Drug Detox

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If you’re suffering from a drug abuse problem, there are drug detox programs that can help you NOW. Your addiction is taking over your life, perhaps hurting the people closest to you as well as yourself. You can feel its power over you, and you know it’s time to break this bond, but you don’t know how. Recovery Connection is here to help you - call 1-800-99-DETOX and get help now!

Drug detox, short for drug detoxification, is only the first step in achieving lifelong abstinence from drugs and alcohol. Most people, due to the length and severity of use, develop a physical and psychological dependency on their drug of choice (including alcohol).

When you abruptly discontinue use, you will begin to experience the onset of symptoms associated with withdrawal. These initial symptoms may include sweats, cramping, constipation and anxiety or can be as medically complex as seizures, convulsions and delirium tremors. Once addicted, the risks associated with suddenly discontinuing drug or alcohol use are just too great to be done without medical supervision.

Quality drug detox programs should provide:

A safe, medically supervised setting, focused on reducing or eliminating the symptoms associated with withdrawal
A withdrawal that is humane and protects the patient's dignity
A treatment plan for each patient, focused on what they must do in order to maintain their recovery after the alcohol and drug detox phase is completed

The time you spend in a drug detox program is contingent upon the substances you have been abusing, the amounts you have been using, the length of time you have been taking them, as well as any medical/psychiatric problems you may have.

Rapid Drug Detox Programs

Rapid drug detox, also known as ultra rapid opiate detox, is basically a procedure conducted under general anesthesia which is designed to eliminate the body's craving for certain highly addictive drugs. This happens by purging your system of all the addictive substances. This procedure has proven most effective in treating dependency on a wide range of opiates such as:

While under general anesthesia, you are administered medications that remove the opiates from your nervous system. This causes immediate withdrawal, but since you are unconscious, you avoid the pain associated with sudden withdrawal. At that point, Naltrexone and Naloxone are administered which reduces the normal five to six day withdrawal to five or six hours.

Upon awakening, cravings for the narcotic will be greatly diminished, but you may still experience some withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms will not increase, but will decrease over time as you recover.

An important note here is that many people are "fooled" into believing this is the solution to achieving long-term recovery. This could not be further from the truth. Many of the people choosing these types of drug detox programs are still in need of longer-term residential treatment. The other challenge patient’s encounter is missing out on the valuable experience of the discomfort associated with withdrawal. They are sometimes fooled into thinking "this wasn't so bad" and before they know it they are back to using their drug of choice. Pain is the touchstone of recovery and people may think twice before using drugs again if they know an uncomfortable drug detox and recovery experience is waiting for them.

How is it Naltrexone Used in Drug Detox Programs?

Naltrexone is a medication that blocks the effects of opiates and other narcotics. Naltrexone works by entering the brain and central nervous system and attaching itself to areas called receptor sites. For opiates to produce their effects, they must attach themselves to these sites. However, since the Naltrexone is already present, it prevents the opiates from doing so. Therefore, you don’t experience the "high" and can avoid relapse. Naltrexone is used in rapid drug detox programs to reduce the withdrawal time. Obviously, there are other factors that must be addressed, if you are to maintain long-term recovery, these issues may require residential addiction treatment.

How is Buprenorphine (Buprenex) or Suboxone Used in Drug Detox Programs?

Both of these medications were developed as replacements for drugs such as heroin, methadone and other opiates. Buprenorphine does provide pain relief, but at the same time also produces a narcotic "high". Suboxone combines Buprenorphine with Naloxone, an opiate antagonist, in order to prevent overdoses and produce less of a narcotic "high". The problem is that both Bupronex and Suboxone possess addictive qualities that must eventually be dealt with - a down side for both of these medications.

There are actually three stages of drug detox treatment that patients typically experience in drug detox programs. Initially, you discontinue using opiates for a determined period of time. Then, a physician will prescribe various amounts of Buprenex or Suboxone until they feel you are medically stable. When you reach the phase when it is time for you to withdraw from these medications, a gradual tapering off is directed to reduce the symptoms associated with withdrawal. Tapering off the medications may take upwards of 10 days due to the addictive quality they possess. Due to this addictive quality and "high" that you experience, some people have reported returning to their drug of choice.

Drug Detox Programs for Specific Drugs:

Drug Detox FAQ

For immediate assistance on alcohol and drug detox programs or to locate a drug rehab center, call Recovery Connection now at 1-800-99-DETOX. GET HELP NOW!

Drug Addiction Treatment Centers:

If your state doesn't appear on this list, please call Recovery Connection at 1-800-99-DETOX and we will be happy to assist you.

Drug Detox Programs