Detox Treatment In OK.
Many addicts avoid starting the process of recovery because of the detox process. However, medically supervised treatment centers help those with substance use disorder take a critical step to achieve their goal of long-term sobriety. Detoxification, or detox treatment, rids the body of residual toxins from drug abuse, but it shouldn’t be mistaken for drug and/or alcohol rehab.
Requirements for detox differ from client to client, and anyone with an addiction should avoid the “cold turkey” approach. It’s not useful, safe or appropriate. Considering that procedures for the detoxification process are different for each addiction, Drug Rehab OK uses safe, secure and medically proven methods that provide a customized experience for every patient.
Two Ways to Detox
There are two types of detox methods: medically supervised and the social model. Health-care experts can decide whether medically supervised withdrawal or the social model for detoxification is necessary depending on:
- Kind of substance being abused
- Length of abuse
- Patient’s age
- Patient’s mental state
- Patient’s physical health
- The type of atmosphere the experts think would most benefit the patient
Medically supervised detox is generally recommended for people addicted to:
- Alcohol
- Pain medications (prescription or pharmaceutical)
- Barbiturates or sedatives (benzodiazepines, Xanax, valium)
- Opioids (heroin, Oxycodone, morphine, hydrocodone, methadone)
The drugs listed above cause extremely painful and unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Many of those symptoms can be minimized by specific detox medications that can only be prescribed by a medical doctor. It is also recommended that individuals who have a drug and alcohol addiction or have a severe alcohol addiction go through medically supervised detoxification. Medically supervised detoxification centers use certain medications to stop the worst physical symptoms that arise during withdrawal, such as hallucinations, seizures or other physical and/or psychological problems that those who quit “cold turkey” often experience.
Additionally, anyone who has a life-threatening disease, has been diagnosed with certain psychological conditions or experienced hallucinations or seizures must undergo medically supervised withdrawal. It’s the best way for patients to correctly and safely wean themselves from alcohol or drugs.
Social detoxification is most effective for people who are likely to only experience mild withdrawal symptoms from using substances such as:
- Marijuana
- Methamphetamine
- Cocaine
- Infrequent use of opioids
- Infrequent use of alcohol
Patients who undergo the social method of detoxification are supervised by nurses, counselors and therapists who manage the patient’s’ health. They also try to assist patients during the withdrawals and cravings without the use of medications. In social detox, patients are not isolated in clinical rooms as they withdraw but are urged to live alongside and socialize with other patients who are also in treatment. This helps patients prepare for a rehab program where they will be working toward long-term recovery with the support of fellow patients.
Detox Treatment Differ Based on Drugs Used
We understand that various types of drugs can result in a wide range of withdrawal symptoms, making it critical for patients to participate in a detox program prior to entering a treatment facility. It’s extremely important to stop using depressants (like barbiturates, opioids, benzodiazepines and alcohol) slowly and by progressively cutting back because the withdrawal symptoms can include:
- Tremors
- Hallucinations
- Seizures
- Higher body temperature
- Increased heart rate
- Increased blood pressure
Stimulant withdrawal (for example, amphetamines, methamphetamine, cocaine and Ritalin) is psychological and therefore normally does not require much more than emotional support from family members, friends, counselors and therapists. However, doctors occasionally suggest medicine to prevent stimulant psychosis, which can cause:
- Suicide attempts
- Suicidal feelings
- Psychosis
- Paranoia
Withdrawal from opioids such as heroin, morphine, codeine, methadone, hydrocodone and oxycodone, result in a range of symptoms from minor discomfort to severe health risks, including:
- Sweating
- Runny nose
- Anxiety
- Sleeplessness
- Depression
- Rapid breathing
- Quickening pulse
- Muscle pain
- Bone sensitivity
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
Detox Treatment is Not Recovery
Detoxification is an important step toward recovering from substance dependency, but it’s ONLY a first step and is NOT a substitute for a rehabilitation program. Although many detox centers do not provide guidance or follow up after detox, Drug Rehab OK knows how easy it can be to relapse after detox if the patient doesn’t immediately transfer to a drug and alcohol rehabilitation program.
Recovery can only be successfully achieved when detox is used in combination with drug or alcohol rehab. If you need detox and are ready to enter rehabilitation, please call 405-583-4309 for more information concerning detoxification, rehabilitation and drug and alcohol treatment services.