Detox from Drugs and Alcohol
Drug and alcohol addiction affects many people throughout the United States. Even if a person is not an addict themselves, chances are they have a friend, family member, or colleague who is suffering from an addiction.
The many ill effects that drug and alcohol addiction can have make it very burdening on families. From health issues to legal issues to the loss of friends and family. It’s important to get the help that you need in order to overcome an addiction.
What is Drug and Alcohol Detox
At Desert Cove Recovery we provide a comprehensive rehabilitation program that starts with detox. Detoxification is the first step in a long road to recovery. During the detox process the body will rid itself of the drugs and toxins a person has been putting in their body over time.
As the body is ridding itself from these toxins there can be many side effects. This is why it is important to have medical staff available to help during the withdrawal process.
Some of the symptoms of drug and alcohol withdrawal include:
- Anxiety
- Agitation
- Sweating
- Muscle aches
- Watery eyes
- Insomnia
- Runny nose
- Seizures
- Tremors
- Hallucinations
- Nausea and/or vomiting
- Gastrointestinal issues
- Overall discomfort
Using drugs or alcohol for a long period of time can affect a person’s mental and physical health. This is why it is important to have those medical providers available during and after the detox process.
Types of Drug and Alcohol Detox
There are different types of detox methods that can be used. The type of substance that was abused along with the spectrum of withdrawal symptoms a patient experiences will influence what type of detox is appropriate.
At Desert Cove Recovery we will recommend detox based on an initial assessment of your personal history. Some of the types of detox that may be recommended include:
Outpatient Detox: this form of detox is not recommended very often. However, in some cases of less severe addiction, an outpatient detox program with regular checkups by a treatment team may work. In cases where money is an issue or a person must continue working, going into an outpatient detox regularly may work to help a person avoid relapse and to ensure they have medical care should they need it.
Inpatient Detox: for most people an inpatient detox will be recommended. Inpatient detox is often the safest choice and offers the highest rates of success. During an inpatient detox program a person will have the care that they need around the clock.
Opioid Detox: detox from opioids is often different than detox options for other substances. The FDA has approved several medications to help treat opioid addiction. These medications provide a different way to treat this type of addiction. Whether prescription medications or heroin are the opioid of choice, medication and inpatient care is recommended for the treatment of opioid addiction.
The medications used during opioid detox can help to alleviate some of the more unpleasant withdrawal symptoms from these substances. The medication will gradually be tapered off so the withdrawal symptoms are not as severe.
Withdrawal symptoms for opioid detox will vary based on whether the opioid of choice is long or short acting. Heroin is a short acting drug and withdrawal symptoms will typically appear in just a few hours after using and can go away after a few days. A longer acting opioid such as painkillers may not have withdrawal symptoms until a few days after last using and the symptoms may last for weeks.
Treatment After Detox
Many people think that once they have the drug out of their system they will be over their addiction and can move on with their lives. However, this is not the case for the majority of addicts.
At Desert Cove Recovery we provide patients with a comprehensive recovery program to help them deal with all of the emotions and physical torments that they may experience after detox. We believe that treating the mind, body, and soul is important for anyone recovering from a drug or alcohol addiction.
Our holistic approach to drug addiction includes providing patients with the tools that they need to fully understand what led them to the use of drugs and alcohol in the first place. Through individual therapy sessions we will help you come to terms with the root of your addiction so that you can work through the root of your issues and move on with your life.
Group therapy is also a part of our program as it will provide you with the support that you need. Participating in group therapy allows you to meet other people who are suffering from the same types of addictions as you. Simply knowing that you are not alone on your road to recovery can be quite powerful.
If you are struggling with drug or alcohol addiction the first step will be to admit that you have a problem. Once you realize that you have a problem, it is time to get the help that you need. This will likely start with a detox program. Once detox is complete, we can help you come up with a personalized plan to help you.