Drug Detox Guide

Drug Detox Program: What Is Required?

Substance addiction is a complex phenomenon. Although vital, relying on your willpower and the support of your friends and family alone is not enough to recover and prevent relapses. You need the help of someone who knows how to steer you in the right direction and has the expertise to manage your withdrawal symptoms and devise treatment options that fit your specific needs and requirements.

Joining a drug detox program and embarking on a rehabilitation program represents one of the most effective ways you can overcome addiction.

According to the The National Institute on Drug Abuse, a drug detox program can successfully help individuals overcome their addiction, provided they remain under treatment for the necessary period. The institute also describes detox as a

3-step process:

• Stabilization
• Detoxification
• Monitoring

What Drugs Require Detoxification Programs?

One of the primary reasons you should seek the aid of a rehab facility when detoxing is that most patients can’t handle the withdrawal symptoms on their own. However, not all substances require supervised detoxes. If you are suffering from marijuana or cocaine addiction, for example, you can take part in rehabilitation sessions and treatments during the day but are allowed to go home at night.

The substances that do require a supervised drug detox program impose a higher threat for patients during withdrawal. Those suffering from alcohol addiction, for instance, the second most abused substance in America according to the Addiction Center, must go through detox in a rehab facility, as the symptoms they face during withdrawal might be life-threatening. Heroin, opioids, and prescription drugs such as Xanax, Vicodin, Hydrocodone, and Oxycontin also require medical detox.

Patients detoxing from these substances may experience vomiting, nausea, suicidal thoughts, seizures, hallucinations, and even comas. If they are under supervision, authorized medical personnel can keep these symptoms under control and administer adequate treatments.

What Is the Standard Timeline for Withdrawal?

Withdrawal symptoms will start once an individual stops consuming the addictive substance. Each substance can cause different symptoms, generally depending on the extent these drugs have affected the brain and body of the patient.

Withdrawal is a complex process that can be influenced by numerous factors, such as:

• The type of substance;
• The amount of time a patient abused the substance;
• The method of consumption (injecting, smoking, swallowing, or snorting);
• Genetic traits of the individual;
• Other medical or mental conditions the patient might have;

As such, a person who consumes large doses of addictive substances over the span of many years, has a family history of addiction, or an underlying medical condition, will present more intense withdrawal symptoms than a person who consumed smaller doses over a short period. Still, the Cambridge Health Alliance found that withdrawal symptoms usually appear in the following scenarios:

• Prescription Opiates: Withdrawal starts 8-12 hours after the last dosage, peaks at 12-48 hours, and lasts up to 10 days.
• Alcohol: Withdrawal may start eight hours or up to a few days after the last drink, and can last a few weeks.
• Heroin: Withdrawal starts 12 hours after the last dose, and continues up to a few months.
• Prescription Medication: Withdrawal starts 1-4 days after the last dose, and in some cases can last for months or years without treatment.

What Are the Detoxification Options?

• Cold Turkey

Cold Turkey detoxification implies suddenly ceasing to consume the addictive substance without any aide. Compared to a professional drug detox program, the detox process is not controlled and can impose a threat to the patient’s health. Find out – What are the Dangers and Risks of Cold Turkey Detox?

• Rapid

Detox programs can last up to a few weeks to adequately supervise the patient and administer treatment for full recovery. A rapid detox means that the patient is put under an anesthetic, and the detox process is shortened to a couple of hours of substance elimination.

• At-Home Detox Kits

Typically, at-home detox kits are used to cleanse the body and are not prescribed to overcome addiction. It is advised to seek medical expertise before using at-home detox methods.

• Holistic Methods

The holistic approach to drug rehab implies integrating mental, physical, and spiritual treatments. For instance, massage therapy and yoga are popular methods used in many detox centers.

• Medically Assisted Detox

This method requires using a substitute drug to help a patient overcome dependency. Buprenorphine/Naltrexone, Suboxone, and Benzodiazepines are among the most common, though it has been proved that this method is not enough to help a patient fully recover.

The Next Step

The purpose of detox programs does not end at the cleansing of the body but also works towards preventing individuals from abusing substances in the future, as well as improve their quality of life. The first step towards a full recovery is to seek help.