What Is the Process of a Drug Detox at Restoration Recovery?
One of the most important components of recovery is that it begins at the right place. For many people, this right place starts with a drug detox. An effective drug detox can start the recovery process off on the right foot and help to avoid a relapse down the road, and avoiding release equates to a healthy long-term recovery.
What Exactly Is a Drug Detox?
A drug detox is the process of removing the toxins in the body associated with substances (including alcohol). According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), “Detoxification is a set of interventions aimed at managing acute intoxication and withdrawal. It denotes a clearing of toxins from the body of the patient who is acutely intoxicated and/or dependent on substances of abuse. Detoxification seeks to minimize the physical harm caused by the abuse of substances.”
It is important to understand that there is a difference between simply stopping the use of substances and a detox process. Stopping substances on one’s own can actually be very dangerous. In fact, in some instances, detoxing from substances on one’s own can even be fatal (this is especially true with alcohol detox). An effective drug detox looks much different, starting with the fact that it is administered and monitored by medical professionals and addiction specialists.
What Does an Effective Drug Detox Look Like?
An effective drug detox is going to include a plan going in, a plan that can be amended as needed during the process, and a plan that is going to continue after the detox process has concluded. The first component is determining where the individual is at when they enter detox.
Many people who enter drug detox are unaware of how depleted of essential nutrients they actually are. Take alcoholism-related vitamin depletion for example. According to the article Mechanisms of Vitamin Deficiencies in Alcoholism, “Chronic alcoholic patients are frequently deficient in one or more vitamins. The deficiencies commonly involve folate, vitamin B6, thiamine, and vitamin A. Although inadequate dietary intake is a major cause of vitamin deficiency, other possible mechanisms may also be involved. Alcoholism can affect the absorption, storage, metabolism, and activation of many of these vitamins.”
Similar deficiencies exist in those who need detox from other types of substances such as methamphetamines and opioids. This is another reason that exemplifies the importance of having medical supervision when it comes to a successful drug detox.
An Effective Drug Detox for the Next Steps of Recovery
Part of an effective drug detox is having an effective plan post-detox. This can help individuals avoid the trap of relapse (or chronic relapse), which is much more common than many people may think.
According to the clinical write-up Addiction Relapse Prevention, “One primary concern in addiction treatment is the high rate of relapses within a short period after even the most intensive treatment. Many studies have shown relapse rates of approximately 50% within the first 12 weeks after completion of intensive inpatient programs that often last 4 to 12 weeks or more and can cost tens of thousands of dollars.” This is why having the next steps mapped out after a detox can be so crucial.
Generally, the next stage after a drug detox is going to either be a residential stay at a recovery center or a partial hospitalization program (PHP). These two types of recovery programs are the most common because they allow for more attention and close monitoring. However, it is not out of the norm that people shift from drug detox into intensive outpatient programs (IOPs). The key is to find a recovery program that works best for one’s individual needs and then stick with it.
The Importance of Comprehensive Addiction Care at Restoration Recovery
Here at Restoration Recovery, we have a focus on individualized and comprehensive addiction and mental health care. We believe that it is critical to get to the underlying root/core causes of one’s issues. Addiction is ultimately not a surface or substance issue, rather it is what lies under the surface that causes us to have negative behaviors or want to use those substances as coping mechanisms.
The iconic American author and philosopher Willaim James once wrote, “It is our attitude at the beginning of a difficult task which, more than anything else, will affect its successful outcome.” That statement is emblematic of the importance of starting the recovery process with an effective and efficient drug detox.
Our mission at Restoration Recovery is to help you find a new vision for yourself. One the shroud of addiction made impossible. There is hope for recovery for anyone who wants it. The key is to reach out for help. We’ll be here for you when you do. Always.
While quitting “cold turkey” may work for some people, it can be very dangerous. Abruptly stopping using substances can present life-threatening complications. This is especially true when it comes to alcohol use disorder (AUD). Here at Restoration Recovery, we have a comprehensive detox process to help our clients reach sobriety. This includes our 24/7 medical monitoring and medication management options. Detox can be daunting, but being among professionals ensures that it will be a safe and effective process. Our effective detox also helps our clients prepare for the next important steps of the recovery process. For more information on safe and effective detoxes, please reach out to Restoration Recovery today at (888) 290-0925.
