Medical Detox: The Process & Effectiveness of Detox

Medical detox is the process of clearing drugs or alcohol from your body. The purpose is to keep withdrawal symptoms manageable as you stop taking those substances. For individuals with a history of drug or alcohol abuse, detox may need medical intervention. There are medications available to help make the transition easier and more comfortable.

Deciding to get help with addiction is the first step toward recovery. It’s important to remember that addiction is a disease and if you’re ready to recover, the first step is medical detox. Withdrawal can be dangerous without proper supervision, so it’s best to go to a medical detox center.

 

cocaine detox

According to the 2018 NSDUH, 14.4 million adults ages 18 and older (5.8 percent of this age group) had Alcohol Use Disorder. This includes 9.2 million men (7.6 percent of men in this age group) and 5.3 million women (4.1 percent of women in this age group).

Drug And Alcohol Detox Process

The first step in medical detox is to find out which substances are circulating in the patient’s bloodstream, and determine their mental state. The patient is then guided through the process of detoxification, which may be done with or without medications.

The final step of detoxification is to prepare the patient for the recovery process. Drug detoxification only deals with the physical dependency and addiction to drugs but does not address the psychological aspects of drug addiction. This stage entails obtaining agreement from the patient to complete the process by enrolling in a drug rehabilitation program.

Medication-Assisted Detox

For some substance use disorders, medication is necessary to help manage cravings, deal with withdrawal symptoms, and stabilize a patient’s mental state. We offer a medication-assisted detox program using a variety of medications to assist patients in gradually overcoming the physical symptoms of addiction.

Detox Safety Protocols

Deciding to get help with addiction is the first step toward healing. The next step is going through the withdrawal process, which can be a difficult and painful time. The safest way to do this is with a medical detox program at a drug detox center. With medical staff on hand 24/7, you’ll have access to top-notch medical care at all times.

Symptoms Treated During Detox

Drugs and alcohol change your body’s brain chemistry. Therefore, when you stop using drugs, this causes severe physical, emotional, and psychological effects on your body and brain. Some of these symptoms include:

  • Shaking
  • Irregular heartbeat
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Fatigue
  • Insomnia
  • Depression
  • Hallucinations
  • Sweating

 

heroin withdrawal

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Treatment Protocols For Sustained Sobriety

Detox is an essential first step of recovery, but studies have shown that detox alone is not sufficient for overcoming addiction. At NewVista, we are more than just a medical detox program. We offer the full list of additional treatment services, including:

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Multiple Locations to Get Started in Recovery

Detox With Dignity At Ethan Crossing Drug and Alcohol Treatment Centers

If you choose Ethan Crossing for treatment you can expect a high level of support at our substance abuse treatment centers. We are with you throughout your entire journey. We have designed our facilities so you feel both safe and comfortable during your stay. Additionally, we offer a calm environment for destimulation, wellness services, and a game and lounge area. Our team treats addiction alongside co-occurring mental health needs. This allows us to set you up for success at every step of your treatment journey.

Find a Drug or Alcohol Treatment Center

Finding a substance use treatment center is a bit tricky when you don’t know where to start. Contact us and we can walk you through our services and processes.