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What Is Involved in the Detoxification of Drugs?
The basic premise of detoxification of drugs is to remove the substances and their lasting effects from the user’s body. It is often the first step in substance abuse treatment since people suffering from drug or alcohol addiction will suffer serious withdrawal symptoms that occur when a person stops using drugs or alcohol. The detox process is best performed in a professional detox center Los Angeles residents can access. This ensures patients can be comfortable and supported by a medical team that can properly manage the withdrawal symptoms, which can be extremely severe depending on the severity of the addiction and the patient’s health.
What Happens in a Detox Facility?
Attending professional treatment in a drug detox facility is a vital step in the addiction recovery process. A medical team will first evaluate new patients to ensure they are healthy enough to go through the detox process. The patient’s mental and physical health and the extent of their addiction are evaluated to determine the best course of action during detox.
Once detox begins, treatment will focus on managing withdrawal symptoms to ensure the patient remains comfortable as they deal with the physical withdrawal of stopping substance use. This process may involve the use of medications and intravenous fluids to lessen symptoms and prevent complications.
Detox only tackles the physical side of addiction. Once it is completed, further drug and alcohol addiction treatment through addiction therapy is needed for the mental aspect of dependence. Therapy after detox helps patients learn about the triggers causing their drug use and how to handle them properly. It involves a comprehensive therapy program that addresses the mental aspects of addiction and develops coping strategies for long-term recovery.
How Long Does Detox Take?
The time it takes to complete detox for drug or alcohol addiction will vary for patients, but it typically lasts three to seven days. The length of detox will vary based on the patient’s history of drug use, the type of drug they’ve been abusing, and previous detox attempts. While most patients will complete detox within 10 days, for some substances like benzodiazepines or methadone, the detox process may extend for several weeks due to their longer-lasting effects on the body. For alcohol and some other substances, Post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS) can last for weeks or even months after the initial detox period. These longer-lasting symptoms can include mood swings, anxiety, sleep issues, and cognitive difficulties.
How Do You Know if Detox Is Working?
Patients undergoing detox treatment will begin to know the treatment is working as their symptoms from withdrawal begin to subside. Withdrawal symptoms often include nausea, sweating, tremors, and pain, which will be most severe during the first few days of detox. As these symptoms lessen, patients will begin feeling healthier and stronger as the toxin substance and its effects are further removed from the body’s system. As the patient works through the detox, vital signs like heart rate, blood pressure, and body temperature should also return to normal ranges. Other signs of progress that the detox is effective include improved sleep, increased appetite, and enhanced comfort.
Mentally, during an effective detox treatment, patients will begin to increase mental clarity and emotional stability. As the effects of drug addiction lessen, patients will often experience improved cognitive function with a more stable mood. Regular checkups by the detox treatment team, including blood tests and psychological evaluations, will help provide more signs of progress during the treatment.
Find a Detox Center Los Angeles Residents Can Access
Detox programs for drug and alcohol addiction are often recommended to ensure the patient is properly stabilized from the physical aspects of dependence before starting therapy treatment. Attending a professional detox center Los Angeles residents can access ensures that medical professionals properly manage the entire process. Muse Treatment offers medical detox treatment facilities best suited to help patients safely manage the drug and alcohol withdrawal process. Our comprehensive treatment plans for addiction include detox, inpatient services, therapy programs, and aftercare support to ensure our patients receive the support they need to overcome their addiction. Please contact Muse Treatment by calling 800-426-1818 to access a customized and effective detox program to start on the road to addiction recovery today.
Drug Detox in Los Angeles at Muse
Each client at Muse Los Angeles receives a medical and psychiatric assessment upon admission. This assessment is designed to work with any necessary medical, drug detox, or alcohol detox needs to create a completely unique, detox program custom made for your specific situation. We also take into account any co-occurring disorders that may need medical management or continued assessment, monitoring, and diagnosis. We understand the impact and sensitivity of the detox process: we will work with you to make it as comfortable, safe and restorative as possible. The Muse Drug Detox Program creates a unique and solid foundation that helps to strengthen our clients as they begin their recovery journey.
