About three-fourths of all people struggling with addiction eventually recover. This may sound hard to believe if you’re in the thick of your addiction right now, but there is a light at the end of the tunnel. You can heal.
It’s not easy, however. Addiction recovery can be stressful, painful, and overwhelming. This is especially true during the early detox stages. This is where many people give up on recovery.
Medically assisted detox programs can help. They can kickstart the addiction recovery process and set patients up for success.
But what can you expect from those programs? Let’s talk about it. Read on to learn more.
Table of Contents
First and Foremost: What Is Medically Assisted Detox?
Medically assisted detox is a process that helps people who are struggling with drug or alcohol addiction. It allows them to safely manage the withdrawal symptoms that occur when they stop using their substances of choice. For many people, it’s an essential part of addiction recovery.
Withdrawal symptoms can be challenging and uncomfortable. For many people, the symptoms of withdrawal are too overwhelming or scary to stand up against. The fear of those symptoms keeps people stuck in their addictions.
In a detox program, medical professionals are there to assist and support the person through this phase.
Note that there are multiple addiction detox stages. These stages look different for everyone. Some substances have longer and more dangerous detox stages than others.
At a luxury detox center, you’ll have a team of medical and mental health professionals there to guide you. Even if your detox gets dangerous, someone will be there to keep you safe.
Now let’s talk about a few specific things that you can expect from a medically assisted detox program. All programs are different, but here’s a quick overview.
Evaluation and Assessment
When a person enters a detox program, they will first be evaluated by medical staff. This evaluation helps the staff understand the person’s specific addiction, medical history, and overall health. By learning more about the individual, the medical team can create a personalized plan to meet their needs.
Don’t worry about judgment during the assessment. Patients should be honest with the medical staff. This will allow them to create a better treatment plan and ensure the patient’s safety.
Don’t omit any information, even if you worry it may be incriminating. The team isn’t there to judge or arrest you for using substances. They’re there to help. The team should display incredible levels of empathy.
Supervision and Monitoring
During the detox process, medical professionals will monitor each patient closely. This monitoring is essential to ensure their safety and well-being.
The medical staff will regularly check their vital signs, such as heart rate, blood pressure, and temperature, to make sure they are stable throughout the detox process.
If anything is amiss, there will be doctors available to further evaluate the patient.
Some people who are early in the detox process find the supervision and monitoring overbearing. While it can be restrictive, that’s by design. The restrictive nature of the detox program makes it safer and more effective for patients.
Medications to Ease Withdrawal Symptoms
In some cases, medications may be helpful when it comes to managing withdrawal symptoms and making the detox process more comfortable. These medications can reduce cravings and alleviate physical discomfort. This makes it easier for the patient to stay committed to their recovery.
In most cases, medication isn’t mandatory. If a patient doesn’t want to take medication, they may be able to opt-out. Some people prefer a more “natural” option.
However, it’s important to note that there’s nothing wrong with using medication to ease withdrawal symptoms. If it helps a patient break their addiction, it’s a good thing. There’s no shame in it.
Many people worry that they’ll become addicted to the medications used for detox, but under the supervision of a team of professionals, this doesn’t have to be a significant concern. If you’re worried about this, consult with one of the doctors on your team to discuss your options.
Emotional Support and Counseling
Detox programs don’t just focus on the physical aspects of withdrawal. Emotional support and counseling are crucial components of the process. They’re generally more important than the medication.
Trained counselors and therapists are available to talk with individuals about their feelings, fears, and challenges. They offer encouragement and help individuals develop coping skills for dealing with stress and triggers.
Often, people who struggle with alcohol or drug addiction also have underlying traumas or mental health issues. Simply treating the addiction won’t be enough.
Counseling and therapy can help patients start to address the root of the problem rather than just the symptom (in this case, addiction is a symptom).
Peer Support and Group Therapy
In many detox programs, individuals have the opportunity to participate in group therapy sessions. These sessions provide a safe space to share experiences, learn from others, and build a support network. Being around people who are going through similar challenges can be comforting and inspiring.
Peer support is so important when it comes to addiction recovery. Even if you have the support of your friends and family members, if they don’t understand what you’re going through, the experience can still feel isolating.
When your support network is full of other people going through addiction treatment, you know that you have at least one shared experience in common. You don’t have to worry about judgment and people are able to empathize.
Education About Addiction and Recovery
Detox programs also provide education about addiction and the recovery process. Understanding the nature of addiction can help individuals make informed decisions and recognize the importance of ongoing treatment after detox.
Many people never received proper education about addiction awareness and prevention. This is a helpful resource for those people who may not understand how they found themselves in this position in the first place.
Referral to Further Treatment
Detox is just the first step in the long journey to recovery. Recovery, for many people, is a life-long process. That’s okay!
After completing the detox program, the staff can refer patients to further treatment, such as inpatient or outpatient rehabilitation. Continuing treatment is important to address the underlying causes of addiction and develop the skills needed to maintain sobriety.
You can continue healing on your own, but it’s far more difficult. Even if you choose not to pursue further conventional treatment, the detox center may be able to connect you with support groups or 12-step programs.
Take advantage of those resources. You owe it to yourself to do so.
Length of Stay
The length of stay in a detox program varies depending on the individual’s needs and the substances they were using. Some detox programs may last a few days, while others can extend to a couple of weeks.
Stay as long as you feel you need to. The team will likely come up with a treatment plan, but if you know you’re not ready to leave when treatment is officially over, discuss this with the staff.
They may keep you for further observation or connect you with a local inpatient facility or intensive outpatient facility. This way you can continue receiving care in a structured environment.
Confidentiality and Privacy
Some people worry that they’ll be “exposing themselves” by going through treatment. Note that there’s no need to feel ashamed. Going through addiction treatment is a big step, and it’s one that you should feel proud of.
However, this also shouldn’t be a concern. Your secret, if you choose to keep it a secret, is safe at the detox center.
Medical professionals in detox programs follow strict confidentiality guidelines. They respect the privacy of individuals seeking help for their addiction and ensure that personal information remains confidential.
They won’t share information with family members, employers, or anyone else. It would be unethical and illegal to do so.
It’s important to remember that seeking help for addiction takes courage, and entering a medically assisted detox program is a positive step towards a healthier and happier life.
Is Medically Assisted Detox Right for You?
If you’ve been struggling with drug or alcohol addiction, it’s time for you to reach out and find the help you need to recover. If detox is a large hurdle for you, medically assisted detox may be the right answer.
You’ll have a whole team of professionals ready to help you start your recovery journey. They’ll help you keep your withdrawal symptoms under control so you can begin to heal.
Reach out to a local detox center so you can start taking your life back.
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