Detoxification from substances is a pivotal step towards recovery. It is also a mental and physical challenge. Detox can be emotionally and physically exhausting. Sometimes detoxification can also kickoff life-threatening withdrawal symptoms. This is why you need the help of medical professionals who can monitor this process to ensure your health and safety.
Different Types of Detoxification
There are flexible clinical guidelines regarding detoxification. Factors such as your potential of developing acute withdrawal symptoms, your biomedical conditions, emotional conditions, and readiness to change may help determine the detoxification method selected. Medical professionals provide an evaluation to determine which level of care is medically necessary.
Ambulatory detoxification without extended onsite monitoring allows you to go through detoxification in a physician’s office or at home with a home health care agency. This level of care is an organized outpatient service at predetermined intervals. Ambulatory detoxification with extended onside monitoring offers the next level of care by providing 24-hour support for clients with acute intoxication or a high likelihood of strong withdrawal symptoms.
Residential or inpatient detoxification includes clinically managed and medically monitored care by providing a longer duration of 24-hour medically supervised detoxification services. Depending on the addictive substances used, medical professionals may prescribe medications that help the process of detoxing easier.
The Need for Monitored Detoxification
No matter which detoxification method you choose, for the duration of time under medical monitoring, clinical staff will observe you closely throughout the detox process. You are likely to be in their most vulnerable state during this period. There is always the risk for complications due to severe withdrawal symptoms. Medical protocols of detoxification help keep you safe and on the right track to early sobriety.
Medically monitored detoxification is not only necessary but also the safest way to remove the influence of drugs and alcohol from your body. Because substances affect both the body and the mind, removing them from the physical system only wins half of the battle. Sometimes bodily withdrawal symptoms can be very severe and include nausea, vomiting, chills, and even seizures. Self-initiate detoxification at home without the help of medical professionals can become very dangerous.
You may need medication to offset the severity of acute withdrawal symptoms. For example, if you use substances that can make you at risk for seizures during withdrawal, you should use medically monitored detoxification so that your body can endure this process safely. For example, if you use prescription opioids, heroin, benzodiazepines, and alcohol, you are more likely to require medically assisted detoxification than others.
The safest and most successful detoxification is performed by trained medical professionals in a specialized facility after a comprehensive assessment. Medications will be tailored to your specific conditions and reactions to detox. Because medically monitored detoxification lasts around two weeks, you will have time to fully rid all toxins from your system while adapting to a new healthy routine.
After Monitored Detoxification
You may want to go home immediately after completing monitored detoxification. Although you feel better and are temporarily removed from the effects of substances, the risk for relapse is very high if you return to your previous lifestyle. If you do relapse, you are at a greater risk of overdosing. This is because your tolerance level in the body will be changed after detox treatment.
Remaining for the next phase of recovery in a residential program provides the best transition. The next level of care involves medical professionals and recovery experts helping you rebuild a recovery mindset and healthy lifestyle. The core of this phase is relapse prevention. As is common with substance use disorders, you may also have co-occurring mental health issues that tend to trigger urges and cravings. These problems of the mind need to be addressed before you can live a sober and healthy life at home.
Preparing for Long-term Recovery
Detoxification is the beginning of sobriety and recovery. It clears the way for the next chapter of your life. Although detoxification gives a clean slate, the challenge is to maintain it. If early sobriety is viewed as fully reaching recovery, you will soon discover that urges, cravings, and social triggers will re-emerge.
Honesty and humility are the guiding principles for long-term recovery. During recovery, you need a strong support system to keep running the race towards full recovery. You should not become complacent with early sobriety. At the same time, you should not lose sight of the ultimate prize. Having peer support and help from recovery specialists is crucial to running this marathon.
Are you or someone you know considering detox treatment for substance addiction? It is important to seek the appropriate level of care. If you suffer from severe symptoms of addiction, you should seriously consider medically monitored detoxification. For the duration of medical monitoring, clinical staff will observe you closely throughout the detox process. During this time, you are likely to be in your most vulnerable state, and there is always the risk for complications due to severe withdrawal symptoms. Medical protocols of detoxification help keep you safe and on the right track to early sobriety. Self-initiated detoxification at home without the help of medical professionals can become very dangerous. At Casa Recovery, we offer many treatment programs, including medically monitored detox. Your treatment team will work with you to provide you a customized, efficient, and effective treatment methods that have been developed and applied in clinical settings. Call us at (888) 928-2272.