Clients who enter Muse less than 48 hours since their last consumption of alcohol, drugs, or a combination of both, are placed on detoxification status. Clients are required to meet admission criteria for the detoxification program.
In order to qualify for our drug detox program individuals:
- Must have primary alcohol or drug dependency
- Be an adult age 18 or over
- Meet the admission criteria to enter the residential phase at Muse Facility
- Be medically cleared by a physician to undergo social medical detoxification
- Cannot be physically impaired in any way that would inhibit participation in the program with or without aid.
Those that would be excluded from the program would be individuals deemed medically unstable as determined by the client’s contracted physician and those unwilling to enter into the rehabilitation phase.
The detoxification phase comes with a host of withdrawal symptoms and is one of the most daunting but critical parts of addiction treatment. Give yourself the best chance at long-lasting recovery by starting our Top Los Angeles drug detox program with the skilled professionals at Muse. We do our best to make the detox process as manageable as possible through our compassionate and knowledgeable staff, effective techniques, and comfortable settings. Take the first step towards a life free from substance abuse and start your drug detox at Muse Los Angeles today.
Click here for a complete list of drug withdrawal symptoms
If you’re suffering from addiction, drug detox can be one of the most daunting phases of recovery and so you may have some questions and concerns. Here you’ll discover what to expect in drug detox.
What to Expect During a Drug Detox Program
The drug abuse problem in America has steadily grown into an epidemic. In 2015, there was a recorded 20.9 million substance abusers in the US.
That’s one out of every three persons addicted to drugs. Sadly, only a fraction of Americans are receiving treatment for their drug addiction. And because of this, we now have an opioid epidemic in America. Opioids are the top killer of Americans under 50. It contributed to 64,000 deaths in 2015. That’s more than car accident and gun deaths.
Without the right treatment and proper drug detox, this current situation will only grow more somber. If you or a loved one has an addiction to drugs, then it’s time to seek help.
However, if you’re worried about what the detox process entails, then this guide is for you. Let’s cover some of the basics.
What Happens When You Undergo Drug Detox?
A lot of drug users fear the detox process for various reasons. For one, they’re worried it will be painful. And second, they fear not being able to leave if the going gets tough.
This leads to some folks trying to do a drug detox on their own. In many cases, this fails horribly – some people landing in the hospital or worse.
This isn’t something to be taken lightly and should be performed under medical supervision. At a drug treatment facility, you will have access to medical professionals who will ensure the process is as seamless as possible.
You’re given the proper care to ensure you get through the ordeal with your health intact. Now, let’s review what you can expect when you arrive at the detox facility.
The Consultation
Before you’re admitted to the drug treatment center, you’re given a consultation. This is a great time to ask any of the questions you have.
A counselor will go over your medical history and drug addiction. Then a treatment plan is created specifically for your needs.
At this time, you’ll also take a tour of the facility and visit the room you’ll stay in.
The Medical Evaluation
The subsequent phase is the medical evaluation. For individuals who have been entrenched in drug abuse over extended periods, it’s common to witness the onset of various health challenges. These might range from nutritional deficiencies to more severe complications such as organ damage.
Upon entering the treatment facility, a thorough assessment of your health status is undertaken. Engaging in discussions with a nurse practitioner or doctor becomes pivotal at this juncture. Not only do they illuminate the most optimal treatment pathways for your specific scenario, but they also shed light on anticipated withdrawal symptoms and potential drug cravings. For anyone contemplating this treatment journey, it’s prudent to ask, does anthem cover therapy? This ensures that you are fully prepared both medically and financially for the journey ahead.
Medically-Supervised Drug Detox
There are two forms of detox – one that’s medically-supervised and the other that isn’t. The traditional method is to use nothing.
