Medical detox is a supervised process designed to help individuals safely and effectively withdraw from drugs or alcohol with both emotional and physical support.Â
Specifically, medical detox includes receiving 24/7 support from licensed medical professionals to ensure you are hydrated and overall healthy during the detox process. Medications can also be administered depending on the severity of withdrawal symptoms.
Emotional and Physical Support During Drug and Alcohol Detox
During a drug detox, you’ll receive high-quality care that involves both physical and emotional support:
Physical Support
The physical support you receive will involve managing your withdrawal symptoms to ensure you stay safe and healthy. Depending on the severity of your symptoms, medications can be provided to help reduce their effect, prevent complications, and keep you as comfortable as possible. You’ll also receive around-the-clock care consisting of blood pressure and heart rate monitoring, as well as providing you with proper nutrition and hydration.
Emotional Support
Detoxing can be stressful and taxing not just on the body but also emotionally, especially when the cravings and more intense withdrawal symptoms begin. The emotional support you receive will consist of care provided by therapists who can be part of the detox process when needed. They’re able to help you manage and process a wide variety of feelings that might come up, including anxiety, depression, and many others.
What To Expect From the Drug Detox Process
The symptoms of drug and alcohol withdrawal during detox can be anywhere from mild to moderate or severe. They can include headaches, nausea, vomiting, changes in mood, difficulty sleeping, sweating, decrease in blood pressure, and many others. In severe cases, hallucinations and seizures can occur.Â
These symptoms can begin as soon as 24 hours after discontinuing drug use and can last anywhere from 7 to 14 days. The severity of your symptoms will depend on several factors including how long you’ve been using drugs, the type of drugs you’ve been using, the amount of drugs you’ve been taking, as well as your current health.Â
Examination and Assessment
After being admitted into a drug addiction treatment program, you’ll be fully evaluated by licensed medical professionals. The purpose is for staff to understand your current health and history with addiction so that you can receive the best level of care and support for your needs (including during the medical detox).Â
During Medical Detox
Once the detox begins, the team will ensure you’re staying safe and healthy. They’ll periodically check your blood pressure, make sure you’re staying hydrated, and check in with you to see if there’s anything you need.Â
Medications will be prescribed if needed to help diminish the effects of withdrawal symptoms.Â
Common Withdrawal Symptoms
As mentioned, there is a large range of withdrawal symptoms that can occur during a drug detox, which include:Â
- Nausea
- Irritability
- Headaches
- Anxiety
- Changes in mood
- Vomiting
- Changes in blood pressure
- Excessive sweating
- Difficulty sleeping
More severe symptoms can include hallucinations, seizures, and others some drugs are more likely to require participation in a medical detox program than others. Those include:
- Alcohol
- Benzos
- Heroin
- Fentanyl
- Cocaine
- Meth
- Opioids
- Opiates
- And others
What are the Benefits of Medical Detox?
There are many benefits associated with medical drug and alcohol detox. In addition to receiving emotional and physical support, the advantages include:Â
- Receive care in a safe environment
- Access support needed to keep you healthy during the detox process (including from medical staff and support groups within the facility)
- Decreased cravings for drugs
- Reduce the chance of relapsing
- Feel physically and emotionally better when you begin inpatient treatment after detox
Are You a Candidate for Medical Detox?
Many people who abuse drugs end up needing a medical detox before beginning their addiction treatment program. This is because detox clears the drugs out of your system, making it possible to be emotionally and physically ready to engage and participate in therapy sessions that are part of substance abuse treatment.
It’s typically recommended to participate in a medication assisted treatment program for detox if you’ve been using drugs 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, and/or want access to an experienced medical team that can safely manage your withdrawal symptoms.
Detox Safely from Drugs and Alcohol at Malibu Detox
At Malibu Detox, we understand the importance of family support and connection being part of the recovery process for addiction. If you are someone who is struggling with drug or alcohol addiction and seeking addiction treatment (including for co occurring mental health conditions) our substance abuse treatments serve as a catalyst to help you overcome your addiction and reach the long-term sobriety you need. We accept most major and private insurance plans and work with you to minimize out-of-pocket expenses.
