Drug or Alcohol Detox

Detox just the first step in the recovery process. It is best handled in a secure, monitored environment, usually requiring hospitalization. The abrupt cessation of alcohol and some illicit drugs can involve life-threatening implications, which are best monitored by health-care professionals. Frequently, in moderate to severe cases of addiction, other medications are prescribed to lessen the unpleasant side-effects of withdrawal. The goal of detox is to withdraw the alcoholic or addict from the addictive substance as safely, quickly, and as painlessly, as possible.

Detox, however, is only concerned with the physical aspect of addiction, and is just the beginning of the recovery process. Emotional, psychological, and spiritual aspects are addressed through such therapies as 12-step programs (AA, NA, etc.), family counseling, cognitive therapy, group therapy, and various other avenues of treatment and recovery. The long-term success rate for those who use detox as the sole from of treatment and recovery without addition therapeutic forms is very low.

In some cases it isn't necessary for the client to "detox" off of his drug of choice. It is important to understand which types of detox are necessary for which drug. Do I need a medical withdrawal or medical detox? How long is the detox program? Are there any dangers involved with detox?

Essentially almost every drug can be found in one of the following areas. Although not a comprehensive list, most of the major drugs are listed here.

Absolutely requires a detox, medically supervised (Medical Detox)

The following substances, when abused, can develop physical dependencies, which, if not detoxed properly, can bring about acutely dangerous withdrawal symptoms including seizures, delusions, or even death. Most hospitals will admit a client withdrawing off of the following.

Alcohol detox - withdrawal can include seizures, agitation, acute anxiety, delusions or death during an unsupervised detox.
Benzodiazipene detox - withdrawal can include seizures, acute anxiety, delusions or death with an non-medically supervised detox.
Barbiturate detox - withdrawal can include acute anxiety, seizures, delusions or death without a supervised detox.

Physically and emotionally uncomfortable, but not required for medical safety

The following substances, when abused, can develop physical dependencies as well, but do not necessarily lead to medically dangerous withdrawals. Although extremely uncomfortable, very few people end up with lethal harmful effects as a result of the detox process. Although it is possible to safely detox the client off of these substances without any medical danger. The only exceptions to these are found when the client has pre-existing heart conditions, which can be aggravated during the uncomfortable withdrawal process, potentially leading to medical danger. Another danger for the client that decides to detox on his own, is that he will usually quit trying to withdraw on his own if not supervised and continues using again. Rarely will a regular (non-detox) hospital admit a client withdrawing off of the following.

Methadone detox - extremely long term painful withdrawal, including agitation, muscle aches, sickness, sleeplessness, vomiting, anxiety during detox.
Heroin detox - Although not as severe as methadone, the withdrawal symptoms are similar during detox.
Suboxone detox - similar withdrawal symptoms as Heroin, just not as long lasting during the detox process.
Other opiates such as Vicodin, Oxycontin, etc -Similar withdrawal as the above listed during detox.

Rarely uncomfortable, usually fully safe detox

The following substances usually don't "require" a detox, but most treatment centers will provide some form of withdrawal clinic or detox setting to make sure the client isn't exhibiting any of the negative effects of the substance. A standard (non drug treatment facility) hospital will not admit a client using these substances for detox, because they are rarely in any true medical danger.

Marijuana detox - minimal to no withdrawal symptoms except for agitation during detox.
Cocaine/Crack detox - withdrawal symptoms during detox include lowered heart and respiration, binge sleeping and eating.
Ecstasy, LSD or Club drugs - symptoms during detox are minimal to non existent.
Methamphetamine detox - Agitation, binge sleeping and eating, possible delusions. There is a note, that many detox centers are reluctant to admit a client who has been using meth because they may be exhibiting dangerous psychotic symptoms as a result of there using. In most cases, a majority of these disappear during detox.

Call now to speak with a certified chemical dependency counselor to help guide you through the solution in choosing the right program and/or detox center.