Detoxing is undeniably the most physically challenging part of the recovery process. Throughout this time, the body is adjusting to the shock of being substance-free, and relearning how to function over a prolonged period of abstinence. Depending upon how long a person has been addicted to drugs, and the types of drugs used, the symptoms of withdrawal can be severe. People can contend with:
- Excessive sweating
- Rapid temperature fluctuations
- Nausea and vomiting
- Heart palpitations
- Headaches
and more. Although some addicts initially prefer detoxing at home, going “cold turkey” in an environment that lacks supervision is both unnecessarily challenging and outright dangerous. This is especially true when detoxing from opiates, alcohol, and any other substances for which the symptoms of withdrawal are especially severe. As you search your options in rehab environments and treatment types, you may be wondering which drug detox method is best for your needs.
You have the option of choosing from medically assisted treatment (MAT), holistic or natural detox, and general, state-run detox services among others. Each program type offers its own unique array of support services and therapies for alleviating patient discomfort, ensuring patient safety, and expediting the return to balanced functioning and good health. Among some of the factors that will help determine the best program style for your needs are your history of failed recovery attempts, your general health, and the nature of your addiction.
How Different Detox Programs Are Structured
Medically assisted detox consistently ranks among the most popular detox types. These services are designed to mitigate the primary and secondary symptoms of withdrawal from start to finish by leveraging medications for:
- Supporting the filter organs
- Mitigating chemical changes that have occurred in brain functioning
- Keeping patients properly hydrated
- Expediting toxin removal
- Promoting mood balance
and stabilizing all vital signs. Patients who take part in these detox programs are monitored around the clock. Moreover, the medical professionals on staff have extensive knowledge of the detox and withdrawal timelines that commonly present with each substance type. They administer medications according to industry best practices, expected schedules for peak symptoms, and according to the unique needs of the individual patient. For clients, these services make the entire detox process less physically and emotionally overwhelming, even as they set the stage for success in ongoing addiction treatment. Natural or holistic detox programs can be run in a variety of ways.
With natural, holistic centers, a whole-body or whole-health approach is taken for restoring normal functioning, mitigating symptoms, and promoting overall comfort and safety. Some of the strategies used in these environments include IV infusions for introducing restorative antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients, promoting hydration, and speeding up the breakdown and elimination of both substances and residual toxins. When safe to do so, many holistic centers encourage patients to get up and get moving. Following the peak of primary withdrawal symptoms, stress management therapies like yoga and meditation are frequently offered for minimizing the secondary psychological and emotional effects of withdrawal. A holistic or nature-based detox might be right for you if you want to start your recovery totally free of any drugs, including prescription medications.
For people seeking to break long-running addictions to prescription medications, learning how to manage pain, and how to fight temptations, cravings, and other triggers in an all-natural and holistic way can be incredibly beneficial. Many state-run facilities take a conventional medical approach to detox. These locations mitigate the symptoms of withdrawal with a variety of therapies, and use the latest, accepted medications for mitigating symptoms. However, some state-run facilities might also encourage their patients to weather the challenges of withdrawal with as little medical intervention as possible. For certain forms of substance use disorder, this approach is believed to help the brain adapt more quickly to completely drug-free functioning.
Thus, in the right facilities, patients can get a balanced blend of both natural detox and medication assisted detox. One of the most important things to know about different detox options is that professionally managed detox is always better than attempting to detox at home. People who try implementing self-managed weaning programs or simply go “cold turkey” have the highest failure rates across all detox types. Absent of the right support and lacking reliable medical supervision, detoxing is guaranteed to be difficult and dangerous. If you’re ready to take this critical step towards launching your recovery and want to find the right rehab facility and program type for your needs, we can help. Contact us now by calling 833-846-5669.