Detox, short for detoxification is the process through which an addicted individual withdraws from the drug(s) in his or her system. This is the first step in preparation for addiction treatment. As an essential first step in the addiction recovery process, detox must set the groundwork for the treatment and therapy components of rehabilitation.
At A Forever Recovery, we are dedicated to ensuring that every individual is detoxified with dignity, comfort, and safety held to the highest standards.
How Does Drug and Alcohol Detox Work?
All drugs, including alcohol, stay in the body of a user for a certain period of time, depending on the substance, the individual’s metabolism, and the amounts and frequency of drug use. Detox is no more than the drugs, and their toxins being dispelled from the body in a natural manner, just as food and liquid are on a daily basis. The difference with drugs is that there are withdrawal symptoms that can be excruciatingly uncomfortable, and produce effects that interfere with normal bodily functions.
At A Forever Recovery, we understand the many aspects of detoxification and what individuals experience before, during, and after the process has been completed. Therefore, we ensure that each individual experiences a safe, respectful, and supportive detox, while remaining as comfortable as possible.
Detoxification Intake
Upon entering our detoxification facility, clients are greeted by kind and compassionate staff members who will begin the intake process which includes health screens, urinalysis, and alcohol breath test to determine health and accurate drug and alcohol levels prior to beginning detoxification.
Additionally, clients are given a brief interview to inform our clinicians of important factors such as:
- What drugs he/she has taken, in what quantities and frequencies
- Any health issues, allergies, or other potential complications during the detox process
- Any previous detox attempts, when they were, and their outcome
- History of seizures or addiction to benzodiazepines and/or barbiturates
- Possibility of pregnancy for female clients
During the intake portion, we inform every individual of the process of his or her detox, what to expect and the steps we will take to ensure comfort while maintaining safe medical practices. It is our goal to make our clients comfortable while completing the detox process. We understand the difficulty and bravery of the decision to get sober from drugs, and we want to reinforce this important decision by helping our clients to feel safe and relaxed throughout the detox process.
During Detoxification
Once the detoxification process has begun, our trained clinicians monitor every client’s vitals to ensure medical stability. Several of the symptoms common to withdrawal from most drugs can be managed with certain medications, and we administer this important care to regulate blood pressure, ease anxiety and insomnia, and facilitate sleep and relaxation.
Depending on the drug from which a client is withdrawing, additional symptoms may require administration of other medications.
Some of the symptoms in addition to insomnia, anxiety, and high blood pressure are:
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal pain and cramping
- Tension
- Nausea and vomiting
- Indigestion
The length of time it takes to complete detox depends heavily on the individual, the drug(s) he or she was using, and the nature and severity of drug use. A typical detox is in the range of 5-14 days; however, there is some variance depending on individual circumstances.
With cases of opiate and painkiller detox, we are sensitive to the excruciating symptoms of withdrawal. At A Forever Recovery, we offer opiate and painkiller clients a long-lasting opioid commonly used for opiate detox, tapering the dosage slowly for a gradual detox, rather than a jarring onset of full withdrawal symptoms. During this process, clients are consistently monitored and given various medications to manage the aforementioned symptoms.
A Forever Recovery
At A Forever Recovery, we know how difficult detoxification can be without help and support. This is why we are dedicated to the safety and comfort of each individual, providing medications to manage withdrawal symptoms, caring staff to provide support, and nutritious meals specifically planned for optimal health promotion during the detox process. Sobriety and recovery from addiction are possible, starting with a compassionate and safe detox that sets the groundwork for a healthy mind, body, and spirit going into addiction treatment. At A Forever Recovery, we approach each case individually and provide the highest level of care and compassion to ensure each client has the support, comfort, safety, and resources to continue his or her journey to complete recovery and truly overcoming addiction.
Contact A Forever Recovery today and a counselor will speak with you about how we can develop a customized detox plan to safely and comfortably complete detox, and seamlessly transition you, or your loved one into addiction treatment for complete recovery from addiction.
