Some people with addiction issues may believe that medically supervised detox is the same as drug treatment. Actually, it is provided before entering addiction treatment center programs, such as Rockland Recovery. Learning about medically supervised drug and alcohol detox likely allows for understanding the importance of completing addiction treatment after successful addiction detox.
The Importance of Medically Supervised Detox
Medically supervised detox is sometimes mistakenly considered substance abuse treatment by individuals with addiction issues or by their loved ones. Detox from drugs is not addiction treatment. That may sound shocking and raise questions about what exactly is medically supervised detox.
Medically supervised detoxification refers to a set of interventions that manage acute intoxication and withdrawal from alcohol and other drugs. It does not change the long-term drug use or the behavioral, psychological, or social issues associated with addiction to alcohol and other drugs.
Medically supervised detox may take place at an addiction treatment center, where the individual enters into a treatment program after completing detox. It is a very strong precursor to treatment for many people, and without it, some people are not prepared to enter into long-term recovery. There are several reasons that medically supervised detox is so important. Some reasons include:
- Medically supervised detox rids the body of drugs
- Detox manages the acute effects of suddenly stopping the drug use
- Medical supervision is provided to manage the withdrawal effects with medications or other protocols
- The detox evaluation allows for individualized services rather than a one size fits all approach
Another fact about addiction detox is that there are varying levels of intensity that are based on the needs of each individual. Perhaps you need detox from only one drug, or you may need to detox from several substances.
Withdrawal During Addiction Detox
Some people use that age-old phrase, “I can stop using anytime I want to stop.” In most cases, this simply isn’t true. In fact, trying to detox on your own is potentially dangerous. That is one more reason that medically supervised detoxification is so important. Medical personnel is constantly there with you to help you through the process.
The sudden withdrawal from any drug may cause dangerous side effects. Several sources indicate that not only can the withdrawal symptoms be unpleasant, but that in some cases, they can be fatal. Some withdrawal symptoms that clients may experience during detox include:
- Restlessness or anxiety, or depression
- Sleep disturbances such as insomnia
- Gastrointestinal issues such as nausea or vomiting
- Headaches or other pain such as muscle pains
- Tremors
Professionally trained medical professionals have no way of knowing who may or may not experience potentially dangerous withdrawal in advance.
Benefits of Medically Supervised Detoxification
Do you or your loved one have a meth addiction, a fentanyl addiction, heroin addiction, or addiction to other drugs? Addiction detox benefits clients entering into a men’s rehab treatment program or a women’s rehab treatment program. Another benefit of medical supervision during addiction detox is that the client has the ability to detox from alcohol and other types of drugs in a safe environment. Individuals that have medical staff available at all times can receive several services from physicians or other trained professionals.
Entering medically supervised detox prepares you for treatment at a comprehensive treatment center such as Rockland Recovery. The Rockland Recovery addiction treatment center provides a wide range of treatment options after the client completes their medically supervised detox.
Ease Your Withdrawal with Our Medically Supervised Detox and Treatment Programs
You do not have to let drugs control your life any longer. Turn to Rockland Recovery, where our caring staff guides you through the assessment and the treatment process. Contact us today at 855.732.4842 to learn more about our therapies that treat the whole person. Get started on your recovery today.
