Drug and alcohol detoxification, or detox, is one of the first steps in any addiction treatment program. It’s a required part of living a sober life free from addiction and substance abuse. Without this, users would never be able to fully realize an independent life.

What Is Drug and Alcohol Detox?

Drug and alcohol detox is the process of ridding the body of outside substances in order for addiction treatment to begin. The reason detox is so important is that treating addiction or substance abuse requires both physical and mental work, something drugs and alcohol get in the way of as they weaken the physical and mental state of users.

The ability for drugs and alcohol to hinder how well our mind and body works is based on the development of dependence on a substance. Physical dependence is when the body starts producing smaller amounts of certain chemicals due to an outside substance causing more of them to be produced meaning the body doesn’t have to do the work. Once the substance is no longer being taken, the body panics and kicks into overdrive which is where withdrawal symptoms come into play.

Psychological dependency is also a concern when it comes to detoxing. When substance abuse is used as a coping mechanism, it can be near impossible for those fighting addiction to imagine functioning without it. Whether it’s used to self-medicate mental health issues or to cope with a specific trauma, drugs and alcohol quickly turn into a form of security that can be scary to get rid of.

When detoxing, the physical and psychological dependencies are broken, opening the way to recovery and sobriety. Medically assisted detox works to minimize the severity of withdrawal symptoms to make the idea of detoxing more inviting. A comfortable experience is what our team strives to provide at America’s Rehab Campuses, from intake to end of treatment.

What Is the Process Of Medically Assisted Detox?

Approaching medical detox takes a customized strategy based on the current state of the individual. The intensity of medically assisted detox depends on the type of substance being abused, how often it’s used, how long the use has been going on and the amount used each time. For more severe cases of addiction and dependency, medical professionals are able to administer medication to help ease the pain and other symptoms experienced during detox.

Withdrawal monitoring is conducted around the clock with support staff ready to help address anything that happens during the process. Having this support system available at all times empowers clients to focus solely on the healing process knowing that they’ll be taken care of no matter what.

How Long Can I Expect Detox To Last?

As much as withdrawal symptoms can make the detox process unpleasant, it’s important to know that your average detox will only last for 7-10 days for most users. Heavy drug or alcohol use in an individual does mean that detox can take longer, lasting weeks in the most severe cases.

Once the detox is complete and the client is safe and comfortable, the addiction treatment and rehab can begin. When seeking treatment with our team, clients will have the same level of compassion and care during both detox and treatment. Don’t let addiction run your life or the life of someone you care about any longer, get a confidential consultation today.