What is Drug and Alcohol Detox?
Most of our clients start their personalized treatment journey at our Malibu drug and alcohol detox center to build a strong foundation for long-term health and recovery. The detox process involves ridding the body of drugs, alcohol, and other harmful substances. Our alcohol and drug detox in California is equipped to treat a variety of withdrawal symptoms stemming from many types of substance use disorders.
Detox can be a challenging and potentially dangerous part of the early recovery process. As drugs and alcohol leave the body, many people experience uncomfortable or painful withdrawal symptoms. A common misconception is that quitting “cold turkey” or suddenly is the best way to remove drugs and alcohol from the body; however, this method can be dangerous and even deadly if done without proper guidance from an addiction treatment center
What to Expect From Drug and Alcohol Detox at Our Addiction Treatment Center
At our treatment facility, we understand that addiction treatment can’t be one-size-fits-all. Someone recovering from prescription drug addiction might require a completely different treatment than someone overcoming an opioid use disorder. For this reason, our luxury detox center offers a medically supervised detox program customized to meet the needs of each individual. With a diverse team of health care professionals who craft specialized programs tailored to each person, clients benefit from an array of therapies, tools, resources, and mental health services to help them find lasting health and recovery. To safely ween clients off of addictive substances and manage withdrawal symptoms, our addiction treatment providers only use the most effective treatment methods and addiction medicine.
To ensure that you receive care tailored to your unique needs, we conduct a thorough medical assessment to understand your addictions, medical history, prior treatments, and how we can assist you in the detox process. Following your evaluation, your personalized detox plan will be carried out under medical supervision at our drug rehabilitation center. Our expert staff will help you navigate withdrawal symptoms and ensure comfort and stability as you gain physical freedom from drugs and alcohol.
Malibu Detox Treatment Centers Detox & Mental Health Services
As one of the most highly accredited treatment providers in California, we provide the utmost care and support 24 hours per day to ensure our clients are safe and comfortable throughout the detox process. Being well cared for, both physically and emotionally, during one of the most challenging stages of substance abuse treatment is crucial for long-term success. With unparalleled accommodations and guidance, the expert therapists at our detox centers in California can help you or a loved one break free from addiction once and for all.
Our five drug and alcohol rehab centers in Malibu provide a beautiful, serene and discreet environment to help individuals throughout addiction recovery. It can be challenging to begin addiction treatment in a harmful environment with the presence of drugs and alcohol around. It can often take a new location with the help of licensed treatment specialists to uncover triggers, adapt positive coping skills, and heal from trauma and challenging past experiences.
We believe that recovery from substance abuse is possible for everyone, and our goal is to ensure every client we serve receives the highest quality care. Take the first step towards a healthier life today—call (424) 234-2027 now for more information on our treatment programs, health insurance coverage, and more. We are available to answer any questions or concerns you have and provide personalized treatment plans that can help you achieve your sobriety goals as quickly and safely as possible.
What Does Detox Entail?
At our Malibu drug and alcohol detox centers, we walk patients through the detoxification process step by step and provide the support and care needed during challenging times. Our safe and comfortable detox services are for those detoxing from alcohol or drugs, including but not limited to opioids, heroin, benzodiazepines, and more.
The duration of a typical stay is between 7-14 days; however, that timeframe can vary based on the severity of addiction, withdrawal symptoms, and any co-occurring disorders. To safely ween clients off of addictive substances and manage withdrawal symptoms, our addiction treatment providers only use the most effective treatment methods and addiction medicine.
Detox Timeline
The detox timeline depends on the individual and their substance of choice but typically takes anywhere from 1-2 weeks.
Stage 1: Clinical Assessment
During this stage, a clinical and medical assessment of your needs will be conducted. We want to ensure that we provide you with the best care possible and address any underlying issues or conditions.
Stage 2: Stabilization
Once the assessment is complete, we provide stabilization and medical care to achieve a safe and comfortable detox experience. Our team will be available 24/7 to help you through every step of the process, including any physical or emotional symptoms that may arise during withdrawal.