Depending on your addiction and the length of your addiction, you may have to get a medically-supervised detox. Now, what this means is you will receive medications that help purge your body of the toxins.
You are under medical watch to ensure everything goes smoothly. This is typically recommended for those addicted to benzodiazepines, alcohol or opiates.
Nutritional supplements are sometimes given to help treat dehydration. Pain relievers are also available to alleviate body aches.
What Are the Symptoms of a Drug Detox?
The withdrawal symptoms you may witness during your detox rely heavily on the type of addiction you have. For instance, if you have an addiction to benzodiazepines, then the symptoms may be sedation, hand tremors, panic attacks, sleep issues anxiety and sweating.
Benzodiazepines include prescription drugs like Alprazolam, and a range of anti-anxiety medications.
Opioid Side Effects
Now, if you’re addicted to opioids, such as heroin, or prescription pain medications, then your symptoms are a little different.
Some of the side effects include sweating, agitation, muscle aches, vomiting and abdominal cramping.
Synthetic Drug Side Effects
Synthetic drugs consist of substances that are man-made. For example, synthetic marijuana. On the streets, it’s called Spice or K2.
The side effects of withdrawal for this is similar to that of opioids.
Stimulants Side Effects
Stimulants are drugs, such as meth (otherwise known as ICE) and cocaine, among others. Detox from stimulants include withdrawal symptoms, such as sleepiness, tremors, suicidal thoughts, cardiovascular issues, muscle pain, anxiety and low mood.
Club Drugs Side Effects
There are various forms of club drugs out there. They include substances like LSD, GHB, MDMA, and PCP and others.
The withdrawal symptoms they have include serious physical and mental health issues.
Check out a complete, detailed list of withdrawal symptoms to be expected during drug detox from a range of substances.
Drug Treatment Options
What makes medically-supervised detoxes more attractive is that it helps to reduce the undesirable withdrawal symptoms.
But again, it all comes down to the addiction you have. There are other drug detox options.
Opioid Treatment
Medically-managed options are common for treating opioid addiction. A host of prescription medications designed to ease the opiate withdrawal and detox process are utilized in our programs, where applicable.
Benzodiazepine Treatment
It’s typical for patients to continue taking benzodiazepine in the beginning stages. The dosage decreases over time, weaning the patient off the drug.
Eventually, the type of benzodiazepine changes. Or you could be eligible to receive a medically supervised substitute anti-anxiety medication to gradually wean yourself off your benzodiazepine addiction.
Stimulant Treatment
To date, there are no medications available that are FDA-approved for the treatment of stimulant addiction. However, it’s common for some treatment centers to use medically provided, pharmaceutical grade prescription drugs.
Benzodiazepines can be addictive, yet it’s sometimes prescribed, in medically supervised doses, to calm the withdrawal effects.
Quitting Cold Turkey – the Risks
Deciding to take drug detoxing into your own hands can be problematic and, in some cases, fatal. It’s more dangerous to go cold turkey if you have an addiction to benzodiazepine, alcohol or opiates.
Cocaine, meth and nicotine withdrawal symptoms aren’t fatal but can present severe difficulties for the patient.
But what makes quitting cold turkey dangerous is the relapse factor. When you go through a detox, your tolerance for the drug is higher.
If you were to try and use the substance again, your chances of overdosing are higher, as you try to increase the dose to get the same high.
Get Help for Your Addiction
Drug addiction is a monster you shouldn’t attempt to fight alone. There’s a community recovery available for you at a Los Angeles drug treatment center. Here, you can get the emotional and medical support you need to get through your drug detox and end your addiction once and for all.
At Muse Treatment Los Angeles, we tailor detox programs to meet the needs of our patients. Whether you’re suffering from drug or alcohol addiction, we can help.
We offer both medically supervised drug detox, inpatient and outpatient treatment options. Contact us today to learn more about our programs and how we can help you or a loved one get on the path toward addiction recovery.
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