Reasons To Consider medical detox For Drug And Alcohol Abuse
This period is called withdrawal, when you or someone you know tries to quit taking an addictive substance. This may create a fierce internal battle, resulting in unpleasant sensations and responses. At their worst, withdrawal symptoms often peak during the first several days following stopping the substance use. It is recommended that drug withdrawal clients obtain medical help to mitigate the symptoms.
Depending on the substance used and the severity of dependence, medical detox may last anywhere from a few days to a week. It may take as long as two weeks, however. There is a risk of long-term health issues if this time is not handled correctly. Not all medicines have the same severity of withdrawal symptoms. It may be excruciating to withdraw from narcotics, including alcohol, Xanax, heroin, and opioids.
Detoxification from drugs or alcohol under medical supervision is often conducted at a clinic or hospital. Consequences may be devastating; thus, medical care is essential. In addition, there are detox and withdrawal management services available on-site at specific residential treatment centers. Detox patients benefit from having round-the-clock caretakers.
How A Medical Detox Program Works
A person who believes they have a physical alcohol dependence should not try to quit cold turkey without first seeing a doctor or a skilled therapist. Some people, particularly the very young, may get away with giving up right away if they don’t. Still, those who don’t will do themselves severe damage. There is no benefit to taking that chance.
The first step in medical detox program is to help the patient go through withdrawal as comfortably as possible by alleviating the unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. The intense medical detox program unit assesses the patient to see whether they need to be moved. Stopping drug or alcohol use suddenly is not recommended unless it is part of a medically supervised detox program.
Certain drug withdrawals, such as alcohol withdrawal, have the potential to be fatal and need medical care throughout the detoxification process. The misused substances, the amount of time spent addicted, and the dose all play a part in choosing the most effective treatment method. In a medical detox program, trained withdrawal specialists and registered nurses are available around the clock for patients.
Patients undergoing detox must meet specific requirements. There is no imminent medical threat related to the patient’s drug use or withdrawal symptoms; the patient is no longer under the influence of any mood-altering substances and is not experiencing significant withdrawal symptoms. In the treatment plan, the patient engages in regular exercise under the supervision of a physical therapist, eats a healthy diet, takes vitamins and supplements, undergoes acupuncture, and receives a massage.
The availability of these amenities is intended to put the patient at ease. Those suffering from withdrawal symptoms may find help from massage treatment or acupuncture. A person’s chances of beating their drug or alcohol addiction and moving on to a happy, healthy life are considerably improved with the help of a professional treatment program.
If medical detox is deemed required, however, it is not always necessary for the individual to undergo inpatient treatment in a residential treatment facility or a hospital. It may be feasible to get therapy at home in some circumstances, or it may be enough to make routine trips to your primary care physician (PCP), a hospital, or a specialized clinic.
