What Can I Expect in a Detox Drug Rehab?

A detox drug rehab is a program where individuals who are just coming off of drugs and/or alcohol can go while detoxing and going through withdrawal. When a person is detoxing from drugs or alcohol, even medical drugs, they will experience certain physical and psychological symptoms as these substances leave their body. This is typically a very unpleasant experience, and people can experience symptoms varying from mild to severe physical maladies to depression, anxiety, sleeplessness, and fatigue. These symptoms are brought on because the individuals body needs time to readjust to normal function without the poisons and chemicals that it has become accustomed to. This can take some time, and the individual will also very often have intense cravings for their drug of choice or for alcohol. All of these things which occur when someone is detoxing make the detox process a very crucial time in the recovery process, where things may be touch and go at first. If not in a treatment facility, many will relapse. So a detox drug rehab helps individuals through this process by making it as safe and manageable as possible, and offering additional support and counseling so they can overcome it.

A detox drug rehab which offers a standard detox will take precautions to ensure the individual is not going to suffer any severe consequences as a result of detox. Detox professionals will make a thorough assessment of the individuals substance abuse history to determine if anything other than proper rest, nutrition and supplements are needed while the individual is in detox. For example, alcohol can cause potentially life threatening side effects, such as seizures, when someone who is highly dependent to alcohol is detoxing. These circumstances may require certain medications during the detox process to ensure these circumstances are avoided, so that detox is safe. This is a prime example of why no one should attempt to quit cold turkey on their own, because it could result in serious consequences.

Detox can be done without the use of drugs in most cases however, under normal circumstances. There are some detox drug rehabs which choose to use drugs anyhow, to help individuals alleviate withdrawal symptoms completely. This is often used for opiate dependent individuals, who are addicted to heroin or prescription pain killers. The drugs used however are known to cause dependence themselves, and individuals often find that they need to be on these drugs longer than they had originally planned. For example, after detox drug rehab many opiate dependent clients choose to take part in long term opiate maintenance therapy programs where they will have to dose on these meds every day. This can cost about $10,000 per year. For someone who wants to kick their habit for good, it is wise to endure the acute symptoms of withdrawal and detox through a standard detox without the use of other drugs. This way, once detox is done there will be no need to maintain any other habit which can time consuming and costly.