Drug detoxification is the process of flushing out all toxic chemicals of drugs or substance abused from the body system while taking care of the resultant withdrawal effects. This method entails ceasing of all drugs without the use of medicine under the supervision of an expert therapist.
Drug detoxification is the first step to addiction treatment because it boosts the recovery process as well as takes care of future relapses. Once an addict decides to stop their addiction, they can easily be tempted to get back to the drug.
Therefore, they need to be medically supervised, stay in a conducive environment, and spend quality time away from the places and things that get them hooked to the drug. Detoxification works wonders to keep the physiological effects of quitting a drug at the best levels.
Detoxification is carried out either in residential or outpatient treatment rehabs. They boost the wellness process and in some cases provide insurance for the addicts. After undergoing the treatment, the addicts receive physical, spiritual and mental therapy. They also receive healthy coping skills especially for emotional struggles hence will not be vulnerable to getting back to addiction.
Not all detoxification suit all addicts. To determine the best approach, certain factors should be considered. Such factors are; the drug they have been using, the doses they have taken, and whether the patients are using other drugs. These factors help reach a decision on which detox approach to use.
Types of drug detox
- Cold turkey detox
This method entails ceasing abuse of all drugs without the use of medicine under the care of an expert therapist. The therapist supports you on making decisions like proper nutrition, best pastimes, physical and mental exercises, that will help you in the recovery process.
In this method, the drug addict experiences full withdrawal symptoms without any medical attention. This method is somehow complicated since some drugs had already caused severe damage to your body hence need more time to be flushed out.
Since there is no medical intervention in the cold turkey approach, most addicts can afford it. Its cost-effectiveness will attract more of them to the recovery process. It is because the addict submits to the treatment in the initial phase of detoxification.
This is mostly done through counseling, monitoring, assistance, and therapy. In doing so, the focus put on the drug itself, the user and how they can stop abusing it. Therefore, this method ensures the long term positive outcome of a drug addict.
2. Medical Detoxification
This approach entails stopping to take all drugs and substances strictly under the supervision and care of a therapist. It is recommended when the side effects of withdrawal like anxiety, seizures, and headaches get to the extreme.
As hard and painful drug detoxification can be, doing it alone is next to impossible. Thus medical support is vital for the individual to get appropriate medical procedures to ensure they are detoxed effectively.
Medical detoxification treats with immediate effect the withdrawal symptoms associated with quitting a drug. This is by giving the body a chance to get rid of toxic chemicals left behind by the drug.
Medical intervention is effective in stopping drug abuse as it handles changes in the brain. Chronic drug and substance abuse make the brain and its parts get accustomed to them causing cravings in case the addict skips the daily dose.
What medical detoxification does is to mimic the role the drug plays in the brain thus reducing withdrawal effects caused by its absentia.
3. Agonist-assisted detox
This method involves the use of methadone and buprenorphine to reduce withdrawal symptoms and cravings for the addictive drug.
They usually replace the commonly abused drug with a pharmaceutical-grade opioid to slowly reduce the dose until you have entirely ridden off the opioids.
Buprenorphine lasts for 1 or 2 weeks in the system while methadone may take longer depending on start dose and rate of reduction of the drug in the system.
As much as drug detox is the most fundamental step in a complete drug rehab program, there need to be other steps.
- Individualized treatment-Personal issues, such as family struggles should be addressed to help with the recovery process.
- Therapy-It motivates individuals on their recovery paths, nutritional, exercises, workouts and medication therapies are key.
- Inclusive treatment plan-The individuals should have regular check-ins to their rehab centres for updates on their progress
- Family therapy- There should be educative workshops and family support groups which will give love, care, and support to addicts
- After-care services- The rehab program should follow up on their sober life through alumni groups
Detoxification is essential for your complete addiction healing. Ensure you have access to after-care services for the best results. Happy drug detox!