In the process of treating substance-use disorders, every person will have varying needs. For instance, one might have severe to mild disorder depending on the symptoms they have. Also, the care the patient will require will depend on the category of their disorder. For instance, some individuals with substance use disorder become dependent on the drug they are using such that they have withdrawal symptoms when they stop taking it suddenly. In reality, the impacts of withdrawal on their mind and body might be dangerous and uncomfortable. That is where drug detox plays a critical role. Continue to read the guide below to find out about drug detox.
What is drug detox?
It is a natural process of removing drug substances from the body. However, a medically managed detox program encompasses different interventions such as medications to manage the side effects associated with quitting drugs safely.
What is the process of detoxification?
Medical detoxification of drug substances entails the following steps:
Evaluation
In this case, the therapists at the rehab center will perform a comprehensive evaluation of the patient’s psychological and physical condition and history. The first evaluation might involve the doctors assessing the patient’s withdrawal, acute intoxication, and biomedical conditions. After that, the clinicians can recommend the ideal detoxification level and establish a customized treatment program.
Stabilization
This step encompasses the rehab centers adhering to a customized treatment plan and the prescribed medications and therapies to help the patient undergo a safe drug withdrawal experience.
Preparing entry into treatment
The therapists will familiarize the patients with the available treatment processes and the expectations. Combining the detox program with other treatment approaches increases the patient’s chances of avoiding relapse and sustaining their recovery. Admittedly, detoxification alone might not assist the addict in sustaining a lasting recovery because it does not address the complex social and psychological aspects of substance use and abuse.
Drug detox during pregnancy
Most pregnant women might develop a strong motive to quit drinking alcohol or consuming other drugs to protect their unborn babies. In reality, the use of drugs or alcohol throughout pregnancy can harm the mother and the fetus. That is because the drug substances can pass through the placenta into the fetus.
A detox might contribute to stress on the fetus, leading to severe fetal distress or preterm labor. However, pregnant women need medically supervised detox because drug withdrawal symptoms might be detrimental to the fetus. Notably, detox purposes are to manage pain and prevent relapse among pregnant women. Fortunately, professional detox doctors know the strategies to keep pregnant women healthy and baby safe during the detoxification process. For instance, they might prescribe medications to stabilize the condition of the mother. Research indicates that opiate and alcohol detox tend to pose significant risks to fetuses.
Side effects of drug detox
People undergoing a substance abuse detox might experience varied side effects of drug withdrawal. In this case, the effects will depend on the substance consumed. However, the most common ones include
- Cravings for drugs after trying to quit
- Body changes including headaches, nausea, shaking, and symptoms
- Mood changes including agitation, depression, anxiety, and mood swings
Can you detox at home?
Most drug addicts opt to use drugs sold over the counter to make their detox experience comfortable and safe. However, it might be challenging to continue with the detoxification program as required within the home environment. That is because one might find aspects or people who might influence them to return to drug use or trigger a relapse. Therefore, you must visit a drug rehab facility near you to talk with your therapist or physicians about how to detox in a safe environment and the available treatment options. Depending on your location and their admittance capacity, you can even find facilities that provide same-day drug detox.
Although detox is a powerful approach used in most drug treatment centers, it is only the first stage of substance addiction treatment. Therefore, treatment facilities employ approaches that address the drug abuse of the patient and the associated legal, vocational, social, psychological, and medical issues. If you want to see more about substance abuse detox, you can look at the rehab Austin-based.
