Medical detox is a term that’s used to describe the process of withdrawing from certain drugs or medications in order to prevent or discontinue dependency. The goal of medical detox is to relieve withdrawal symptoms, mitigate any potential risks, and return people to a stable baseline of health. The word “detox” comes from the Greek root words de- and -tox, meaning “away from poison.” The drug users are poisoned by these substances and need to be withdrawn from the poisonous substance before they can recover. Medical detox can also be referred to as “drug rehabilitation.”
What is a Detox?
Detoxification is the process of ridding a body or an organism of toxins. There are many types of detoxification, such as:
– Drug detox
– Medical detox
– Nutritional detox
– Mind and body detox
– Environmental detox
– Food detox
The type of detox depends on what the person is trying to remove from their body.
How is it Different from Drug Rehabilitation?
Most people use the terms detox and drug rehabilitation interchangeably, but there are a few differences between the two. Drug rehabilitation is a process that can take place inside a substance use treatment facility. It’s a long-term recovery process that is intended for those who have been actively using drugs or alcohol for years and need help with addiction recovery.
Detox is typically done on an outpatient basis, but may also be inpatient. Detox is more focused on quick relief from withdrawal symptoms, while drug rehabilitation is primarily a preventative method of preventing future drug dependency from occurring again in the individual’s life.
How to Prepare for Detox
The most important thing to do before a medical detox is to get educated on what the process will be like and how to properly prepare for it. To prepare, you should find out about any potential side effects from the drug or medications that you are trying to withdraw from, including:
– If there are any interactions with other drugs during the detoxification process
– If there are any withdrawal symptoms that might occur
– If there is anything else that could harm your health during the detoxification process
– What kind of follow up care will be necessary after the detox
– How long the procedure will take, starting with planning ahead and stopping certain activities before starting a detox
– How many days into the detox process your body should be before getting back into certain activities
Detox Steps and Symptoms
The medical detox process typically consists of four steps:
1. Consultation
2. Detoxification
3. Rehabilitation
4. Follow-up support
Each step may take days or weeks depending on the severity of the substance use, and each step has its own set of symptoms that are experienced during withdrawals. The first step involves consultation with an addiction specialist to discuss a plan for detox that is tailored for each individual patient. The next step is detoxification, which can be done through medications, behavioral therapy, and other forms of treatment that decrease withdrawal symptoms. Finally, the last two steps involve rehabilitation and follow-up support to get people back on their feet again after they complete one of these steps successfully.
Prevention of Relapse
Preventing relapse is one of the most important goals for individuals going through medical detox. Generally, this involves talking with your therapist about how to manage triggers and stressors that can lead to relapse. There are many ways that you can prevent relapses during your detox, but there is no definite way to do so. A lot of times, people who are going through a medical detox will go through behavioral changes such as exercising more and meditating in order to stay focused on staying clean. These types of behavioral changes help reduce the chances of them slipping back into old habits.
As long as you stick to the plan set out for you by your doctor or therapist, then you should be able to avoid any potential relapses during your detox. But remember, there is no guarantee that relapse won’t happen; it just helps keep it at bay as much as possible.
Knoxville Recovery Center Can Help
Fortunately, help is available for those battling addiction. Depending on the stage of an individual’s addiction, they may require detox, an intensive treatment program, or both. Fortunately, Knoxville Recovery Center offers various services to those struggling with this addiction.
Services offered:
Detox – Our on-site detox clinic accommodates and supports clients as the body sheds all residual traces of addictive substances. Clients are under medical supervision during the detox process to ensure that they remain safe and comfortable.
Addiction Treatment – During our addiction treatment program, clients will engage in introductory therapies and exercises that work to prepare them for continued, more intensive treatment outside of our facility. The goal of our addiction treatment track is to stabilize clients so that they are treatment-ready.
Mental Health Treatment – Our mental health treatment program introduces behavioral therapies rooted in self-expression and holistic exercise. Art therapy, music therapy, and yoga are just a few forms of therapy we offer at the center. Our goal is to help the client reclaim their voice and expose them to treatment within a professional facility.
Aftercare Planning – Aftercare is designed for individuals who have benefitted from our introductory addiction services and are transitioning into a more intensive addiction treatment program. Once a client is stabilized, they will be encouraged to pursue continued addiction treatment. Our experienced case managers will then work with our clients to place them in a program that addresses their specific wants and needs.
Addiction is difficult to overcome alone. If you feel that you or a loved one is struggling with addiction and in need of detox, our specialists are on standby and ready to help. Call Knoxville Recovery Center and speak with an addiction expert today.
