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Understanding Medical Detox, the First Step in Recovery

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Medical detox is an important first step towards rehabilitation and recovery. The detoxification process allows your body to eliminate drugs and alcohol in a safe and supportive setting, giving you the foundation for a successful recovery journey.

Medical Detox for Substance Abuse

Alcohol and drug detoxification can be a shock to the body and it is important that detoxification happen in a safe, medically managed environment.  Dependency and addiction to drugs and alcohol can create metabolic changes in your body. As a result, when you begin to withdraw during the detoxification process, your body will undergo chemical and metabolic changes, which can be difficult to experience.  Many patients in a medical detox program experience extreme emotional states, such as feelings of depression and anxiety. Additionally, they may have dangerous changes to their heart rhythm, blood pressure, and breathing. Seizures and hallucinations are also common experiences during detoxification for individuals who use drugs and alcohol frequently or in high quantities.

Medical detox can not only make the detox process safer, but also increase the comfort of the individual during the withdrawal process. Medical detox can provide you with the support and tools you need to remain comfortable, safe, and on a path to recovery.

Residential-style Substance Abuse Treatment Programs

Although residential-style treatment is not necessary for all aspects of recovery, medical detox is most effectively provided through an inpatient residential-style treatment program. If you are addicted to narcotic medication, such as Oxycontin, Vicodin or heroin, a medical detox program will provide you with medical support to address symptoms that will occur as your body experiences withdrawal. If you are addicted to alcohol, detoxification programs provided in a residential-style treatment program can be vitally important for your safety.

See also  Short-Term and Long-Term Effects of Detox

Residential-style treatment programs also allow patients to focus on their treatment once they have completed a medical detox. After detox, individuals shift into receiving individual and group counseling from professional drug and alcohol counselors. Individuals learn to identify triggers for addictive behavior and healthier alternative choices. Additionally, many residential style treatment programs also include educational classes and family therapy as part of the rehab program.

Often, patients in recovery work with their program counselors to create a treatment plan for after they return to their everyday life. Outpatient recovery treatment can include attending recovery support groups, working with private professional counselors, and attending recovery events to develop a new social support system.

Medical detox can be an extremely important step in the recovery process if you or someone you love is seeking help for narcotic or alcohol addiction. If you or a woman you love is in need of help for alcohol or drug abuse, please call us today. We have a women’s program designed to treat the unique needs of women who suffer from substance abuse and mental health disorders. Destination Hope: The Women’s Program is a full service alcohol abuse, drug addiction, and women’s health treatment facility in Florida for women who suffer from substance abuse and co-occurring disorders.

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