The first step to getting help for an alcohol or drug addiction is through detox. During this phase, you’ll go through medical and/or psychological treatment that removes the addictive substance from your body. It’s important to note that you can’t detox on your own at home: doing so can cause serious health problems, including death. This article will cover everything you need to know about the steps of going through a detox program and what type of medication is used during it.
What Is a Detox Center?
A detox center is a treatment facility that helps people overcome their addiction to alcohol or drugs. The goal of this treatment is to help patients regain control of their lives. There are many different types of detox centers, including inpatient and outpatient facilities.
The most popular type of detox center is an inpatient facility; however, some people may prefer outpatient treatments due to the nature of their addiction or finances. Detoxing at an inpatient facility allows patients to receive around-the-clock care from medical professionals who can monitor their progress through the recovery process. Patients will also be able to stay away from drugs or alcohol completely during this time period so they won’t feel tempted to use again once they leave the program!
What Is a Medical Detox Program?
Medical detox programs are designed to help you safely withdraw from alcohol or drugs. They typically start with a medical evaluation, which is followed by the administration of medication that reduces your symptoms and allows you to feel better as you withdraw.
You may be treated with medications like Clonidine or Buprenorphine to reduce cravings, as well as anti-anxiety medications such as Benzodiazepines, antidepressants like SSRIs, or sedatives such as Diazepam (Valium). In some cases, your doctor may recommend lowering your dose of the drug slowly over time rather than stopping abruptly.
Types of Alcohol and Drug Detox Treatment
- Inpatient detox: Patients who have been abusing drugs or alcohol for a long time may need an inpatient detox program, where you will stay at the facility for a specific period of time. This type of medical treatment is usually reserved for those who suffer from severe symptoms or have an acute medical condition such as liver failure or withdrawal seizure.
- Outpatient detox: If your addiction is less severe and you are able to live at home during your recovery process, then outpatient care may be more appropriate for your needs. As with any other medical treatment, this type of care comes with risks and benefits that should be considered before deciding on its suitability.
- Medically assisted detox: When someone has been using large amounts of drugs over a prolonged period, they may need medication to support their bodies during withdrawal symptoms so they can safely progress through them without relapsing on their drug use again after leaving the facility – this is known medically as “medically assisted detox.” The medications used vary depending on each person’s situation but generally include benzodiazepines like Valium (diazepam) or Xanax (alprazolam), opiate antagonists like Suboxone (buprenorphine) and methadone; anti-anxiety agents such as Ativan (lorazepam); antidepressants such as Celexa (citalopram); muscle relaxants like Soma (carisoprodol).
Inpatient and Outpatient Drug Detox Programs
Inpatient drug detox programs are more intensive than outpatient programs, but they require more time and money. For example, inpatient detox takes place in a hospital or medical center where patients can receive medical supervision during the process. Outpatient drug detox programs don’t require as much supervision; instead, people can detox on their own through medical assistance or support groups that meet outside of the hospital setting (usually one hour per week).
Both types of inpatient and outpatient drug treatment centers offer similar results: they’re designed to help you get clean from drugs or alcohol. While some people are able to successfully recover from addiction with an outpatient program alone—usually because it’s easier for them given their schedule and budget—most experts recommend combining both types of treatment into one overall plan with multiple sessions over a longer period of time (4-6 weeks).
Social and Inpatient Medical Detox Centers
If you’re looking for long-term treatment options, medical detox programs are ideal. These facilities can provide a safe and comfortable environment where individuals can undergo medically managed withdrawal symptoms and receive the necessary treatment for substance abuse. Treatment centers offer a variety of services such as individualized counseling sessions and group therapy that help those in recovery maintain sobriety after leaving their drug or alcohol addiction program.
What Happens During the Detoxification Process?
When it comes to alcohol or drug addiction detoxification, there are two types of settings you can choose: inpatient and outpatient. Both have their advantages and disadvantages, but they both follow the same general process.
The first step is detoxification—the process by which someone stops using drugs or alcohol. This is done through medical supervision (often referred to as “detox”). The length of this process varies widely depending on the substance being used and how long the person has been taking it; however, detox can last anywhere from a few days to several weeks depending on whether you’re undergoing an inpatient or outpatient program. If you’re undergoing an inpatient program at a rehab center, then you’ll stay overnight for anywhere between three days to one week until your body has become clean from drugs or alcohol use. If you’ve decided that outpatient treatment is right for your needs—or if there aren’t any available beds left at an inpatient facility—then it’s possible that your doctor may prescribe medications during this time period that help ease withdrawal symptoms while also ensuring safety at home during recovery efforts (like naltrexone).
After completing detoxification under medical supervision (which may include medication) and stabilizing your mind and body after years of damage caused by substances like heroin or cocaine abuse, then comes rehabilitation.
Prescribed Medication to Help With Detoxing from Alcohol and Opioids
The detoxification process is not a quick one. It generally takes weeks or even months to complete, depending on how long you have been using drugs or alcohol as well as other factors. Detoxification is the process of ridding your body of all addictive substances. This can be done in a hospital, clinic, or at home with the help of family members who are trained in the proper procedures for administering medications and fluids that help reduce withdrawal symptoms during the initial stages of recovery from addiction to drugs or alcohol.
Detoxification cannot be done alone; it requires medical supervision by trained professionals who understand exactly what patients need when undergoing this intense treatment program for substance abuse disorders (SUDs).
Addiction Therapy After Detox
After detox, you will begin attending weekly group counseling sessions. These sessions are led by a trained addiction therapist, who will help you develop the skills to overcome your addiction. Group therapy is geared towards helping those in recovery learn how their addiction has affected them and their relationships with others. In addition to group counseling, many treatment centers also offer individual counseling sessions as part of their program. The individualized approach helps clients gain insight into how they can better handle day-to-day stressors while also addressing issues that may be related to their addictions (e.g., poor self-esteem or depression).
How To Get Into Alcohol or Drug Addiction Detox Center
If you’re ready to get help with your alcohol or drug addiction, there are many ways to find the right detox center for you. Here are some ideas:
- Talk to your doctor. Your doctor can help diagnose any physical conditions that might be related to your substance abuse, and give advice on how best to proceed.
- Contact your local detox center. Many areas have places where people who want help with their addictions can go for detox programs, which should be covered by insurance if possible. It’s always a good idea to call ahead of time and make sure they’re able to accept patients who need an inpatient program (as opposed to outpatient). You may also want to bring along a friend or family member for moral support throughout this process; just make sure not everyone feels uncomfortable about this decision before agreeing on someone else besides yourself!
Conclusion
We hope that this article has helped you understand what alcohol or drug addiction detox is and how to get into one. If you’re looking for more information on any of these topics, we encourage you to contact us today. We would love to answer any questions that you may have about our treatment programs.