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WHAT IS MEDICAL DETOX?

medical detox for addiction

Medical detox is a clinically supervised process offered at Resurgence. Medical detox targets the physical dependence associated with drug or alcohol addiction.

During detox, we monitor clients, providing them with treatments designed to reduce the severity of any withdrawal symptoms they may be experiencing.

Once clients overcome their physical dependence on drugs or alcohol, they can then focus on the next phase of treatment that targets their physical and behavioral dependencies.

medical detox for addiction
medical detox for drug addiction

WHEN IS MEDICAL DETOX NECESSARY?

Any individual who is physically dependent on drugs or alcohol is a candidate for medical detox. The onset of withdrawal symptoms indicates the presence of substance dependence. It’s never wise to stop using alone. Medical detox is a safe, clinically supervised treatment. You are likely to require medical detox if you:

  • Have been using drugs or alcohol in large quantities
  • You have been using drugs or alcohol for a lengthy period of time
  • You have experienced a lessening of the substance’s effects over time
  • You have increased the amount of the substance in order to achieve your usual effects
  • You experience cravings for the drug or alcohol when you don’t have access to it
  • You have attempted to stop using the addictive substance but found you could not
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medical detox for drug addiction

DRUGS REQUIRING DETOX

Alcohol is a highly addictive substance. Although alcohol is legal and socially acceptable, excessive alcohol use / abuse can pave the way to addiction. Alcohol addiction causes powerful physical, mental, and behavioral dependence. Without medical detox and other treatments designed to address these dependencies, addiction recovery is unlikely.

Informally known as benzos, benzodiazepines are drugs that are prescribed to treat health conditions such as anxiety and unremitting seizures. The effects they have on the body mimic the effects of alcohol. Benzos like Xanax, Valium, Ativan, and Klonopin are also highly addictive. A person dependent on benzos requires medical detox in order to manage their addiction.

Opioids are drugs derived from the opium poppy or synthesized from drugs derived from this plant. A person may become addicted to an opioid like heroin after a mere couple uses. Heroin addiction is powerful and is unlikely to be managed successfully without rehab treatment that includes clinically supervised detox. 

Prescription drug addiction can be every bit as powerful as an addiction to illicit drugs. Someone addicted to prescription painkillers, sleeping pills, or other medications requires treatment in order to overcome their addiction. Medical detox is the first step in the recovery process. Once a person is no longer physically dependent, they can focus on their psychological dependence.

Stimulants are drugs such as cocaine and methamphetamines. These illicit drugs are highly addictive and associated with high relapse rates. A person is unlikely to manage these addictions without professional help at an addiction treatment center. Medical detox is, invariably, the first step in the recovery process for stimulant addiction.

Synthetic drugs are made with man-made chemicals as opposed to natural ingredients. Synthetic drugs such as ecstasy may be extremely addictive. When combined with other drugs or alcohol, synthetics can be even more dangerous. Once a person becomes addicted to them, they can only overcome the physical dependence with detox.

ADDICTION TREATMENT THAT JUST WORKS

Individualized treatment programs delivered in a comfortable, relaxed setting promote healing in your recovery journey.

HOW LONG DOES DETOX LAST?

Most clients complete the medical detox process in five to seven days. However, there are some variables that affect this time frame, including:

medical detox for alcohol addiction

Type of Substance Used

Some substances are more addictive than others, which is why they’re associated with very high relapse rates. A person addicted to substances like heroin, methamphetamine, or alcohol may require a longer period of time to complete detox. It’s essential for a person to complete this process in order to overcome their physical dependence on the substance in question.

Duration and Frequency of Use

A person who has been addicted for a long period of time and has abused alcohol or drugs frequently may also take longer to complete the detox process. A person who has been addicted for years is apt to require more than a week to complete detox than a person who has been addicted less than a year, but other factors can influence the time frame.

Quantity of Substance Used

Excessive use of drugs or alcohol will also affect the medical detox time frame. Addiction is characterized by periods of substance tolerance. To achieve the same effects, the person must increase their dose. In time, they may again become tolerant to that dose and, so, will increase it again. In this regard, a person used to excessive doses requires more time in detox.

Individual Factors

Each person’s chemistry is unique, and that chemistry can affect the detox time frame. Their chemistry can also impact the intensity of their withdrawal symptoms. Some people may complete detox in under a week. Others require longer. An individual’s health can impact the detox process, which is why clinically supervised detox is the safest course to follow.

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER DETOX?

Effective drug and alcohol treatment targets the physical and psychological aspects of addiction. Medical detox cannot cure addiction; however, it is a crucial first step in the recovery process. Medical detox addresses the physical dependence associated with drug or alcohol addiction. Once the individual overcomes their physical reliance, they can begin the next phase of treatment designed to address the emotional, spiritual, and behavioral aspects of their addiction. After detox, clients typically transition to a residential or partial hospitalization treatment program.

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