An Introduction to Detox Rehab
Many people suffer from addictions to drugs and alcohol. Those afflicted with a drug or alcohol addiction often need detox rehab and the professional help it provides. Detoxification is an essential and necessary step in the recovery process. This involves clearing the body of any residual drugs and toxins. It is an difficult phase of treatment and a detox rehab program is often needed. Detox rehab programs will provide individuals with the support that they need to get through this initial phase of treatment.
The Importance of Detox Rehab
The detoxification process can be a painful one. The patient may experience vomiting, tremors, hallucinations, or seizures. These withdrawal symptoms may be physical or psychological in nature. Detoxification should not be attempted without medical supervision. This makes detox rehab a vital first step for many who are seeking treatment for addiction.
Choosing the Right Detox Rehab Program
It is important that a patient choose the right detox rehab program. A program of this type must:
- provide a safe, controlled setting for the patient to detox.
- provide appropriate medical care to ensure the patient’s safety during the detoxification.
- provide counseling and support to the individual after the detoxification has been completed. If a particular program does not provide counseling, referrals can be made.
It is important that these programs treat their patients with respect and follow all ethical guidelines and confidentiality laws.
Detox Rehab Procedures
Detox rehab programs vary widely in the types of treatments that they provide. Some programs may offer rapid detoxification while some take a more long-term approach. Rapid detoxification involves placing the patient under anesthesia while a doctor purges the drugs or alcohol from the patient’s system. This is actually accomplished by introducing other drugs into the patient’s body and the withdrawal is immediate. This type of detox rehab is generally used with those who are addicted to methadone, codeine, heroin, or oxycontin. The anesthesia prevents the patient from suffering from the painful physical symptoms of withdrawal and reduces the detoxification time from days to hours. Although the detoxification effects are immediate, the psychological addiction will remain. It is essential for detox rehab programs to provide drug and alcohol counseling to a patient before discharge. After discharge, follow-up support is required to help the patient overcome the addiction in the long term. Follow-up support can include Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, individual drug and alcohol therapy, or group therapy.
