Medical detoxification is a form of alcohol and drug addiction treatment that typically takes place in an inpatient environment. Over the course of a few days or weeks, doctors and nurses work to keep you as comfortable as possible as you go through the immediate process of detoxing from a substance by combating withdrawal symptoms via clinical means. The goal is to make it easier for individuals to get through the first days and weeks after quitting a substance so they can concentrate on other areas of their rehab and recovery.
What to Expect from Medical Detox
Medically assisted detox may be recommended in a variety of cases. Whether you’re dealing with alcohol addiction or misusing drugs such as heroin, physical, mental and emotional factors may be contributing to substance abuse. Medical detox addresses the immediate physical factors.
Addictive substances, including many drugs and alcohol, cause your body to become physically dependent on them. That means you can’t function normally when you stop taking them until your body completely detoxes. The result is withdrawal symptoms that can include nausea, vomiting, trouble sleeping, tremors, anxiety, depression, mood swings, sweating and even an irregular heartbeat.
When you enter a program that includes medically assisted detox, you can expect to work with doctors and nurses who:
- Provide medication if available and appropriate to substantially reduce if not eradicate withdrawal symptoms
- Offer other solutions to help you manage withdrawal symptoms
- Remain available 24 hours a day to ensure you are safe and as comfortable as possible
- Answer questions you might have about withdrawal symptoms to provide some peace of mind as you go through this process
The Benefits of Medically Assisted Detox
Withdrawal symptoms vary by person and can be affected by what types of substances you use and how much and how often you abuse drugs or alcohol. In most cases, the symptoms peak within a few days and are primarily resolved within a week or two, though periodic withdrawal symptoms may be experienced after that.
During those first few days or weeks of new sobriety, however, the symptoms can seem unbearable. Many people who try to quit drugs or alcohol on their own are driven back to using by these symptoms. Medical detox treatment in Florida lets you make it through this crucial time with support and more comfort.
In some cases, the withdrawal symptoms can even pose a health risk. Going through detox in an environment staffed by caring, experienced professionals substantially reduces those risks so you can approach long-term sobriety with confidence and security.
Is Medical Detox Right for You?
Medical detox may not be the right choice for everyone who seeks inpatient rehab treatment. At First Step Detox, we work with you to determine the best approach to treatment and recommend medical detox if we believe it will be a helpful step in your recovery. Detox might be a good choice if you are addicted to a substance that is known for withdrawal symptoms or if you have tried to quit before and been unable to do so because of physical symptoms within the first few hours or days after you stop using.
To find out more about medically assisted detox and how it can help you seek long-term recovery, contact us today.