Alcohol Detox and Drug Detox; The First Step
January 6, 2008
Drug detox and alcohol detox is the first step on the road to recovery Drug detox and alcohol detox refers to the period during which all traces of the drug are being removed from the body. There are medications to facilitate drug detox and alcohol detox; some of which ease the physical pain and discomfort of alcohol withdrawal and drug withdrawal .
This crucial stage of drug detox and alcohol detox is vital to a complete recovery but should not be taken lightly or without the help of an addiction treatment professional. The withdrawals from some of the more dangerous drugs can be just as, if not more, physically dangerous than the use of the drug itself. Opiate withdrawal is one of the most serious drug detox processes and should be monitored closely by an addiction treatment professional to ensure success and to minimize potential side effects. Some of the side effects associated with certain drug detox periods are tremors, vomiting, severe body pain and breaks in psychological functioning. However uncomfortable some types of drug detox and alcohol detox may be, it is necessary to first rid the body of the substance it depends on so it may return to a state of functioning without it. It is only when a client’s mind and body are clear of the substance from drug detox that the psychological aspects of recovery can begin.
Drug detox and alcohol programs can be found in drug rehab programs, alcohol rehab programs, addiction treatment centers, local hospital and even in some jails or prisons. Law enforcement officials are now more educated about the dangers of drug detox and some offer medical care during the process to newly booked offenders. Although a very scary and daunting thought to drug dependent individuals, drug detox and alcohol detox is the first vital step in returning to a healthy lifestyle.
Alcohol Detox or Drug Detox
January 6, 2008
What is usually meant by “alcohol detox” or “drug detox” is the collection of physical symptoms accompanying the discontinuation of addictive substances. It hurts when we quit and it can be dangerous to come off certain substances too quickly. Modern medical science has provided us with some excellent medications to minimize the discomfort associated with the detox process. That is why it is important to have a physician specializing in detox assisting your initial process of recovery. This way you can expect a safe and comfortable detox.
Immediate Goals of Detox
December 25, 2007
The immediate goal of detox is to provide a safe withdrawal from the drug addiction and alcohol abuse and enable the patient to become drug free. Many risks are associated with withdrawal, some influenced by the setting. For persons who are severely dependent on alcohol, abrupt, unsupervised cessation of drinking may result in delirium tremens or death. Other sedative-hypnotics may produce life-threatening withdrawal syndromes. Withdrawal from opioids produces severe discomfort, but is not generally life threatening. However, risks to the patient and society are not limited to the severity of the patient’s physical disturbance, particularly when the detox is conducted in an outpatient addiction treatment setting. Outpatients experiencing withdrawal symptoms may self-medicate with street drugs. The resulting interaction between prescribed medication and street drugs may result in an overdose. Less severe side effects include sedation or a drop in blood pressure.
To provide withdrawal that is humane and protects the patient’s dignity. A caring staff, a supportive environment, sensitivity to cultural issues, confidentiality, and the selection of appropriate detox medication (if needed) are all important to providing humane withdrawal.
Length of Stay in Detox
December 25, 2007
Because detox often entails a more intensive level of addiction treatment than other types of addiction treatment, there is a practical value in defining a period during which a person is “in detox.” There is no simple way to do this. Usually, the detox period is defined as the period during which the patient receives detoxi medications.
Another way of defining the detox period is by measuring the duration of withdrawal signs or symptoms. However, the duration of these symptoms may be difficult to determine in a correctly medicated patient because symptoms of withdrawal are largely suppressed by the medication.
If you are looking for a safe and effective alcohol detox or drug detox, go to www.lakeviewhealth.com or call the national addiction treatment helpline at 1-800-511-9225
Alcohol and Drug Detox
December 1, 2007
Alcohol Detox – Alcohol detox is necessary for a person to achieve an alcohol free and non-dependent state and begin the successful road to a long-term recovery. To fully detox from alcohol abuse, the process usually takes anywhere from 3 to 14 days, depending on the severity of an individual’s reactions and physical health. The effects of alcohol detox can include mild to the very severe reactions and regardless of the level of seriousness the reactions are, the process can always be traumatic for the person undergoing detox.
Drug Detox – Drug detox always brings with it withdrawal symptoms, which is brought on by the sudden discontinuation of use or dramatic reduction of drug use, following prolonged or heavy use of a drug over an extended period of time. During drug detox, withdrawal symptoms usually include the following reactions: sweats, irritability, nausea, headaches and cramping.
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