Drug Detox

Drug detox is the first step to abstinence and a drug-free life. It’s very important to remember that when an addict either chooses or is forced to go through drug detox, or alcohol detox, that the actual process of the detoxification is provided under medical supervision.

Medical Detox
Withdrawal symptoms occur during drug detox when an individual who abuses drugs either stop completely or dramatically reduces the drug intake after a pattern of consistent and extended use. The immediate symptoms of withdrawal that occur due to drug detox or alcohol detox usually will include sweating, shaking, headache, strong drug cravings, nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramping, diarrhea, inability to sleep, confusion, agitation, depression, anxiety, and other behavioral changes. There are certain drugs that require a strict period of supervised medical drug detox, while other drugs do not. Drugs, such as heroin and methadone do require medical supervision through period of drug detox. Addictions to prescription medications will usually involve a medically supervised period of drug detoxification. Other drug classifications like marijuana, crystal meth, cocaine and crack will usually not require medical attention during the period of detox.

Often times when it comes to the addiction of drugs, many individuals will create a self-induced, psychological dependence to the drug they are abusing, and therefore make the drug detoxification period more painful, sometimes making the detox period longer than medically needed.

Addiction to prescription drugs like Oxycontin, Xanax, Vicodin and Lortab, all require supervised medical drug detox. The process of detox that needs to be medically supervised includes the need to closely monitor the vital signs of the individual, encouragement, and the administering of medications. Klonepin is commonly the medication given to individual’s undergoing drug detox, because it aids in the reduction of physical symptoms. Generally, the drug detoxification process usually lasts anywhere from three to seven days depending on the drug and the length and frequency of use.
Detox and Rehab
Drug detox is done as the first step in any rehab program because any presence of drugs in an individual’s body will keep the body and person craving drugs. Also, a person who is still under any influence of drugs will not be physically or mentally ready to begin the process of drug rehabilitation, thus making drug detox the first and most important start to any drug addiction treatment.
Many drug rehabilitation centers are equipped with their own drug detox or alcohol detox facilities, making the transition easier for individuals who are attending the program. Some drug detox is done under a medical professional’s care, but is done through an outpatient process, where the patient does not need to remain at the facility. However, it has been noted that the most successful drug detox and drug rehab is done at an inpatient drug treatment facility.

What does alcohol detox mean?

Alcohol detox is the first step in any rehab or treatment for alcohol abuse to begin the journey to sobriety. Detox is the process of removing any residual toxins that are present in the human body, usually occurring due to the abuse of drugs and alcohol. Alcohol detoxification, while under the care of medical supervision and care, is the process of supervising the body and monitoring the physical withdrawal symptoms that the individual will encounter due to the absence of alcohol. Medical supervision is required to aid in the minimization of the possible painful side effects that are likely to occur throughout alcohol detoxification, while helping to prevent any of the potentially permanent consequences that can be detrimental to an individual’s body or mental health. When going about any alcohol detox, there are different methods available to go about the process itself of alcohol detox.

When an individual uses alcohol consistently for an extended period of time, an addiction and dependence on the consumption of alcohol will occur. When the individual who has developed the addiction to alcohol ceases to drink alcohol regularly, or how the body is used to, they will begin to experience symptoms that are referred to as withdrawals. Alcohol detox is the same as alcohol withdrawals and without proper medical supervision or care, the effects can be extremely dangerous, and is not recommended to be attempted alone or without prior consent from any medical professional. The results of alcohol detox can include several severe symptoms including seizures, nausea, hallucinations, high blood pressure and anxiety. These symptoms are the reasons that it is not recommended to attempt alcohol detox on ones own.

Alcohol detox generally can take anywhere from three to five days to be completed, depending on the pattern of the alcohol abuse and consumption, and the process of which the alcohol detoxification is being undergone. When alcohol detox is being completed under medical care, medications are usually given to the patient to alleviate the pain of the withdrawal symptoms, and aid in the avoidance of any permanent side effects resulting from the alcohol detoxification process. Some of the possible lasting effects that can occur as a result of alcohol detoxification include delirium tremors, also referred to as DTs, convulsions, nausea, headaches, constant shakes and insomnia.

For information relating to locating a safe and effective detox center , call the national detox helpline at 1-800-99-DETOX.