Stage 3: Reintegration
During the last stage of the detox process, clients will be gradually reintroduced to normal activities and begin their journey toward sobriety. Clients may attend group or individual counseling sessions or participate in holistic therapies such as yoga, meditation, or journaling to aid in their recovery.
With our detox program, you can rest assured that you are in the best hands during this difficult time. We strive to provide compassionate care and ensure that clients have access to the support they need. Our team is dedicated to helping each patient find lasting health and sobriety through customized treatment services and evidence-based therapies.
Services Offered at Our Detox Centers in California
At our alcohol and drug detox centers, we offer various services to help make the detox process as safe, comfortable, and successful as possible. Some of these services include:
- 24-hour medical monitoring and care
- Medication-assisted treatment (MAT)
- Safe and comfortable living accommodations
- Nutritional support
- Group therapy
- Individual counseling
- 12-step meetings and other evidence-based therapies
Our team of highly qualified professionals will provide the best care and support possible to help our clients achieve a successful detox and start their journey of recovery.
Who Benefits from Drug and Alcohol Detox?
Studies show that more than one out of every seven Americans over the age of 12 meet the criteria for a substance abuse disorder. Young adults are especially prone to experiencing substance abuse disorders. Substance abuse issues may include binge drinking, opiate addiction, or other types of drug abuse. That said, detox can be for anyone. Regardless of a person’s background, age, gender, race, or religion, anyone can develop a substance use disorder. Addiction is a chronic, incurable mental health disease that is progressive. It can worsen until you seek help.
When you contact the admissions department at Malibu Detox, we can help determine if detox is right for you. Generally speaking, we recommend this type of substance abuse treatment for individuals who:
- Have been using drugs and/or alcohol for more than two weeks
- Have a high level of physical dependence on a substance
- Are looking to make a long-term commitment to recovery
- Want access to an experienced, compassionate medical and psychiatric team to safely manage withdrawal symptoms
For most treatment seekers, detox serves as the ideal entryway into our comprehensive California addiction treatment centers. At Malibu Detox, we focus on providing personalized care to help individuals break their physical addiction to drugs and alcohol safely and comfortably. Our programs are tailored towards helping adults ages 18 years or older who struggle with substance abuse issues such as alcohol, opioids, benzodiazepines, and/or other drugs. When you contact the admissions department at Malibu Detox, we can help determine if detox is right for you.
Understanding Substance Abuse Withdrawal Symptoms
The intensity and severity of your withdrawal symptoms depend on what substance you are addicted to and how much and how often you use it. If you have co-occurring or comorbid conditions, withdrawal symptoms can be more intense. In some cases, such as with an opioid addiction, withdrawal symptoms can even be life-threatening. Some of the most common withdrawal symptoms include:
- Body aches and pains
- Sweats, chills, and tremors
- Mood changes, anxiety, depression, and paranoia
- Insomnia and exhaustion
- Muscle cramping and restless legs
- Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
Our drug rehab center in Malibu, California, is run by highly experienced treatment specialists who will carry out your medically supervised detox, give you professional treatment advice and ensure you are safe and comfortable during withdrawal. In many instances, during medical detox, a treatment provider will help to reduce or alleviate your symptoms through medication-assisted treatment and other substance abuse services while preparing you to transition to one of our inpatient treatment centers in Southern California.
What Substances are Commonly Associated with Difficult or Dangerous Withdrawal?
Unfortunately, withdrawal is not an easy process on the body. For individuals who have an addiction left untreated, their body begins to develop a physical dependence on harmful substances such as drugs and alcohol. Once deciding to overcome drug and alcohol addiction, you may think you can stop using the substance immediately; however, this process should be done carefully and methodically under the supervision of a trained medical provider. Listed below are some of the substances associated with dangerous withdrawal symptoms.
Alcohol
It may surprise you that the most severe of all withdrawals from drug and alcohol abuse are a result of excessive alcohol consumption. Many clients come to our alcohol detox center suffering from tremors, paranoia, jitters, and shakes. The most dangerous withdrawal symptoms are named Delirium Tremens (DT) and involve symptoms such as hallucinations, seizures, and respiratory failure. If you or a loved one are seeking treatment for alcohol abuse, our detox and recovery programs can help you.
