Medical Detox For Drugs & Alcohol Addiction and Dependency

Q: What’s the Best Way to Find a Drug Detox Center Near Me?

Speaking directly with your physician or therapist, locating a drug detox center through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), or calling a drug addiction helpline like ours at Magnified Health Systems is a great first step. Many drug detox centers have different philosophies and finding a program you are comfortable with is very important. Magnified Health Systems offers a 24/7 confidential drug addiction helpline staffed with caring professionals with experience in recovery.

Q: What precautions must be taken during detoxification?

For one week, abstain from foods and beverages that have no nutritional value, including sugar, alcohol, excessive caffeine, soda, sugar substitutes, and processed foods. Provide your body with foods rich in nutrients so that it can use those nutrients to perform tasks.

Q: Are There Side Effects To Detox?

You will feel hungry and possibly weak. The safety of a detox diet is contingent on the diet's design and duration. Most individuals do not feel good on low-calorie, nutrient-deficient diets. Low energy, low blood sugar, muscle pains, weariness, dizziness or lightheadedness, and nausea are potential adverse effects.

Q: What Are The Steps To Detoxing?

The three phases of healthy detoxification consist of the production of water-soluble intermediaries, the neutralizing of hazardous water-soluble intermediaries, and the elimination of the neutralized intermediaries.

Q: How long do detox reactions last?

The unpleasant symptoms of detoxing typically subside within a few days to a week, but there is no need to endure them for a moment longer than necessary.

Q: When is the best time to detox?

Since our body's needs are constantly changing, spring or fall is the ideal time for detoxification. A fall or winter detox provides your body with a much-needed energy boost and reduces harmful pollutants.

Q: How Do You Know If You Need To Detox?

You may need detoxification if you feel the following symptoms: Frequent and unexplained fatigue : If you have weariness, indigestion, or headaches, then you may need detoxing. Detoxing can boost your energy and vitality. It removes toxins and wastes that hinder digestion. Poor gastrointestinal elimination: Small amounts of zinc, copper, iron, chromium, and manganese are required for proper physiological function. Heavy metal poisoning can occur if your body accumulates too many of these elements. A detox program can aid in the removal of heavy metals from the body. Allergies: Detoxing may reduce your sensitivity to some foods. Constipation, bloating, and gas are common lactose and gluten intolerance symptoms. Some people experience severe allergic responses after eating particular foods, including hives, throat and mouth swelling, difficulty breathing, and other symptoms. Other symptoms include skin irritation, signs of a weak immune system, puffy eyes, and bloating.

Last Updated August 9, 2022

Medical detoxification is available for you if you need to get drugs or alcohol out of your system. For many who abuse drugs or are alcoholics, the withdrawal can be intense, scary and even dangerous.With a medical and clinical team on your side, it can make the process easier and less daunting.

What is Medical Detox for Drug & Alcohol Use Disorder?

Medical Detox for drug and alcohol use is the first step in process of recovery that involves cleansing the body of all illicit substances. The process for detox varies based on the substances being abused, duration of use, and physical and mental condition amongst other factors. When someone enters a detox program, the immediate goal is to minimize the withdrawal symptoms associated with detox so you can move on to rehab and eventually outpatient treatment. No two people experience detox the same way. The type of substance and how long it was used impact the detox experience. The process can last days, weeks, or even months, depending on a variety of factors such as the severity of the abuse disorder and the method of abuse.

What are the Side Effects of Drug Detox?

The goal of medical detox is to lessen the side effects that come from withdrawal symptoms. The most common symptoms treated during detox include the following:

Anxiety and depression
Mood swings
Headaches and muscle pain
Insomnia
Nausea and vomiting
Sweating
Tremors
Difficulty concentrating

What’s the Process of Detoxification?

Detox is the beginning of recovery. Detoxification is a three-step process: Evaluation, stabilization, and long-term treatment. Detoxing from commonly abused drugs can lead to various side effects. Many of them are uncomfortable, and some can be dangerous. Medical detox programs ensure those with drug dependencies can remove the substances.

