Ohio Drug And Alcohol Detox

When you live with alcohol or drug addiction (also called substance use disorder), your first step toward recovery is detox. Detoxing means cleansing your body of drugs by avoiding drug use.

During the detoxification process, you may experience uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms. You can minimize these symptoms by attending a medical detox program. 

How To Detox From Drugs & Alcohol

Some people try to start the detox process without professional help. While detoxing on your own might sound convenient, medical detox is much safer. 

During medical detox, doctors and nurses will monitor your health and help you stay as comfortable as possible. They will also provide emergency medical care if you experience any withdrawal-related complications. 

When you first enter a medical detox program, a team of medical professionals will assess your situation. They will check your blood pressure, body temperature, pulse, and other vital signs. 

They will also gather information about your drug use and overall health. For example, you might be asked about:

• which drugs you used
• how often you used the drugs
• any withdrawal symptoms you have experienced so far
• whether you have attended a medical detox program before
• whether you have any preexisting physical or mental health problems

The medical professionals will use this information to create your detox treatment plan. 

What Is A Detox Treatment Plan?

A detox treatment plan outlines your drug or alcohol detox needs, including the type of detox program, length of stay, medications, and tapering schedules.

Types Of Detox Programs

There are two main types of detox programs: inpatient detox and outpatient detox.

Most people need inpatient detox, which means you live at a detox center and receive 24/7 supervision. However, some people benefit from outpatient detox, which means you live at home and regularly visit a treatment center. 

In general, outpatient detox is only recommended for people with very mild withdrawal symptoms and strong support systems at home.

Length Of Stay

Detox typically lasts between 7 and 10 days. However, your specific detox timeline will depend on your overall health and the severity of your withdrawal symptoms. 

Medications

Your doctors may prescribe medications to ease certain withdrawal symptoms. For example, they might use anti-anxiety medications to treat anxiety, anti-nausea medications to treat nausea, or sleep aids to treat insomnia. 

There are also some medications that help treat withdrawal symptoms associated with certain drugs. 

For instance, benzodiazepines like diazepam (Valium) and lorazepam (Ativan) may help treat withdrawal symptoms associated with alcohol addiction. Similarly, a drug called methadone can help ease opioid withdrawal symptoms. 

Tapering Schedules

Tapering means slowly reducing your drug use until you are completely drug-free. In most cases, tapering is safer than quitting drugs suddenly (which is also called “going cold turkey”). 

That’s because tapering gives your body time to adjust to life without drugs. 

Your doctors can create a personalized tapering schedule that meets your body’s specific needs. 

Symptoms Of Withdrawal

Withdrawal symptoms vary depending on various factors, including the drugs you used, how long you used the drugs, and your overall health. However, the most common withdrawal symptoms include:

• drug cravings
• sweating
• shaking
• loss of appetite
• nausea and vomiting
• cold, clammy skin
• fatigue
• trouble sleeping
• nightmares
• depression
• anxiety
• irritability
• mood swings

While these symptoms are uncomfortable, they’re usually not life-threatening. However, some people experience rare withdrawal symptoms that can have serious complications. These symptoms include:

• severe confusion
• hallucinations (seeing, hearing, or feeling things that aren’t there)
• seizures
• loss of consciousness

What Causes Withdrawal Symptoms?

When you regularly abuse a drug, your body may start relying on it to function. This is called physical dependence. 

When you’re physically dependent on a drug and stop using it, your body must relearn how to function without the drug. This experience can put significant stress on your body, causing withdrawal symptoms. 

How Much Does Medical Detox Cost?

The cost of medical detox depends on a variety of factors, including the detox center you choose, the length of your stay, and whether you choose inpatient or outpatient detox. 

In addition, your health insurance may cover some or all of your stay. To determine your payment options, contact your health insurance provider and the treatment facility you’re interested in. 

If you don’t have health insurance, consider taking out a loan, applying for a scholarship, starting a fundraiser, or asking loved ones to help you pay for treatment. 

What Happens After Medical Detox?

Although medical detox treats withdrawal symptoms, it does not treat drug cravings or other psychological aspects of addiction. Thus, in most cases, medical detox is only the first phase of the drug addiction treatment process. 

After you finish detox, your doctors will likely suggest that you attend a drug rehab program. Drug or alcohol rehab programs teach you how to manage drug cravings, strengthen your mental health, and build a fulfilling, drug-free life. 

Inpatient/Outpatient Care

Like detox programs, substance use disorder treatment is available on an inpatient or outpatient basis. 

Inpatient treatment programs (also called residential treatment programs) are generally recommended for people with moderate-to-severe addictions. Outpatient treatment programs may work for people with milder addictions. 

Addiction Treatment Services

Both inpatient and outpatient programs offer treatment services such as:

• behavioral therapy, where you can learn how to cope with drug cravings and any underlying behavioral health concerns that may have contributed to your drug abuse
• support groups, where you can connect with other people recovering from addiction and develop skills for relapse prevention
• medication-assisted treatment, where doctors prescribe medications to ease cravings and withdrawal symptoms associated with alcohol and opioids
• aftercare planning, where you and your doctors can identify strategies to promote your long-term recovery, such as ongoing therapy, regular exercise, and housing assistance

To learn about our medical detox and inpatient substance abuse treatment options, please contact Ohio Recovery Center. Our compassionate health care providers offer a variety of evidence-based recovery programs to help you or your loved one stay sober and healthy.