Options In Drug And Alcohol Detox

Over 23 million people in the United States are addicted to drugs or alcohol, according to research conducted by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Although street drugs are sometimes the cause of addiction, millions of people are abusing prescription drugs, such as painkillers. Once drug abuse develops, it can be difficult to break free. Various methods of drug and alcohol detox are available to help addicts on the road to recovery.

Symptoms Of Drug And Alcohol Withdrawal

Drug and alcohol withdrawal symptoms develop due to both the physical and psychological dependency on a substance. When someone uses a drug long-term or on a regular basis, their brain gets used to the substance.

It is also important to understand that addiction can develop more or less quickly depending on the drug a person uses. An individual’s age and genetics also play a role in how fast addiction develops. In some cases, it is possible to become addicted to a substance after only short-term use. Depending on how severe the addiction is, withdrawal symptoms can start about eight to 12 hours after the last use of the drug. 

The acute stage often causes physical symptoms, such as vomiting, diarrhea, fever and muscle and stomach cramps. Sweating, shaking and irritability are also common. Some people also have insomnia and become paranoid.  Acute withdrawal symptoms may last about a week, with symptoms peaking within the first three days. As physical symptoms taper off, psychological symptoms may continue for weeks or even months. 

Post-acute withdrawal syndrome is considered the second stage of drug or alcohol withdrawals.

Symptoms often include memory problems, difficulty concentration and anxiety. 

What Is Drug Detox?

In many cases, people who are addicted to drugs are unable to stop because they cannot deal with withdrawal symptoms. They may not use to get high as much as to prevent developing withdrawal symptoms. Detox is often an effective first step in helping someone battling addiction. According to National Institute of Drug Abuse, detox is the process of ridding the body of the substance while managing withdrawal symptoms. The body needs time to re-balance and adjust to not having the drug on a regular basis.

Although it is possible for someone to go “cold turkey” and detox on their own without medical supervision, it can be difficult. The emotional and physical symptoms may be too difficult for someone to deal with on their own, resulting in continued drug use. In addition, in some cases, severe withdrawal symptoms are possible. For example, seizures can develop when withdrawing from alcohol abuse. In order to increase the chances of success and be safer, medically supervised detox programs have become common in treating drug and alcohol addiction. 

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The detox process can vary in length, depending on which drugs a person was using and how frequently. Although medical detox is often needed to beat addiction, it is not the only treatment that is needed. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, while detoxification is often successful in managing withdrawals symptoms, it is just the first step.

Approaches To Detox: Different Paths Towards Freedom

The drug detox process can seem overwhelming at first. The fear of symptoms can make a person hesitant to enter detox, and not all approaches work for everyone. But there are options in the detox process.   

Methods Of Drug Detox

Different types of drug detox programs are available. The type of program that may work best for an individual varies according to several factors. For example, some people are comfortable doing an inpatient detox program while other prefer to detox at home. Below are a few detox options to consider.

A person undergoing rapid detox most do so in a treatment facility and be medical supervised. The process involves placing a person under anesthesia and administering drugs which accelerate the detox process. Since the patient is sedated, they do not feel the withdrawal symptoms. Although it may seem like a quick fix, rapid detox can have complications. Being under anesthesia for extended periods of time can have risks.  

Another type of detox process is conventional medical management either at home or in a treatment center.  Conventional medical management detox involves the use of various medications, such as methadone, to reduce withdrawal symptoms. During the acute stage, inpatient treatment is usually advised. But patients can continue their medication regimen at home after the acute phase.        

Staying Clean And Sober After Detox

A comprehensive treatment program is needed to help someone remain drug-free. Detox may help someone get through withdrawals, but it does not prevent the cravings or psychological addiction to the drug. A drug treatment program should include long-term management and support. Long-term support should include individual and family counseling to help an individual deal with issues, which may have led to drug or alcohol abuse. Family counseling can address dynamics, which contributed to addiction.

In addition to drug or alcohol abuse, an individual may also have other mental health issues, such as depression, anxiety or post-traumatic stress syndrome. A comprehensive program should also offer treatment for those with a dual diagnosis. After completing a detox program, it is important to have continued medical care. Physical conditions, such as pain, which may have led to self-medication with alcohol or drugs needs to be treated.

Education also needs to be part of a detox and treatment program. Participants need to understand their triggers for drug use and how to deal with cravings. Relapse prevention is another essential component of treatment, which is needed after detox. In some instances, life skills classes can be helpful. For instance, life skills classes can teach someone how to deal with everyday activities and responsibilities they may not have dealt with while abusing drugs.   

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