Evaluation

When someone comes to us for detoxification, we first evaluate their status with a full medical evaluation. Within that evaluation, we consider both mental and physical health. We’ll develop a plan to stabilize the patient based on the substance, length, method of use, and current state.

Stabilization

Each patient receives a personalized treatment plan. This plan may include the use of prescription medications to help wean you off the drug or help manage withdrawal symptoms. The entire process is medically supervised. At Magnified, our staff will monitor your condition and make adjustments to your treatment plan as needed, to keep you as comfortable as possible for the duration.

Long-Term Treatment

After the detoxification process is complete, your body is free of the substance. However, without addressing the core issues that led to the substance abuse in the first place, there’s not much to stop you from relapsing. Our long-term treatment options equip you with the tools you need to stay clean and sober. These include: in-patient treatment, outpatient treatment, group therapy, one-on-one counseling, and 12-step programs.

Specialty Detox Centers

We have the following specialty detox programs

Detox & Tapering

For many, detoxification means tapering off the substance slowly. Some substances could cause harm when stopped cold turkey. With severe dependency, completely stopping the substance could lead to life-threatening symptoms.

In this case, tapering with the use of prescription medications provides patients with a safe and effective way to prevent intense withdrawal symptoms. It also gradually reduces the body’s dependency on the substance, so that eventually patients don’t have withdrawal symptoms and are free of the substance.

Our Treatment Centers

Medications Used During Detox

The medications administered during detox vary for each individual and the amount prescribed and type of medication prescribed are based on the substance that is being abused and the occurrence of any mental health diagnosis as well as physical history. Some of the medications commonly prescribed during detox that assist with the detox process include:

Clonidine
Buprenorphine
Valium
Librium
Ativan
Campral
Antabuse
Vivotrol

Find Help Through Our Detox Program

Do you or someone you love struggle with substance abuse? No matter what the substance is, or how long it has been used, recovery is possible. At Magnified, we know how difficult that first step can be. We provide a safe, judgment-free environment to help break the chains. Contact us today to learn more about our medical detox program.

Detox FAQs

What Happens After Detox?

The detox process isn’t permanent. Success with detox depends on the person treated. Some will continue with further treatment - be it in-patient, outpatient, therapy, a 12-step program or some combination of options. Others will leave treatment after detox. What happens afterward depends on numerous factors, including the individual’s level of commitment to treatment. While many will detox and remain clean for the rest of their lives with continued treatment, others may relapse. Relapse isn’t something to be ashamed of. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) reports that relapse rates among those treated for substance abuse disorders are similar to relapse rates with other chronic illnesses. Where 40 to 60% of substance abusers relapse, 50% to 70% of those with hypertension or asthma will do the same. When you complete a detox program with Magnified, we’re here to support you through every stage of your recovery journey, no matter what comes next for you.

What’s the Best Way to Find a Drug Detox Center Near Me?

What precautions must be taken during detoxification?

Are There Side Effects To Detox?

What Are The Steps To Detoxing?

How long do detox reactions last?

When is the best time to detox?

How Do You Know If You Need To Detox?

Questions About Treatment?

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EMDR Therapy For Substance Use

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Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) For Drug & Alcohol Disorder

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Sober Living Homes For Recovery

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Sources

https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugs-brains-behavior-science-addiction/treatment-recovery

https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline

https://americanaddictioncenters.org/drug-detox

Medical Advice Disclaimer

Magnified Health Systems aims to improve the quality of life for people struggling with substance use or mental health disorder with fact-based content about the nature of behavioral health conditions, treatment options and their related outcomes. We publish material that is researched, cited, edited and reviewed by licensed medical professionals. The information we provide is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers.

This content is verified and moderated by Dr. Brendan Bickley

Dr. Bickley graduated from U.C. Irvine with honors: Phi Beta Kappa, Golden Key International Honor Society, Cum Laude. He has been featured on national radio and print media. He is also a frequent lecturer at National Conferences. He holds an A.S. degree in Drug & Alcohol Studies, and two B.A. degrees in Criminology & Psychology, and masters and doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology. He is a licensed California Drug & Alcohol Counselor Level II, a licensed Clinical Supervisor and is certified in treating Eating Disorders.