Nearly everyone who is looking to get treatment for a substance abuse issue will have to go through a detox process. The reason is that as long as the drug is still present in the system, and the body is still dependent on it, the rehab and recovery process can’t begin. And until that takes place, you can’t start to treat the underlying mental and behavioral issues that contribute to the addiction.
Searching online using phrases like “local drug rehabs” or “drug detox near me” will bring up a lot of available facilities in your area, and with that many different options for a detox program. But what exactly should you expect to go through when detoxing? Here is a quick but thorough guide:
What Exactly Is Detoxification?
This is the process in which the patient has all drugs and/or alcohol flushed out of their system, preparing them for the mental and therapeutic aspects of healing and recovery. This period gets them physically and emotionally stable and helps them get their physiological processes regulated.
What Goes On During a Medically Assisted Drug Detox?
While each facility will have a slightly different procedure or order about how things are done, some of the aspects of detoxing are pretty universal. Searching online for “drug detox near me” will let you look at their details online. They should include:
A Through Medical Evaluation
The first thing that happens is an in-depth evaluation of the patient’s overall health, details regarding their drug abuse, a medical history, and other information to create a custom detox and rehab plan.
The Withdrawal Process
As the substance is gradually purged out of the system, certain symptoms and side effects will arise. It could be any combination of the following:
Physical Symptoms:
- Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
- Shivering and shaking
- Sweating
- Runny nose
- Headaches
- Increased heart rate
- Increased blood pressure
- High temperature and/or chills
- Bone and Muscle pain
- Abdominal cramps
- Unpleasant vivid dreams
- Exhaustion
Psychological Symptoms:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Agitation
- Irritability
- Confusion
- Inability to concentrate
- Extreme mood swings
- Paranoia
- Intense cravings for the drug
- Insomnia
Possible Severe Withdrawal Symptoms
- Seizures
- Hallucinations
- Delirium
Pharmaceutical Assistance
Most patients are given medicine to help manage the withdrawal effects that come with detoxing. This includes not only physical pain and discomfort, but also depression and anxiety, interference with sleep, and other co-occurring problems.
Around-the-Clock Monitoring and Care
A comfortable, safe, and compassionate environment is a huge asset in detoxing and getting sober. Also, ridding your system of a substance it has long been dependent on can lead to unexpected health concerns. Being monitored continually greatly reduces the chances of it being serious or fatal.
Sadly, “Drug Detox Near Me” Searches Are Getting More Common
The increasingly addictive substances that are entering the drug market, the ease with which to get them, and increasingly hard economic times are a perfect storm for rising drug abuse. Taking the step to detox and get clean is more rewarding than you can possibly imagine.
And while that is only the beginning, you will find that once you see the world without a drug-induced haze over it, a lot of things seem more achievable.
