Medical Detox Irving
What is an alcohol or drug medical detox?
An alcohol or drug medical detox is a medically supervised withdrawal from substances. Medical professionals administer prescribed medications to the addict to eliminate any substances from the body. Withdrawal symptoms without medications can be painful and sometimes fatal. A medical detox can help keep a person comfortable and medically safe. To learn more about the process and how you or your loved one can find the help needed, please call Irving Drug Treatment Centers at (877) 804-1531.
What is the Medical Detox Process?
The mechanism of reducing the levels of abused substances in the body alleviates withdrawal symptoms that happen with an abrupt stop. Alcohol and many commonly used illicit substances can cause serious health complications or death in withdrawal. Medical detox is done in a treatment center setting where medical professionals monitor the person detoxing. This is the recommended option.
Why is it Dangerous to Detox at Home?
A home detox lacks medical supervision and can be dangerous or fatal. Emergencies or unexpected health complications can turn deadly with no doctors or nurses on hand. Requiring immediate medical attention for complications is common. Detoxing at home is a risky situation.
Types of Detox Programs
An alcohol detox program treats alcohol dependence by eliminating alcohol intake and using medications. These medications control the risk of seizures and also help stop further cravings for alcohol.
A drug detox depends on which substances are in the body. An opiate medical detox uses medication to replace opiates. By using medications doctors can help to relieve withdrawal symptoms and drug cravings. Methadone and Suboxone are two commonly prescribed medications. These meds also are used as relapse prevention methods.
What are Withdrawal Symptoms?
When a drinker tries to decrease or stop their amount of alcohol consumption, alcohol withdrawal symptoms may occur. Seizures, convulsions, tremors and disorientation are common with heavy drinkers. Hallucinations are known to occur in some cases.
Heroin withdrawal symptoms occur when a person tries to stop taking it with no prescribed medications. Symptoms are painful and can be fatal. Heroin withdrawal symptoms may include perspiration, nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal cramping and death.
What Medications are Used in Detox?
Drug treatment center doctors use medications for both detox and serious withdrawal. Some of the medications used include:
Neurontin: Helps reduce symptoms of alcohol withdrawal.
Naltrexone: Used for both alcohol and opioid dependence. It reduces the amount and severity of drinking relapses. Naltrexone also helps opiate addicts overcome the addiction by neutralizing opiates' effects.
Bupropion: reduces depression, commonly seen during an opiate medical detox, reducing the chances of relapsing.
After Detox
Medical detoxification isn't a one-time treatment. Appropriate follow-up treatment is needed or a detox alone may lead to a relapse. Once the body is cleaned of illicit substances, counseling, therapy, nutrition and aftercare services are all needed to achieve successful sobriety.
Residential treatment is the safest and most comfortable method for detoxing. Physical and mental health can be monitored around the clock by qualified medical staff. Medications will be administered to alleviate any uncomfortable symptoms. Nutrition, which is usually lacking in addicted individuals, is improved as well. The safe and sanitary environment provided in a medical detoxification center is needed for safe recovery.
Keeping in mind a detox should be paired with additional treatment. Additional treatment should be sought after the initial detox is completed. After the medical detox, other services including counseling, behavioral therapy and aftercare can help facilitate the process of recovering from a life of drugs and alcohol. You or a loved one don't have to suffer any longer from drug or alcohol addiction.