What Is Detoxification?
If you are addicted to alcohol or drugs, you’ll often need to go through a detoxification process as the first crucial step in recovery from all forms of substance use disorders (SUDs).
Detox is a process where all traces of drugs or substances get removed from the body to ensure that your body is physically stable and ready to begin addiction therapy. It is based on the principle that someone physically ill might find it challenging to tackle underlying mental health disorders such as addiction.
The main aim of drug detoxification is to handle the physical aspects of addiction, so clients stay prepared to address the psychological part of the addiction in an intensive addiction rehab program.
Keep reading for more information about detox centers in Mesa, AZ and the effective treatment programs offered by Pathfinders Recovery!
Why is a Medical Detox Necessary?
Addiction to alcohol or drugs causes the body to adjust to always needing the substance. The brain needs time to readjust to the new normal after gradually reducing and eliminating these substances during detox.
Those affected often suffer from a variety of distressing withdrawal symptoms as a result. Detoxification attempts to lessen the severity of withdrawal symptoms and maximize the patient’s sense of security and comfort.
Medically assisted detox, with the support of knowledgeable professionals, is the most successful approach. This is typically done at a dedicated detox center or facility under the supervision of medical experts and doctors.
Attempting to detox on your own rarely leads to success and often leads to severe withdrawal signs that may demotivate you and increase the likelihood of relapse. Contact our team today for information on how to beat addiction and get your life back on track.
Factors that Affect the Detox Experience
Detox helps manage withdrawal symptoms when you stop taking drugs and alcohol. Medications administered during detox help ensure recovering drug users stay comfortable as drugs exit the body. However, no detox experience is the same.
It may take a few days or even months to complete the detox phase for most substances. Factors that affect the length of withdrawal include the following:
- Type of drug
- Duration of use
- Route of administration
- Amount of drugs taken
- Family history
- Underlying medical and psychological conditions
What is a Detox Center?
Detox centers are designed to make the first steps of rehabilitation from substance abuse as safe and comfortable as possible for patients. Medical professionals tailor treatment to their specific needs to maximize the likelihood of a favorable reaction from the addict.
It’s important to remember that the intensity of your addiction will determine the type of detox treatment that will be most effective. Regular meetings with a professional might help someone with a minor addiction manage withdrawal symptoms and get their life back on track. In contrast, those with severe addiction may need constant monitoring to progress.
There are two different types of detox programs available, and they cater to varying degrees of addiction:
Outpatient Detox Centers
Treatment in an outpatient detox center often occurs during the day, and patients can return home at night. Clients with less severe or recent addictions, those with strong social networks, or those without complicating medical conditions benefit most from this sort of treatment approach.
Inpatient Detox Centers
Inpatient detox centers offer 24-hour supervision and medical care for clients with severe substance abuse problems or co-occurring disorders. Detox centers typically have a minimum and maximum number of days they will keep patients in their care.
What to Expect at Our Detox Centers in Mesa
Depending on the specifics of your drug addiction, drug detoxification often involves the following:
Assessment and Evaluation
Clients undergoing medication assisted treatment usually undergo a comprehensive medical evaluation to determine their precise needs as the first step in the detoxification process.
During this initial assessment, an addiction expert will gather information about your health and addiction history to create a unique detoxification strategy that matches your needs.
The medical team often uses blood tests to determine the amount of drugs in your system and gauge the level of medications needed.
Drug Withdrawal and Stabilization
Withdrawal symptoms often occur once your blood alcohol content (BAC) and/or drug concentration (CD) begins to drop. Many people in detox will experience identical symptoms because of the similarities between drug withdrawal and alcohol withdrawal.
However, the duration of alcohol or drug dependence, the addictive substance used, tolerance level, consumption habits, and mental and physical health affect the onset and severity of withdrawal symptoms.
Even if you have gone through detox before, it’s vital to remember that the detox experience will be different from everyone else’s, and each subsequent detox will also be unique.
There is a vast spectrum of physical and mental symptoms associated with withdrawal.
Some potential physical withdrawal signs and symptoms include:
- Sickness, including nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
- Excessive sweating
- Sneezing and a runny nose
- Extreme body temperatures
- Increased heartbeat
- Elevated blood pressure
- Headaches
- Cramps in the abdomen
- Pain in muscles and bones
- Exhaustion
Possible psychological withdrawal symptoms are:
- Irritability
- Anxiety
- Confusion
- Paranoia
- Insomnia
- Depression
- Agitation
- Not being able to focus
- Moods swings
- Intense drug cravings
Drug withdrawal may also have severe consequences such as seizures, hallucinations, and delirium.
Detox Medication for Drugs and Alcohol
As part of the detox process, patients may be prescribed carefully monitored medicine to aid in managing withdrawal symptoms. Although no drug exists to eliminate withdrawal symptoms, some medications offer a wide range of benefits, such as reducing stress and promoting restful sleep.
Based on the admissions assessment and severity of the addiction, below are some of the pharmaceuticals used to manage withdrawals and prevent relapse:
- Antidepressants and Benzodiazepines: These are primarily used during alcohol detox. They help reduce the effect of symptoms like nausea, insomnia, headaches, convulsions, and delirium tremens.
