If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction, alcohol or drug addiction detox is an essential first step on the road to recovery. Detoxification can help rid the body of harmful toxins and give people struggling with addiction a fresh start. But what does drug addiction detox involve? It can be done at a hospital or an alcohol or drug detox center and involve medication-assisted treatment (MAT).
When considering alcohol or drug addiction treatment, you should expect to undergo an intake process at an addiction treatment center—before going through detox. This assessment will help the staff learn more about your level of addiction and any co-occurring mental health disorders you may have. It’s essential to be honest during this process so that the addiction treatment center can develop the best possible treatment plan for you.
What Should You Expect from Drug Addiction Detox?
After intake and assessment, detoxification is the first step in most alcohol or drug addiction treatment programs. The goal of detox is to rid your body of harmful toxins so that you can begin the process of recovery with a clean slate.
Most experts recommend medical detox for people struggling with addiction. Medical detox offers 24/7 supervision and support from a team of experienced professionals. It can also involve MAT, which uses medication to manage withdrawal symptoms and cravings.
The time you spend in medical detox will depend on several factors, such as the severity of your addiction, how long you’ve been using drugs, and which drugs are part of your addiction. Most people stay in detox for five to seven days. This type of detox can help make withdrawal symptoms more bearable and decrease the risk of relapse.
What Are Some Common Withdrawal Symptoms?
Withdrawal symptoms vary depending on the addictive substance. However, some common withdrawal symptoms include:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Irritability
- Fatigue
- Muscle aches and pains
- Headaches
- Insomnia
- Nausea and vomiting
MAT at an alcohol or drug detox center can help manage these symptoms so that you can focus on your recovery.
Why Do Most Experts Recommend Medical Detox?
Most experts recommend medical detox as a precursor to alcohol or drug addiction treatment because it’s the safest and most effective way to detoxify the body or a patient struggling with a substance use disorder.
Medications used in alcohol or drug addiction treatment as part of MAT include:
- Buprenorphine (Suboxone)
- Methadone
- Naltrexone
- Antidepressants
- Anti-anxiety medication
- Sleep aids
As mentioned earlier, these medications can help manage withdrawal symptoms and make detoxification more comfortable. They also decrease the risk of relapse, which is highest during the first few weeks of recovery.
What Happens After Alcohol or Drug Addiction Detox?
After you complete alcohol or drug addiction detox, you’ll have the option to continue your treatment in a residential or outpatient program. Residential programs typically last 30 days or more and provide around-the-clock care from a team of professionals. Outpatient programs allow you to live at home while receiving treatment during the day or evening. No matter which type of program you choose, continued treatment is essential for sustaining your sobriety in the long term.
Find Addiction Treatment That Fits Your Case Today
If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction, alcohol or drug addiction detox can help rid your body of harmful toxins and give you a fresh start. Most experts recommend medical detox because it’s the safest and most effective way to detoxify the body of someone struggling with addiction. After you complete detox, you’ll have the option to continue your treatment in a residential or outpatient program. All of this is part of the path to addiction recovery and should be considered immediately after addiction is recognized or confirmed.