Drugs That Require a Medical Detox

What Is Medically Assisted Detox?

When patients are admitted into treatment for alcohol or drug addiction, they will typically have to go through a period of medication-assisted detox. This treatment encompasses the first step in the overall recovery process and addresses the physical dependence of the substance of abuse.

The process is designed to slowly yet effectively wean the individual off the substance in a controlled and monitored environment using tapering medications. The patient will be given detox drugs throughout their time in detox, which will mitigate withdrawal symptoms during the weaning-off process.

The medication-assisted detox process is supervised and performed by highly-qualified medical professionals who are there to support you on a 24/7 basis. WhiteSands Treatment is committed to the comfort, safety, and care of all patients throughout their time in detox and during their inpatient and outpatient stay.

If you or a loved one are struggling with addiction, call WhiteSands Alcohol and Drug Rehab today at 877.969.1993 to learn how we can help.

The Importance of Medical Detox

The patient must be stabilized before entering inpatient treatment, so medical detox is the most crucial step. Many individuals never seek treatment in fear that they will not handle the negative withdrawal symptoms as they have tried to detox on their own and failed. It is never advisable to go ‘cold turkey’ as this can have extremely adverse effects. When an addict is serious about seeking treatment, medical detox will be a primary and essential step in the overall recovery journey.

When drugs or alcohol are successfully removed from the system, and the individual has completed their detox period, they are ready for inpatient treatment at a residential facility.

What Drugs Require Medically Assisted Detox?

There are a host of addictive substances that require a period of medical detox. Some of the drugs where detox is an essential first step to recovery are:

– Opioids: Prescription drugs such as Vicodin, Percocet, Oxycontin, Codeine, and Fentanyl

– Illicit street drugs: Opioids such as heroin

– Benzodiazepines: Prescription benzos like Valium, Librium, Xanax, and Klonopin

– Alcohol: Abruptly stopping alcohol can be life-threatening for those who have AUD (alcohol use disorder), alcohol addiction, and alcoholism. Alcohol affects the central nervous system and depresses it, impacting speech and cognitive abilities. When alcohol is suddenly stopped, the individual may experience delirium tremens, get the shakes, hallucinate, become increasingly agitated, and even suffer from seizures.

Alcohol and drug addiction require detox. Throughout the patient’s time in detoxification, they will be slowly tapered off of the substance. By reducing the substance gradually throughout detox, the body will adapt to the lower dosages, reducing withdrawal symptoms and making the experience less unpleasant. By allowing the body and mind to adjust to the lessened drugs entering the body, the patient will not experience withdrawal’s adverse side effects.

Withdrawal symptoms will vary from patient-to-patient during detox depending on several factors such as:

– Age, gender, and weight

– Length of time the patient has been using

– Their average dose

– The individual’s mental and medical history

– How the individual administered the drug (snort, inject, swallow)

– If they mix drugs and alcohol

Seeking Treatment with a Medically Assisted Detox

Once you have decided to seek treatment for your drug or alcohol addiction, you must get in touch with WhiteSands Treatment so that the specialists can begin to schedule you for medication-assisted detox.

Detox will set a solid foundation for a successful recovery. Once detox has been completed, which can range anywhere from five to seven days, patients will begin their inpatient treatment program. WhiteSands Treatment has medical detox directly on-site, so patients do not have to transfer facilities between detox and residential treatment.

WhiteSands Treatment has comprehensive alcohol and drug addiction treatment programs proven to help individuals not overcome their addiction, but sustain it. Call and speak with one of our specialists today at 877-640-7820 and learn about how addiction treatment programs can help you make a full and long-lasting recovery.

If you or a loved one needs help with abuse and/or treatment, please call the WhiteSands Treatment at (877) 855-3470. Our addiction specialists can assess your recovery needs and help you get the addiction treatment that provides the best chance for your long-term recovery.