Benzodiazepines
Xanax, Valium, and Klonopin are sedative medications generally used to treat anxiety and other conditions. These drugs can lead to life-threatening complications during the withdrawal process and often result in hallucinations, seizures, and tremors. To lower the odds of dangerous complications, clients participate in our professional drug and alcohol detox program.
Cocaine
Opioids
Opioids are a class of illegal and prescription drugs, including heroin, oxycodone (OxyContin), (hydrocodone), Vicodin, morphine, fentanyl, and many more. Many individuals who try to stop opioids ‘cold-turkey’ experience flu-like symptoms that last for several days to a week or longer.
Amphetamines
Illicit drugs like methamphetamines and prescription drugs like Ritalin and Adderall boost nervous system activity. Many times, users getting off of amphetamines have episodes of psychosis and other unusual brain activity.
Treating Different Types of Substance Use Withdrawal
At our alcohol and drug detox in California, we understand that each substance use disorder requires specialized treatment in order to help our clients recover from their symptoms.
Different substances have different effects on the mind and body, and developing customized treatment plans is an essential component of our recovery model.
While each client gets an individualized treatment plan, the template for that plan starts with the type of substance that’s been misused. Below, we’ve outlined the challenges to achieving recovery associated with some of the most commonly misused substances and how our team works to help our clients recover.
Alcohol Detox
Alcohol is a powerful central nervous system depressant that can have devastating effects on both the mind and body. Alcohol withdrawals can be dangerous and life-threatening, and they often require targeted intervention in order for people to achieve recovery safely.
While alcohol has many effects, the primary mechanism of action is through the neurotransmitter GABA. GABA is the neurotransmitter responsible for calming the central nervous system. It can slow breathing, make you feel relaxed, and reduce the feeling of anxiety.
Alcohol enhances the effect of your body’s natural GABA levels, producing the feeling of drunkenness and relaxation.
When people develop an alcohol use disorder, their brains adjust to alcohol’s relaxing effects, and their baseline brain activity becomes more stimulated. When they suddenly stop drinking, this leads to overstimulation and results in the following withdrawal symptoms:
Shakes
Anxiety
Restlessness
Sweating
Seizures
The seizures from alcohol withdrawal can be fatal. It’s imperative that people recovering from an alcohol use disorder seek treatment at an alcohol detox in order to safely pass through the withdrawal stage.
Our alcohol detox center in California manages these symptoms through a technique known as a medical taper. By providing our clients with medications that calm the central nervous system, many of their withdrawal symptoms can be alleviated or entirely removed. This makes the process much safer, more comfortable, and more achievable.
Additionally, many people will need targeted vitamin supplementation during alcohol withdrawals. Chronic alcohol use leads to deficiencies in vitamins and minerals, such as thiamine, which, if not treated appropriately, can lead to long-term brain damage.
All of these factors, and more, play into the treatment of alcohol withdrawal at Malibu Detox.
Benzodiazepine Detox
Benzodiazepines include a wide range of prescription drugs, including:
Xanax (alprazolam)
Valium (diazepam)
Klonopin (clonazepam)
Restoril (temazepam)
Like alcohol, these drugs are central nervous system depressants that influence the GABA system. Benzodiazepine withdrawal shares many similarities to alcohol withdrawal, including a similar set of symptoms, dangers, and treatment options.
Benzodiazepine withdrawal can be deadly if not treated by a drug detox center in California, and it is highly recommended that you reach out to professionals before attempting to address a benzodiazepine use disorder.
Benzodiazepines, like alcohol, are treated with a medical taper. This typically means that a detox professional will prescribe and administer an alternative form of benzodiazepines and slowly lower the dosage you take over time.
Depending on the type and quantity of benzodiazepines you’ve used, the withdrawal process for benzodiazepines can take up to two weeks.
Opioid Detox
Opioid withdrawals are among the most uncomfortable drug withdrawals that people can experience. While not typically dangerous, the severe nature of physical and mental withdrawal symptoms can lead many people to return to active substance use rather than complete this difficult initial period of sobriety.
