Everything You Should know About Alcohol/Drug Detox
Withdrawal symptoms are an inevitable part of your plan to stop drinking daily and heavily, and even more so when you are trying to quit drugs. It is a distinctive clinical syndrome with potentially serious consequences (American Psychiatric Association 1994). Some of the most common symptoms include tremor, insomnia, anxiety, restlessness, and nausea, low-grade fever, rapid breathing, and profuse sweating. More serious symptoms comprise Seizures, hallucinations, mental confusion, and disorientation. The exact duration of withdrawal is influenced by which particular substance someone used as well as the extent of their addiction. It may take days, weeks, and – in some cases – months to reach complete resolution of all withdrawal symptoms, depending on various factors and individual differences. Therefore, it is a good idea to connect to a reputable drug rehabilitation center in India and take professional help in cases like these.
What is an Alcohol/Drug Detox?
The alcohol/drug detox stage is the first step in treating addiction. During this period, addictive substances are completely flushed from your body. Withdrawal symptoms hit at least after 6 hours of going without booze or drugs and typically begin to subside within around one to two weeks after starting the detox. However, the overall progress of recovery depends on the severity of AUD. Other aspects in a drug or alcohol rehab center, such as counseling sessions and support options, also play a role in the timeline of detox.
Alcohol Detox and Its Stages
A detox program includes the following:
Check-up before Intake
The medical and counseling team at the rehab check the patient’s vital parameters by conducting a few blood and other tests, assessing the medical history as well as alcohol/drug consumption pattern, and what kind of support they will need.
Detox support
Once the treatment begins, the doctors and nurses provide detox patients with required medicines and care, according to the most affecting symptoms and other issues that may come up. For example, benzodiazepines and other suitable medications are given to help them cope with anxiety and prevent seizures. You may have your blood pressure, heart rate, temperature, and breathing checked regularly during this process. The team also ensures that all patients take healthy food and stay hydrated.
Psychosocial support
Besides primary care, psychosocial support is provided to patients so that they do not feel isolated and alone, and learn to break their addiction. The therapists and counselors talk to patients and help them manage their triggers and emotions as they progress through detox. Overall, patients are given a thorough diagnosis of physical or mental problems, which co-occur with their addiction. Services like the life-skill training sessions help prevent relapse and ensure mental stability along with physical wellness.
Importance of professional help for alcohol/drug detox
Some patients may experience only minor effects of drug abuse or alcoholism, while others may face extreme pain. Withdrawal symptoms, largely, are unpredictable. Sometimes, a patient who has been calm or quiet for days might suddenly react too aggressively. That is why it’s important to detox under the care of medical professionals; particularly for those patients who have severe withdrawal symptoms. Treatment professionals at a reliable rehab center in India provide 24X7 care to detox patients. This not only nudges the patient towards better recovery but also ensures that patients are well-prepared to be part of the mainstream world.
Other than this, a patient may have mild to severe withdrawal symptoms but if s(he) has a history of lung, heart, or liver-related diseases, or any autoimmune disorder, or undetected food allergies, then medications are given keeping the contraindications in mind. A trained treatment provider checks in on the patients and discusses with them the symptoms they are experiencing. Additionally, s (he) also keeps a tab on a patient’s blood pressure and heart rate to ensure stable condition. This information helps the medical team decide which medicine will work best. Therefore, professional intervention helps ensure safe and holistic treatment.
Which type of program to choose?
Inpatient and outpatient are two primary types of programs offered by drug or alcohol rehab centers. The outpatient program is suitable for patients with mild withdrawal symptoms; they can visit during the day and then go back after attending the session with the doctor or the psychotherapist. Alternatively, an inpatient program requires patients to stay at a hospital, detox clinic, or rehab center during the process, and round-the-clock personalized care is provided to them. The medical treatment should ideally offer 1-on-1 sessions with a licensed psychologist, medical assessment and case management, medical detox under expert supervision, psychiatric assessment, treatment and medication management, clinical assessment, diagnosis, and treatment planning, relapse prevention, and aftercare planning. Apart from mainline treatment, availability of the following therapies should be checked while choosing an outpatient or an inpatient program:
Family Therapy
Couples Therapy
Couples Therapy
Group Therapy
Meditation Workshops
Yoga
Nutrition Counseling
Art Therapy
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