Medical Detox Services in the United States
Addiction is a complex disease. Navigating treatment can be just as complex and requires professional guidance and support. One of the first steps towards recovery is medical detox. Medical detox services in the United States provide tools, resources and support for those in need of substance use disorder treatment.
The first and most crucial step toward long-term sobriety is to safely remove toxic substances from the body. Exploring medical detox services in the United States can be a confusing maze of clinical jargon and overwhelming choices. But understanding what these programs entail, how they keep patients safe and what to expect can help clients make better-informed decisions when it comes to their health.
Medical detox programs are designed to help manage symptoms of withdrawal as toxins leave the body. Most medical detox services in the United States provide 24/7 clinical monitoring and outpatient treatment coordination once they have completed detox and residential treatments. Professional intervention, such as medical detox, bridges the gap between active addiction and active recovery.
The dangers of quitting drugs on your own
When someone decides to get sober, the initial instinct is to stop drug use immediately. However, depending on the substance, this can be very dangerous and lead to life-threatening withdrawal symptoms. Quitting cold turkey deprives the brain and body of the substance to which they have become chemically dependent. This shock to the central nervous system can trigger a domino effect of physical and psychological reactions.
When opting for professional medical detox, patients will be placed under the care of experienced medical staff. Professional programs help ensure the safety of each client and if there are any sudden complications during treatment, they can be immediately addressed by doctors and clinicians.
What is the Medical Detox Process
A professional medical detox program provides a structured model to ensure patient safety and comfort. It is part of the continuum of care for those with a drug or alcohol addiction.
- Evaluation. A comprehensive evaluation begins with an in-depth clinical assessment that consists of blood tests, psychiatric screenings, and physical exams. This will help clinicians gauge the severity of the chemical dependency. This data will then be used to help create an individualized detox treatment plan with therapies, nutritional and medicinal support.
- Stabilization. The second most intensive phase is the stabilization process, in which the patient actively discontinues drug use. During this process, doctors and nurses will be there to monitor and manage dangerous withdrawal symptoms that can occur as the body goes into shock and slowly begins to stabilize itself.
- Preparation. Detox is merely the physical stabilization phase of substance use disorder treatment. Once this has been achieved, clients will begin preparing to transition into a comprehensive program consisting of therapies, counseling and medical treatments for long-term healing.
The Benefits of Finding Medical Detox Services in the United States
- Comfort. During substance withdrawal, patients can experience uncomfortable and even painful withdrawal symptoms. Medical detox programs provide 24/7 clinical monitoring where medications can be prescribed and adjusted to make patients feel more at ease during this difficult process. This can be beneficial in young adult programs where detoxing may be especially difficult.
- Hydration and Nutrition. Gastrointestinal issues like vomiting and nausea are common during the detox phase. Professional medical detox programs will provide patients with hydration and proper nutrition needed to help their bodies fight off toxins and heal.
- Medication. Some detoxes require the support of medication assisted treatments (MAT). Withdrawal symptoms can be so painful that it may be too difficult or unsafe to detox without help from medications to help with nausea, diarrhea, muscle aches, cravings, insomnia or anxiety. Over-the-counter medications as well as prescription medications may be provided.
- Emotional Support. Addiction can be an isolating disease. Addiction treatment can be just as lonely. Having a team there throughout a difficult process can be comforting. The support and encouragement you receive from the clinical team during withdrawal can help you through medical detox.
- Safety. Medical detox services in the United States are meant to keep patients safe and comfortable during a difficult transition, both emotionally and physically.
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How to Find Medical Detox Services in the United States
Finding the right medical detox program for you can be overwhelming. There are many options available. When using mind-altering substances, the brain begins to develop a tolerance and dependence on the drug. This is because it gets used to the way it impacts the brain and needs to continue having the chemical present in order to feel normal. When you detox, you abruptly take away that “normal sensation,” which can send the brain and body into chaos as it quickly tries to stabilize itself. This is what causes withdrawal symptoms.
Medical detox aims to keep patients safe and comfortable during toxic substance removal. The cravings and withdrawal symptoms can make detox difficult to bear without professional help. But how can you find professional help?
There are many avenues to finding the right help. Most often, with insured patients, reaching out to their insurance provider can help lead them to a detox program within their policy network. Patients can also seek out professional referrals through their primary care provider, counselor or therapist. These are helpful options when seeking out medical detox services for substance use disorder.
Substance Specific Withdrawal Treatments
Every drug interacts with the brain differently and detox services must be highly specialized in order to be the most effective.
Opioid Withdrawal Management.
The opioid epidemic has been a public health crisis in the United States for decades. Medical detox for opioids typically lasts between 5 to 7 days in which specific medications are often used to help keep the patient comfortable and safe. In order to ease intense physical and psychological cravings, FDA-approved medications like buprenorphine or methadone are often used to help significantly reduce withdrawal severity and intensity.
Alcohol Withdrawal Management
Alcohol dependency withdrawal is notoriously known to be dangerous and extremely uncomfortable. It requires professional support. In severe cases, some people experience delirium tremens. This is a condition characterized by hallucinations, rapid heart rate and seizures. If not treated, it can cause deadly consequences.
Reach out to Hotel California by the Sea
We specialize in treating addiction and other co-occurring disorders, such as PTSD. Our Admissions specialists are available to walk you through the best options for treating your addiction.
Treatment for Substance Use Disorder
Committing to recovery is the best thing you can do for a healthier future. While withdrawal can seem terrifying, professional medical detox services in the United States can completely transform the experience. By opting for clinical care, you will be actively supported, medically protected and treated with the dignity you deserve on your path to recovery. Medical detox does not treat the underlying cause of your addiction, but it is the first step in your addiction recovery.
Professional behavioral health program Hotel California by the Sea provides an all-encompassing treatment program. We offer treatment at all levels of care including detox, residential, PHP and IOP. We utilize evidence-based methods such as CBT, DBT and EMDR therapy. Hotel California by the Sea is dedicated to helping clients reach their goals in sobriety and overcome their addiction.
References:
https://www.addictioncenter.com/treatment/benefits-medical-detox
