What to Expect During Medical Detoxification

If you’re struggling with addiction to drugs or alcohol, the thought of going to detox and treatment may be overwhelming and even frightening. However, knowing what to expect can ease your mind and give you the motivation to move forward to a healthier life.

What Is Medical Detoxification?

Medical detoxification, commonly called just detox, is a process of managing withdrawal from addictive substances. When you’re addicted to drugs or alcohol, your body becomes accustomed to having them, and when you stop using, you’ll suffer from uncomfortable or even dangerous withdrawal symptoms. Medical detox is a supervised inpatient process to keep you safe as your body adjusts to not having drugs or alcohol.

Do You Need Medical Detox?

If you are planning to quit using drugs or alcohol, and are concerned about withdrawal, you likely need a medical detox if:

• You’ve been using a significant amount of the substance on a regular basis for an extended period of time.
• You’ve been using an increasing amount of the substance to get the same effects.
• You experience cravings for the substance when you’re not using it.
• You’ve tried to quit and found that you can’t because of withdrawal symptoms.

Drugs that may require medical detox include:

• Alcohol: Withdrawal symptoms from alcohol include increased heart rate and blood pressure, tremors, nausea, and vomiting. In more severe cases, alcohol withdrawal can lead to hallucinations, seizures, and delirium tremens, which can be fatal.
• Benzodiazepines like Xanax and Valium: Withdrawal symptoms range from sweating and rapid heart rate, to severe anxiety and dangerous seizures.
• Opioids: Withdrawal is usually not life threatening but can cause extremely uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms including anxiety, nausea, and vomiting.
• Stimulants like cocaine and methamphetamine: Withdrawal can cause depression, but medically supervised detox is recommended due to the high risk of relapse.
• Some prescription drugs like muscle relaxers: Withdrawal is generally not dangerous but can have uncomfortable symptoms.
• Synthetic drugs like fentanyl: Withdrawal is unpredictable, so medical detox is recommended for safety purposes.

What to Expect During Medical Detox

The first step in detox is a medical and psychological evaluation to determine the best course of treatment for you. Your treatment plan may include medications to minimize your withdrawal symptoms, and for any co-occurring mental health disorders that you may have, such as anxiety or depression.

Throughout the detox process, you’ll be closely monitored by medical professionals to ensure that you are safe. They will regularly check your vital signs including your blood pressure.

You’ll also participate in individual and group therapy during the detox period, which is usually seven to ten days, although for some substances, it can take significantly longer.

Medications Used in Medical Detox

A variety of medications may be used in medical detox to manage withdrawal symptoms.

Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines are used for alcohol withdrawal and in limited doses for benzodiazepine withdrawal. Examples of benzodiazepines used in medical detox include Librium, Valium, and Ativan.

Anticonvulsants

Anticonvulsants are used to prevent seizures. They include Gabapentin, Carbamazepine, and Vigabatrin.

Methadone

Methadone may be used to ease the symptoms of opioid withdrawal. Sometimes methadone is used after detox is over to ease cravings and reduce relapse risk.

Buprenorphine

Buprenorphine products like Suboxone are used to treat opioid addiction.

Naltrexone

Naltrexone may be used to treat opioid or alcohol addiction. It works by reducing cravings.

What Happens After Medical Detox

Medical detox is only the first step in treating drug and alcohol addiction. While it may only last for seven to ten days, a full inpatient treatment program usually lasts for at least 28 days. Following inpatient treatment, a partial hospitalization program (PHP) begins, which consists of therapy four to eight hours per day, four to five days per week. Next, an intensive outpatient program starts, which is two to three hours of therapy per day, two to three times per week.

The most common type of individual therapy used in treatment at all levels is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). In cognitive behavioral therapy, you learn to recognize your irrational or negative thoughts, and to challenge these thoughts with more reasonable, reality-based thoughts. For example, if you find yourself thinking that you can use your drug of choice one more time, you challenge that thought with something like “I can’t use ever again. It’s ruined my life, and I need to get better.”

In CBT, you also learn healthy coping skills to deal with life’s challenges and stressful situations without using drugs or alcohol.

Group therapy is also an integral part of addiction treatment. It allows peers to interact and share their stories, emotions, and questions, and to learn more about the nature of addiction. It also helps you to understand that you are not alone in your struggles, and that other people have made the same mistakes that you have.

What Happens After Your Addiction Treatment Program

Recovery from addiction is a lifelong process. After your treatment is over, you’ll still need support to navigate your recovery journey. Many people find support groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous helpful. They allow you to continue to interact with peers, and also to form relationships with people who can become part of your support system.

Some treatment programs may also refer you to a peer support network, which connects you with a peer who is also in recovery that you can interact with one on one. Often, these peers have been trained to be mentors so that they can offer you the support that you need.

Additionally, you may want to consider continuing individual therapy. This can give you a safe space to talk about your challenges, and to continue to practice coping skills.

For some, family therapy can also be helpful. During active addiction, it’s likely that some of your family relationships were damaged, and family therapy can help you to restore bonds and heal your relationships.

Doing all of these things will help you to build a sober support network of peers, professionals, and loved ones who you can turn to when you’re facing challenges. A sober support network keeps you from being isolated, which is a huge risk factor for relapse.

In Closing

Medical detoxification does not have to be scary if you know what to expect. It’s the first step on a path to a better, healthier, more fulfilling life, and a better you. Reach out to Bridges of Hope today to take that first step. We are here to offer you compassionate care and support.