If you are struggling with addiction and ready to get help, you’ve probably seen a lot of information about detox and withdrawal. But is detox the best start of treatment, and is it a requirement?
What is the Start of Rehab?
When you start any rehab program, you’ll be required to go through detox.
- With residential or inpatient programs, your detox takes place at the start of your treatment at the same facility.
- With outpatient programs, your detox can take place at a secondary location like a hospital or at the treatment center, after which you’ll continue with the rest of your therapy and services.
Detox removes any traces of drugs and alcohol from your body so that you are physically stable and able to start the rest of your treatment.
Is Detox the Best Start of Treatment?
Yes, at every start of rehab, you need to begin with detox. Detox helps you remove any toxins that have built up in your body over time due to persistent drug and alcohol abuse.
Each time you abuse drugs and alcohol, the toxic compounds from those substances remain in your body for a specific length of time before they are completely flushed.
For example:
After your last dose of cocaine, it can still show up in blood and urine tests for several days because there are still remaining compounds in your body.
If you use cocaine on Monday and then use it again on Wednesday, the toxins that remain in your system from Monday will still be present to some degree, and you’ll be adding to the level of toxins in your body with the dose on Wednesday.
The more often you use cocaine, the higher the level of toxins that are built up in your body. All of these toxins have to be flushed from your system in order for you to be clean and sober, a necessary part of the start of rehab.
Why is Detox the Best Start of Treatment
If you participate in a comprehensive inpatient program, detox will usually take place at the same facility. There are several reasons why it’s essential to start detox under professional supervision.
Manage Withdrawal Symptoms
Firstly, as these toxins are gradually removed from your body, it will cause a sudden drop in chemicals. Your brain will notice this and start to cause withdrawal symptoms. Symptoms can include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Sweating
- Shaking
- Diarrhea
- Increased blood pressure
- Runny nose
- Fever
- Chills
- Exhaustion
- Hallucinations
- Muscle and bone pain
- Cramps
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Confusion
- Irritability
- Insomnia
- Mood swings
- Cravings
- Seizures
- Delirium
These are the side effects of that sudden drop in chemicals.
With professional detox, you can minimize the impact and keep yourself comfortable and safe during the process.
- Trained specialists will supervise you twenty-four hours per day.
- Medical staff can provide medication to alleviate discomfort and manage your symptoms.
- Doctors are on hand in the event of any medical complications like seizures or hallucinations.
Medication Assisted Treatment
Attempting to detox on your own is incredibly unsafe, especially for addiction to opioids or alcohol, both of which come with serious side effects and high risks of medical complications and even death.
To avoid these severe complications, when you start rehab with detox, you can receive medication-assisted treatment, which involves FDA-approved medication during your detox process as well as ongoing medication to curb cravings and help keep you sober.
Choose Liberty House for Your Start of Rehab
Not all facilities are equal to the task. Liberty House offers comprehensive residential treatment and is a licensed detox facility. With Liberty House, you can receive medication-assisted treatment or traditional Detox Services based on your needs.
You can benefit from a program where you don’t have to visit multiple facilities but rather can check in for your course of treatment, start with supervised detox in one room and transition into the rest of your care plan thereafter.
We make it a smooth transition but also keep you as comfortable as possible during your detox. For many clients, the average detox is no more than one week, but this comes down to things like:
- How much you use each time
- What substances you are using simultaneously
- How long you have used
- Your physical and mental health
During your initial intake, we will evaluate your needs for detox and ongoing treatment. After a series of questions pertaining to your history of drug use, physical and mental health, and family health, we will provide individualized recommendations for care. You’ll be able to review the detox program recommended for your situation and the duration and services included in your residential program.
Start detox today with Liberty House.