and ultimately the best chance for recovery from continuous treatment. Even though detox is considered a physical battle, continual sobriety is a mental journey.
The medications at a medical detoxification facility can be addictive as well if individuals abuse them. An ideal candidate for medical detox is an individual who has an addiction to a substance that is considered dangerous to withdraw from. A person who is highly motivated to recover would also excel in a medical detox program.
What Types of Substance Use Disorders Require Medical Detoxification for Treatment?
The substances that require medical detox are the following:
Opioid drugs come from the opioid poppy plant and bind to opioid receptors in the brain blocking pain sensations effectively and producing euphoric and calming feelings. These type of drugs are highly addictive, and includes the following:
- Oxycotin
- Morphine
- Percocet
- Heroin
- Fentanyl
- Codeine
- Vicodin
The Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) classifies many opioids as Schedule I or II controlled substances which means that they have limited medicinal use and a high potential for physical dependence and abuse. In the United States, drug overdose death is the leading cause of death in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 44 Americans die from prescription opioid overdoses every day.
Unfortunately, people who suffer from prescription drug abuse and illicit opioid addictions may experience life-altering effects. The impact of addiction can be severe. But, help is available through comprehensive rehab programs. First, opioid addiction must be managed with a medically assisted detox to control the challenging physical and emotional side effects of opioid withdrawal.
Xanax (along with its generic form, Alprazolam) is one of the most prescribed drugs in the United States. Benzodiazepine medications are considered to be prescription tranquilizers that act as central nervous system depressants, calming panic and anxiety, and helping individuals sleep. They also can slow down pressure and heart rate and reduce respiration and body temperature, all-around creating relaxed and calm feelings. The common benzodiazepines are:
- Klonopin
- Librium
- Valium
- Ativan
- Xanax
Benzodiazepine withdrawal symptoms are not typically life-threatening. A medically-assisted detox program at addiction detox centers can assist in managing the psychological side effects such as panic or anxiety symptoms, insomnia, and depression.
Abruptly stopping alcohol use after constantly using this substance can be fatal. When an individual engages in heavy episodes of drinking, some form of withdrawal symptoms will usually set in within eight hours of the last drink.
Individuals who have an alcohol use disorder will undergo emotional side effects during withdrawal such as:
- Mood swings
- Severe depression
- Difficulty concentrating
- Nightmares
- Jumpiness
- Irritability
- Anxiety
Addiction treatment for alcohol use disorder typically begins with a detox process. This allows individuals to safely stop using alcohol, cleanse their bodies of any toxins, and prepare for the next step in addiction treatment.
How Can Medical Detox Help You Overcome Withdrawals More Safely?
Medical detox can help and assist a person in overcoming withdrawals easier and safer because it acts as the ideal method for managing withdrawal. As stated previously, withdrawal symptoms can be emotional or physical and sometimes even fatal or dangerous without proper treatment.
Some individuals who go through alcohol withdrawal will experience delirium tremens (DTs). Delirium tremens is a potentially life-threatening form of alcohol withdrawal. Medical detox acts like a 5-10 day program that provides medical management for withdrawal and around-the-clock supervision. Symptoms and cravings can be thoroughly managed with medications, and emotional support is provided to keep clients safe 24/7.
Medical detox will allow a medical professional to help you through the withdrawal process. An addiction specialist can assist you and facilitate a safe process for you as you experience withdrawal symptoms. With medical supervision, you can safely end substance abuse in your life and prepare for the next phase of addiction rehab.
Sobriety Awaits You at Achieve Wellness and Recovery
If you are struggling to overcome a substance use disorder in your life, you are not alone. Unfortunately, many people and loved ones suffer from substance use problems. The fight against addiction is one many generations have faced. Thankfully, however, addiction recovery and aftercare is both achievable and accessible for you through our rehab programs.
Here at Achieve Wellness and Recovery, we offer treatment programs that can help you break free from addiction. Through an individualized treatment plan at our treatment center, you can find your way to health and healing. Our behavioral health professionals and specialists will walk with you as you pursue inpatient or outpatient treatment and recovery from substance abuse and mental health challenges.
Detox is a crucial first step of recovery. At Achieve, we want to make your recovery as smooth and comfortable as possible. The biggest advantage of entering our detox facility in New Jersey is the expertise and support that you will receive throughout the substance or alcohol rehab process. We realize that the road to recovery comes with many ups and downs. Our team is here to celebrate you on the good days and support you on the challenging days.
If you’re ready to end addiction in your life, the time is now. You don’t need to wait any longer; just give us a call today to discuss addiction services. Allow our team of medical professionals to help you end addiction for good.