Opioids are a broad category of drugs, including both prescription and illicit substances. Examples of opioids include:
Oxycontin (oxycodone)
Vicodin (hydrocodone)
Morphine
Fentanyl and fentanyl analogues
Heroin
Codeine
All of these drugs work in a similar fashion. They bind to opioid receptors throughout the brain and body, blocking pain signals from reaching the brain. This is why they are commonly prescribed as painkillers. However, latching on to these opioid receptors also causes an intense wave of euphoria, which frequently leads to substance misuse and addiction.
After people have used opioids for an extended period, they become dependent on the drug and tolerant to its effects. Whereas using opioids may have once produced waves of euphoria and relaxation, many people begin to only feel “normal” when they have taken a large dose of opioids for the day.
And when they suddenly stop, they experience debilitating withdrawal symptoms that are often compared to the flu. This includes runny nose, diarrhea, shakes, chills, and nausea, typically paired with an intense drug craving for more opioids.
These symptoms are incredibly uncomfortable and lead many people to return to active substance use rather than continue the path to recovery.
Thankfully, several evidence-based treatments exist for opioid withdrawals. Targeted medications can activate the same opioid receptors that prescription or illicit substances do but to a much lesser degree. Thus, they alleviate withdrawal symptoms without producing a euphoric rush.
These medications can almost entirely eliminate the uncomfortable symptoms of withdrawal and are offered at our opioid drug detox in California. While recovery is never easy, these medications make it much more achievable.
Stimulant Detox
Stimulants include illicit drugs, such as cocaine, crack, and methamphetamine, as well as prescription drugs, such as Ritalin and Adderall. These drugs work differently than the other substances listed above. Rather than depressing the central nervous system, they speed it up to high levels.
In the short term, this causes feelings like:
A wave of restless energy
Increased focus
A false sense of confidence
Higher body temperature
Increased breathing
Profuse sweating
When a person stops using these substances, they often develop withdrawal symptoms suddenly. These symptoms involve the exact opposite effects of the stimulants themselves and include:
Chronic fatigue
Lack of motivation
Depression
Anxiety
The symptoms of stimulant withdrawal are often less noticeable than other addictive drugs. They are typically invisible symptoms, more rooted in mental health effects than physical ones. But they can still be treated with targeted services at our drug detox in California.
Treatment for stimulant withdrawal offers supportive medications, a comfortable place to recover, and separation from a person’s normal environment. Anyone can recover from stimulant addiction, provided they reach out for help.
What Happens After Detox?
Studies suggest that individuals who enter into inpatient treatment following detox have a higher success rate of long-term sobriety. After the successful completion of our detox program, most of our clients are ready to transition into our inpatient treatment program. At this level of care, individuals receive around-the-clock support from our team of experienced professionals as they begin to build a foundation for recovery. While at our inpatient facility, clients have access to evidence-based therapies such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and motivational enhancement therapy.
Clients also benefit from individual and group counseling sessions and amenities such as a fitness center, indoor and outdoor recreational activities, nutritious meals prepared by our on-site chef, and more. Our goal is to provide supportive care and resources that will empower individuals to progress through the recovery process, one step at a time. Following residential treatment, most clients participate in partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient rehab, or general outpatient services.
Get Help Today
When you’re stuck in the cycle of addiction, you can experience hopelessness, isolation, and frustration. Reaching out for help and finding the right program for you is a major first step in your recovery journey. Whether you need detox, residential treatment, dual diagnosis treatment, partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient programs, outpatient treatment, sober living, or treatment for co-occurring mental health disorders, we can help. Our drug rehab centers offer comprehensive treatment designed to help you get through withdrawal, treat the underlying causes of addiction and develop the skills needed for lasting sobriety. All drug rehab programs at our treatment center include individual therapy, group therapy, family therapy/family counseling, support groups, mental health services, and more.
Contact our Malibu, California, drug and alcohol rehab and detox center today at (424) 234-2027 to discuss your personalized addiction treatment plan. We accept most major and private insurance plans and will work with you to navigate your coverage to minimize out-of-pocket expenses. Our admissions staff looks forward to speaking with you.
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