- Opioid Antagonists: Opioid antagonists block the opioid receptors in the brain, making your body reject all opioid drugs. They prevent you from experiencing the drug’s euphoric effects, reducing the desire to take it.
- Opioid Agonists: These medications yield a mild opioid effect and create a ceiling above which their effects won’t rise, irrespective of the amount you consume.
24/7 Support at Our Medical Detox
When detoxing at our facility, you’ll be closely monitored around the clock by our staff and doctors. Research shows that compassionate and supportive care is equally as important as medication for a successful detox.
How Long Do Detox Centers in Mesa Offer Services?
Various variables can affect how long detox takes. For example, alcohol withdrawal symptoms often peak tend and plateau after about a week. If you attempt to quit drinking alone, especially after heavy use, you may face serious health risks that may be fatal.
Detoxing from other substances, such as benzodiazepines, might take significantly longer, even up to two weeks. However, implementing long-term relapse prevention modifications and efficiently managing triggers is more important than the time it takes to remove the harmful substances from the body.
People suffering from substance abuse disorder can benefit from detox in an inpatient or outpatient setting. It allows you to learn new coping mechanisms and helps you endure the emotional and physical discomforts of withdrawal.
Can You Detox at Home?
Attempting detoxification at home is not only risky but also potentially lethal. Seizures and extreme dehydration are only two significant complications that might result from trying to quit “cold turkey” or without medical supervision.
These dangerous problems can be avoided with the support of detox programs. Inpatient detox is recommended for those with severe addictions because of the potentially lethal effects of withdrawal. Our drug and alcohol detox centers provide around-the-clock care for our clients.
Substance Abuse Treatment Approaches
Once you complete drug detoxification, you can transition to addiction treatment and therapy. Our drug rehab center offers various treatment options to match your needs. There is one single approach that can treat addiction. The treatment programs include a blend of multiple approaches to match your requirements.
Substance use disorder treatment is a comprehensive process that requires self-control and determination. Below are the most common addiction treatment options:
Residential Treatment or Inpatient Programs
Inpatient drug rehabilitation involves living in the rehab center while receiving treatment. Residential treatment is the best option for most people since it allows them to avoid potential triggers. The inpatient setting might be a homelike environment at a luxury rehab or addiction treatment in a clinical setting.
Most residential programs offer a combination of the two, providing a comfortable, familiar setting reminiscent of home for clients to rest and recover. The primary benefit of inpatient addiction treatment is that the patient’s daily activities are focused solely on their progress in recovery.
Outpatient Drug Rehab
Addiction therapy is available in a non-residential setting, known as outpatient drug rehab centers. The levels of outpatient care include:
- Outpatient substance abuse treatment
- Partial hospitalization program (PHP)
- Intensive outpatient programs (IOPs)
Each level has a different time commitment. Outpatient rehabilitation programs typically involve patients receiving treatment multiple times each week and returning home. Schedules for outpatient programs can be modified to fit around the client’s other obligations, such as job or school.
The outpatient treatment program can be challenging for some people. Staying at home puts them close to enablers and triggers. An outpatient rehabilitation program is most useful as a transition from inpatient treatment facilities.
Types of Addiction Therapies in Mesa, AZ
Addiction treatment therapies vary widely and can be customized based on an individual’s unique needs and SUD. Therapy options include a wide array of individual and group therapy sessions, such as:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): CBT helps people uncover the thoughts and feelings which may contribute to relapse or compromise their sobriety. It also helps treat co-occurring mental health issues like PTSD and bipolar disorder.
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): DBT helps treat people with addiction and severe mental health disorders like obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). This therapy helps boost self-esteem, teaches stress management skills, and encourages people to avoid triggers.
- Biofeedback Therapy: Biofeedback is a drug-free therapy that allows people recovering from drug abuse to understand the body’s involuntary processes. Medical professionals audit brain activity and recommend psychological approaches to beat addiction.
- Motivational Enhancement Therapy(MET): MET helps people in recovery learn how to alter destructive thought and behavior patterns related to their addiction.
- Psychodynamic Therapy: Psychodynamic therapy allows people to explore their emotions and learn the effects of their subconscious thoughts on substance abuse.
Following Detox: Aftercare Planning
Long-term sobriety is the primary goal of any drug or alcohol addiction treatment program. To ensure people with SUDs maintain their sobriety and make progress in their recovery, it is recommended that they continue with therapy sessions regularly after they have completed substance abuse treatment services.
Drug and alcohol rehab is only the beginning of recovery, which lasts a person’s entire life. Before leaving a substance abuse program, clients will meet with counselors to review their continuing care alternatives.
Support groups and 12-step programs are among the most common aftercare plans. You can also transition to a sober living home.
Get Help for Drug and Alcohol Addiction in Mesa, Arizona
Don’t battle addiction or SUDs alone. Get your life back on track with the help of licensed addiction treatment professionals and behavioral health specialists at Pathfinders.
If you or a loved one is suffering from drug and alcohol addiction, Pathfinders Recovery Center in Scottsdale is close to Mesa, AZ, and offers both inpatient and outpatient programs accessible to residents of Mesa and the surrounding communities.
Call us today for a confidential discussion or schedule an appointment to kick start your journey toward recovery now!
