The first step to getting sober at a luxury drug rehab facility is going through detox. The body becomes not only behaviorally dependent on drugs but physically dependent as well. The chemistry of the brain changes to require drugs, and stopping cold turkey can cause very painful effects. This makes it very difficult for individuals to quit doing drugs on their own without help. However, there is a better way to experience detox with the help of medication and addiction professionals. Keep reading to learn more about medicated-assisted detox, withdrawal symptoms, and how medicated-assisted detox puts you on the right path toward long-term successful sobriety.
What to Expect During Medicated-Assisted Detox
Detox is a very difficult experience for many. It causes terrible physical symptoms and can drive people to relapse. In fact, it is during the detox period that the likelihood of relapse is the highest. This makes it very important to detox with the help of medical professionals so that it is not only more comfortable but safe as well. With medicated-assisted detox, you can expect:
- Nursing care and Incidental Medical Services (IMS) available around the clock
- Provide relief from withdrawal symptoms with medication and treatments
- Ensure clients’ safety
- Gourmet meals cooked by a chef
- Rest and relaxation in a private, luxurious room
- Resort-style grounds to unwind and destress
- Ocean views
Medicated-Assisted Detox Risk Factors
Quitting cold turkey from drugs and alcohol is very difficult. It can be a large shock to the body and can drive even the most well-intentioned people to use again. The length of time it takes to detox drugs and alcohol from the body varies from person to person. Just as you might have different symptoms of a cold than the person next to you, you may have different symptoms from detox.
Risk factors that can determine the severity of symptoms may include:
- Age. The older you are, the more severe your symptoms may appear to be.
- Underlying health conditions. If you already have some health conditions such as anxiety or depression, these symptoms will worsen during the detox period.
- Length of addiction. The longer you have been addicted to something, the longer it may take to detox from it.
- Severity of addiction. If your addiction was severe and your tolerance and dependency were very high, you may experience more intense symptoms than someone who is treating their addiction earlier.
Detox Withdrawal Symptoms
Withdrawal symptoms from drugs usually occur within the first 3-6 hours after the last dose. During this time, symptoms will include:
- Anxiety
- Intense cravings
- Agitation or irritability
- High levels of stress
Symptoms peak within the first 24-36 hours after the last dose and can last up to 72 hours. During the peak withdrawal stage, symptoms will include:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Intense cravings
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Constipation
- Rapid heartbeat
- High blood pressure
- Insomnia
- Chills and/or sweats
- Flu-like symptoms
- Abdominal cramps
After the peak stage, symptoms will mostly subside. However, some acute symptoms might remain ongoing. These can include:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Cravings
Medications Used During Detox
There are many medications that are used during medicated-assisted detox. Some of these include:
- Acamprosate. This is a drug used during alcohol detox in order to minimize the desire to drink alcohol.
- Disulfiram. This medication is used as an alcohol deterrent by creating a bad reaction to the body after ingesting alcohol.
- Naltrexone. This is an injection that blocks the effects of opioids if an individual were to use any.
- Benzodiazepines and antidepressants. Treating the anxiety and depression that comes with medicated-assisted detox with Benzodiazepines will help people feel more stress-free and, therefore, their risk for relapse is lower.
- Anticonvulsants. Detox may cause seizures or extreme shakiness in some people, depending on the length and severity of the addiction.
- Anti-nausea medications. Having gastrointestinal issues and feeling sick is common with detox. Treating these symptoms with anti-nausea medication will help keep them at bay.
About The Pointe Malibu Recovery Center
Detoxing is a difficult process without the help of medical professionals. In fact, the fear of detox can be the very thing to deter people from getting the help they need. That is why medicated-assisted detox is so important: It will not only make you feel more comfortable during a difficult time physically and emotionally, but you will be safe and in the hands of experts who specialize in the field of addiction.
The Pointe Malibu Recovery Centers’ highly trained and experienced physicians, nursing staff, and clinicians guide our clients through the medical detox and stabilization process, all the way through to the end of the treatment stay. Our medical team works closely with each client to minimize the acute physical symptoms of withdrawal associated with stopping drug and/or alcohol use. Nursing care and Incidental Medical Services (IMS) are available around the clock to monitor clients’ status, provide relief from withdrawal symptoms, and ensure clients’ safety. Our medical approach utilizes medications to reduce the severity of withdrawal symptoms and vastly diminishes any risk of life-threatening dangers during stabilization.
After detox and stabilization, you or your loved one will be ready to receive counseling — one-on-one, group, and family sessions — so that you can learn the tools needed to stay sober and treat any underlying causes and conditions.
If you’re ready to start your journey to long-lasting recovery with the help of medicated-assisted detox, we are here for you.
