What is Detox

Detox, or detoxification, is the method of allowing the body to clean itself and remove all traces of drugs or other substances, while dealing with the symptoms of withdrawal, caused by the detox, or cease of drug abuse. Often times, detox is the first step in a drug rehab program and is usually followed by other drug treatment therapies including behavioral therapy, and sometimes the use of medication throughout the detox to minimize the painful symptoms. Detox, followed with no type of drug treatment is not considered to be rehabilitation.

A majority of the time when an individual enters into a drug treatment program or facility, they are still under the influence of drugs or other substances, and thus disallows them to begin treatment immediately. With any harmful substance still in the body, the healing and treatment process cannot begin because your mind and body is still under the control of the drug. This is why detox is the first step to any rehabilitation. The detox process needs to be under medical supervision in order to avoid any serious health problems. The patient’s body feels like they need the substance, therefore detox can be very devastating to the body. Detox when done under controlled settings gives the person some relief of the painful withdrawal effects, making detox more productive. Detox attempted on one’s own is not recommended due to the potential of very serious side effects.

Withdrawals due to Detox

Withdrawals due to the detox process include a range of symptoms that come about when the consistent use of drugs in abruptly stopped or dramatically reduced. Detox withdrawal symptoms vary in the time it takes for the body to be cleansed depending on the type of drug that was being used and the length and frequency of use. Symptoms of detox also range from drug to drug as they affect the mind and body differently. The physical symptoms that result from detox of heroin can include:

- restlessness
- muscle and bone pain
- insomnia
- diarrhea
- vomiting
- cold flashes

These actual physical symptoms of withdrawal due to detox can last for quite a few days, but depression is also a symptom, and that can last for weeks after the detox is complete. Medications can accompany the detox process to cut down on the severity of depression, but treating normal depression is much different than treating depression due to the detox of heroin.

Detox is done as the first step in any rehabilitation program because any presence of drugs in an individual’s body will keep the body and person craving drugs. Also, a person who is still under any influence of drugs will not be physically or mentally ready to begin the process of drug rehabilitation, thus making detox the first and most important start to any drug addiction treatment.

Detox Facilities in Drug Rehab Centers

Many drug rehabilitation centers are equipped with their own detox facility, which makes the transition much easier for all of the individuals who are attending the drug treatment and detox program. Some detox is done under a medical professional’s care, but is done through an outpatient process, where the patient does not need to remain at the facility. However, it has been noted that the most successful detox and drug rehabilitation is done at an inpatient drug treatment facility.

Drug Addictions that Require Detox

Addiction to prescription drugs like Oxycontin, Xanax, Vicodin and Lortab, all require supervised medical drug detox. The process of drug detox that needs to be medically supervised includes the need to closely monitor the vital signs of the individual, encouragement, and the administering of medications. Klonepin is commonly the medication given to individual’s undergoing drug detox, because it aids in the reduction of physical symptoms. Generally, the drug detox process usually lasts anywhere from three to seven days depending on the drug and the length and frequency of use.

Drug Detox: The First Step in Recovery

Drug detox is done as the first step in any rehabilitation program because any presence of drugs in an individual’s body will keep the body and person craving drugs. Also, a person who is still under any influence of drugs will not be physically or mentally ready to begin the process of drug rehabilitation, thus making drug detox the first and most important start to any drug addiction treatment.

Remember; don’t try to go through with the process of detox on your own. You at least need to consult a doctor first to avoid any major complications. The detox for some drugs is less painful and risky than others, so to be safe, be sure that you receive the needed care during the detox process, and that it is followed by some kind of rehab. Otherwise, you will most likely find yourself going through the pains and discomfort of withdrawal and detox more than once; Be successful the first time.