Answers to Common Questions about Alcohol and Drug Detox
Drug detox eliminates the effects of drugs from the body and can begin as quickly as a few hours after taking the last dose. While it sounds simple enough in theory, the reality of detox can be vastly different for many people.
Detoxing from certain drugs can cause some people to experience unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Some people may also be at risk of developing potentially dangerous symptoms that could require emergency medical assistance.
Trying to detox at home by quitting ‘cold turkey’ could increase the risk of potentially dangerous symptoms. It may also increase the risk of accidental overdose if the person relapses.
Due to the risk of potentially experiencing life-threatening symptoms, it’s strongly advised that anyone considering drug detox does so under medical supervision as part of a comprehensive rehab treatment program.
1. What Are the Benefits of Medical Detox?
Medical detox is the first step in any good drug rehab treatment program. It is often the most common type of drug detox for those recovering from addiction to alcohol or opioid drugs.
When you first enter into rehab, your addiction treatment specialist will undertake a complete assessment of your situation. They’ll determine the severity of your addiction and work with you to tailor the right treatments and medications required for your individual situation.
The benefits of choosing medical detox extend beyond just managing withdrawal symptoms; they encompass an approach rooted in safety and comprehensive care. With around-the-clock medical supervision, individuals can be assured of their well-being during this critical phase. Furthermore, the presence of medical professionals means timely access to healthcare if any complications arise during the detox process. An emerging topic in the realm of rehabilitation and mental health is neurotherapy feedback, often known as neurofeedback. While it may seem unrelated, understanding what neurotherapy feedback is can further broaden one’s perspective on the range of tools available for addiction and mental health treatment. This technique monitors brain activity and provides real-time feedback, helping individuals regulate and improve their brain function, offering another potential avenue of support during the recovery journey.
2. Does Insurance Cover Detox?
Depending on the state you live in, you might qualify for free detox programs. If you’re unsure whether your insurance covers medical detox treatments, take the time to check your insurance policy.
Alternatively, you can call our rehab treatment specialists and discuss your needs with us. We’ll work with you to determine if your insurance policy covers the cost of treatments for drug or alcohol detox.
3. What Medications Are Used in Alcohol and Drug Detox?
The actual medications used during drug or alcohol detox may vary, depending on your individual treatment needs. A person in recovery from opioid addiction may be given medications that include Suboxone to assist with the detox process.
By comparison, a person in recovery from alcohol addiction may be given entirely different prescription medications to assist with their detox needs. Those medications might include bupropion, Antabuse (disulfiram), naltrexone, or acamprosate.
The best way to determine which medications might be best suited to your individual recovery needs is to call our addiction treatment specialists. We’re here to discuss your specific needs and answer any questions you have about the detox process.
4. Is Detox Dangerous?
Anyone who has developed a physical dependency on drugs or alcohol can be at risk of developing dangerous symptoms associated with withdrawal. It’s strongly recommended that anyone thinking about quitting drugs or alcohol reaches out and asks for proper medical supervision to detox correctly for their own safety.
5. What Happens After Detox?
Drug detox is only the first step in any rehab treatment program. Detox on its own won’t address the underlying psychological reasons behind addictive behaviors. In order to improve your chances of making a full and lasting recovery, it’s essential to also receive specific types of counseling and group therapy sessions that help address the emotional triggers behind substance abuse issues.
Regular attendance at counseling sessions or group therapy meetings works to address some of the underlying psychological reasons that might contribute to substance abuse. From there, your counselor can work with you to customize a strong relapse prevention strategy that works for your individual triggers, so you can improve your chances of avoiding a potential relapse throughout your recovery.
Contact the addiction treatment experts at Muse Treatment in Los Angeles by calling (800) 426-1818 to learn how our detox programs can help you overcome addiction today.
