What Is Detox In Rehab?

The purpose of detox is to help you make it through the early stages of withdrawal. This is the period where your body is detoxing from the effects of drugs and alcohol, and this can have a significant impact on your mental and physical health. During this time, your body is going through a stressful transition, which means you are also likely to experience some uncomfortable symptoms.

I think the most important thing to understand about detox is that it’s not treatment in and of itself. It’s the first step to getting better for people who are dependent on alcohol. It’s a way to break the physical dependency but what happens after detox is when the real treatment begins.

Detox alone isn’t treatment, but it’s the first step to getting better for people who are dependent on alcohol. The most common symptoms of alcohol withdrawal are tremors, sweating, and an increased pulse rate (above 100 beats per minute). Withdrawal can also cause anxiety, irritability, insomnia, nausea, vomiting, and even seizures. Everyone is different when it comes to addiction and the severity of withdrawal symptoms is often a reflection of the severity of addiction. The withdrawal symptoms for heroin addicts, for example, are much more serious than those of someone addicted to cigarettes.

Many people have tried to detox from alcohol or drugs without any kind of support, but it’s often a miserable and dangerous experience. It’s extremely sad how many people put themselves with agonizing withdrawals, without the support of the latest medications to make the whole process easier. It’s even sadder when people put themselves through this only to go back to their addictions. They say disease is an addiction of the mind. This means even if you manage to get the substances out of your system, the mindset and circumstances that lead you to your addiction in the first place will almost certainly cause you to go back.

 

How is it done: Different Types Of Detox

If you or a loved one is struggling with an addiction or alcoholism, you have two basic options for detox programs. Inpatient detox programs are ones where you live at a hospital, detox clinic, or residential rehab center during the process.

 

Outpatient Detox Programs

During outpatient detox programs, you live at home while going to a medical facility for your detox. You’ll attend group sessions and receive medication in the same way you would in an inpatient or residential detox, however the success rates with this type of program are lower since patients are still exposed to the same people and places during this very delicate phase of recovery. You’ll also have the opportunity to join the best intensive outpatient program in Los Angeles.

 

Inpatient Detox Programs

Inpatient treatment at a hospital or medical center isn’t as common as it used to be, but these programs make sense if you have serious medical or mental health issues. This type of treatment is the most intensive of all, but it can be very effective because you’ll be in a controlled environment with highly qualified medical professionals.

 

Inpatient Residential Rehab Programs

Residential rehab centers are where you live at home-like setting where you’re monitored 24/7 and typically stay for periods of 1-3 months. If you have a more serious problem, or if your addiction has had a negative impact on your relationships and your job, then residential rehab is a great option. Detox is a prerequisite to attending our Los Angeles residential rehab program to ensure safety.

Picture of a Addiction Detox Setting in our California Rehab

At Home Detox vs Detox in Rehab

Don’t try to detox at home. If you’re physically dependent on drugs or alcohol, it’s a good idea to go to a detox center. A detox center can help you with the withdrawal symptoms so that you don’t have to deal with them on your own. Alcohol detox at home is never a good idea. Quitting “cold turkey” or without medical supervision can lead to serious issues such as seizures and severe dehydration. If these symptoms aren’t addressed, they can lead to serious health concerns. People who are addicted to alcohol, benzos, or heroin can have extremely serious withdrawal symptoms that can be fatal. It’s important that if you are addicted to any of these substances to seek professional help as soon as possible.

Attending our detox in Santa Monica has an extremely low risk factor for multiple reasons. Firstly, you’re in a safe environment and supervised 24/7. This means the temptation to go out and use will be much lower, especially if you go to detox in rehab out of town. Secondly, the withdrawals are greatly reduced. Medically assisted detoxification has come very far over the years, and many report that the withdrawal period was not even close to as bad as they thought it would be.

Since the medical staff is constantly monitoring your blood pressure and adjusting medication as necessary, the medical risks of detoxing from any substance are almost non-existent in this setting.

 

What are the risks of Detox in Rehab?

All drugs have a half-life. The half-life of a drug is the amount of time it takes for half of the drug in your system to be metabolized. Some drugs like alcohol and heroin have short half-lives, meaning that they leave your system very quickly. This also means that the withdrawals will kick in faster. It is within the first 24 hours that mild to moderate withdrawals kick in.

When you first get sober, you’re not going to be able to sleep. A lot of your brain chemistry is out of whack and it takes some time for it to recalibrate. During the first three days of withdrawal, you may get a headache, experience nausea and vomiting, feel tired, and have trouble sleeping. These unpleasant symptoms usually subside within a week, but some people may experience mild cravings for up to six months. In the first week, you’ll feel many of the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal, including tremors, anxiety, nausea, and insomnia. You may also notice that your skin appears flushed and you’re sweating more, which are symptoms of hyperhidrosis, a condition that causes excessive sweating.

Our Santa Monica inpatient detox programs themselves range from 7 to 28 days. Following detox, ongoing residential rehab may be suggested to minimize chances of relapse.

 

What to expect going to detox in rehab

When you arrive at detox in rehab, you’ll check-in and be introduced to your doctors, nurses, and staff. This team of professionals will support you throughout detox, and oftentimes through treatment as well.

The first step when it comes to getting into recovery is to see a doctor who will conduct an assessment of your situation. As a medical professional, your physician is the most qualified person to diagnose you, and your first appointment will include a physical exam and other tests, like blood and urine tests. Your doctor will also ask you more about your past drug and alcohol usage in order to create a medication plan that will make detox in rehab as comfortable as possible.

The next thing you’ll likely do is talk with your counselor. This individual will ask about your drug or alcohol use, mental health, and family history to design a treatment plan that’s specific for your situation. This initial session is a great opportunity to share your concerns and ask for clarity.

Picture of a Addiction Detox Setting in our California Rehab

How long does detox in rehab take?

All drugs have a half-life. The half-life of a drug is the amount of time it takes for half of the drug in your system to be metabolized. Some drugs like alcohol and heroin have short half-lives, meaning that they leave your system very quickly. This also means that the withdrawals will kick in faster. It is within the first 24 hours that mild to moderate withdrawals kick in.

When you first get sober, you’re not going to be able to sleep. A lot of your brain chemistry is out of whack and it takes some time for it to recalibrate. During the first three days of withdrawal, you may get a headache, experience nausea and vomiting, feel tired, and have trouble sleeping. These unpleasant symptoms usually subside within a week, but some people may experience mild cravings for up to six months.

In the first week, you’ll feel many of the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal, including tremors, anxiety, nausea, and insomnia. You may also notice that your skin appears flushed and you’re sweating more, which are symptoms of hyperhidrosis, a condition that causes excessive sweating.

The inpatient detox programs themselves range from 7 to 28 days. Following detox, ongoing residential rehab may be suggested to minimize chances of relapse.

Sea Change Recovery’s detox has helped thousands of people struggling with addiction regain sobriety and transform their lives for decades. To aid their residents in this process, the facility offers both medically assisted detox and a comprehensive program of group and individual counseling, holistic therapies, and life skills training. To help people prepare for the process of getting clean, its website offers information on the different types of detox, the symptoms you may experience as your body rids itself of toxins, and how to get the most out of the process. Reach out with 100% confidentiality to speak to someone who cares now. If you’re not quite ready to make a call, you can also check out our recent article on finding the best rehab in Los Angeles.