When someone is addicted to alcohol or drugs, they need to go through detoxification. It is the first step for addiction treatments. Only after the completion of the detoxification process, the person can move forward with the addiction treatment.
Detox is based on the principle that some are unwell and struggle to tackle the underlying health problems. This is the reason why addiction treatment starts with the detoxification process. This ensures that the physical side treatment is taken care of.
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Medical Detox Process
Most people know about the detoxification process as a single process. However, that is not the case. If we zoom onto the process, we will find that detoxification is three-step.
- Preparation for future treatment.
Furthermore, the patients also learn about addiction in detail, attend therapy sessions to cure their addictions, and attend support group meetings during their detox.
However, these are just complementary treatments and not the stages of the detoxification process.
1. Evaluation
Evaluation usually involves several blood tests, physical exams, screening, and a Q&A session. Next, therapists will review the results and determine the patients’ mental and physical state. A physician will then develop a treatment plan using that information.
2. Stabilization
Stabilization is the process where the patients discontinue the drug use, and the health professional ensures that they maintain their sobriety and stable condition. Medication might be used to mitigate the withdrawal symptoms. The length of the withdrawal and severity of the symptoms depends on the severity and types of addiction.
3. Preparation
After the patients have completed the stabilization stage, it doesn’t mean their detox process is completed. Patients should be prepared for any additional treatment following the medical detox program. Detox programs only help patients fight their addiction physically and not psychologically.
Medication Used During Detox
One of the pillar processes in the detox program is medication. It aims to rid the body of dangerous substances and make the patients feel as comfortable as possible. This process is conducted under the guidance of professional physicians.
Most medications treat the side effects of the withdrawal symptoms such as headaches, fever, tremors, and seizures.
If you think medication can do the job, why go for the whole detox program. Well, the answer to that question is that no medication can speed up the detoxification process. They can only put a lid on your craving.
After consulting Gallus Detox, we have listed down some of the most common medications given to the patients during the detoxification process.
What To Expect From Medical Detox Process
The detoxification process starts with an assessment. Medical professionals will ask for all the necessary things that they need to treat them. This might include medical history, substance use history, questionnaire session, and severity of the condition.
Physicians will screen the patients to gauge their mental fitness, infectious diseases, and nutritional deficiencies.
After learning everything about the patients, physicians will develop a plan to make them safe and comfortable as much as possible. At inpatient facilities, patients will be assigned rooms and will be monitored 24X7.
A detox program takes into account both medications as well as a mental health therapy. Meditations, calming the mind, etc. are important components through which the brain can be relaxed and put to ease.
Although the detoxification process might seem simple, it is really amazing for the patients. But once the process is complete, the patients come out to be healthier and focus on the next phase of their treatment.
Why Do I Need A Medical Detox program?
It is Time to detox!
If you are dealing with an alcohol problem and you are not sure where to start, the chances are that you need medical certification to get rid of those dangerous substances from your body.
Whether you are new to the process or someone who has relapsed and needs an addiction treatment program, detoxification is the first step.
By answering these questions, you will be able to tell why you need a medical detox program?
Q1. Have You Been Taking Higher Quantities Recently?
An increased amount of drugs or alcohol consumption means increased risk to your health. If you ever find that you have been consuming too much alcohol (more than usual), you need to go through a medical detox program.
Q2. Do You Get Sick When You Do Not Use It?
This is a physical signal of withdrawal. For example, when you stop using alcohol or drugs and start feeling sick, your body is craving alcohol and drugs. If you ever experience this, no matter how minor it might be, seek help from professionals.
Q3. Do You Get Depressed When You Do Not Use It?
When you start feeling depressed when not using the substance, this is a psychological signal of withdrawal. So, for instance, if you are an alcoholic person and feel depressed when you cannot get a sip of it every now and then, this means you need a medical detox program.
How Long Medical Detox Last?
That’s a tough question to answer. There are many reasons that play a significant role behind the scene to determine the span of the detox process.
These are factors that affect the length of the process.
- Type of drug addiction.
- Health condition.
- Co-occurring disorder.
- Duration of the addiction.
- Sex, age, and weight.
- Family history.
Patients feel intense withdrawal symptoms during the first week of their treatment. These symptoms might include:
- Muscle pain.
However, the psychological withdrawal; symptoms can last for weeks, even months. Psychological symptoms include:
Choosing A Detox Center!
Now that you know what the detox process is all about and why you need one, the last thing left to do is to find a detox centre. There are different detox centres offering different services.
For example, some might only treat alcohol detox. While some might offer only drug detox treatment. Detox centres can also help you with diet plans that take into account healthy eating patterns.
No matter which detox centre you need, the best facility performs extensive evaluation and assessment before starting your treatment.
