It’s not uncommon to be nervous about starting detox. After all, if you haven’t completed a detox program before, you probably don’t know what to expect. More importantly, if you’ve ever tried detoxing on your own or going “cold turkey”, you likely anticipate a very physically and emotionally challenging process. Fortunately, this isn’t how medically supervised detox is. These programs aren’t about simply toughing it out. Instead, you’ll have the benefit of constant monitoring and customized care and support.
In professional detox, abstaining from your drug of choice can be a comfortable, relatively easy, and all-around safe experience. In professional detox, your care starts the very minute you walk through the door. You’ll check in with a triage nurse who will assess your vital signs, process your insurance or other payment information, and start your medical and mental health evaluations. These early assessments will inform your treatment plan by giving onsite staff insight into your general well-being and your unique range of needs needs. You’ll be asked about your current pain levels too. If necessary, medical interventions can be made right away. The goal of supervised detox is to limit strain on the body, minimize any emotional or mental anguish that patients feel, and make the transition to sobriety as seamless it can possibly be.
What to Expect After You Check In
If you’re up for it, you’ll be taken on a brief tour of the facility. You’ll get to know members of the staff, and you’ll have the chance to explore recreation rooms, dining areas, and other important, communal spaces. Then, you’ll be taken to your room. This is likely where you’ll spend the majority of your waking hours over the next several days. Although you can certainly get out and walk around the rehab center, you won’t be pressured to. Instead, you’ll be encouraged to place your full focus on making it through this first and most challenging phase of addiction recovery. As your detox progresses, you’ll receive regular visits from nurses and onsite doctors.
In addition to monitoring your vital signs and pain levels, these professionals will ask about your emotions, your appetite, and your sleep quality. They can leverage strategies for alleviating anxiety, depression, insomnia, confusion, and more. They’ll keep you involved in important health decisions every step of the way. In detox, there is always a concerted effort to minimize or avoid habit-forming medications. However, there are many safe and sustainable withdrawal medications that can be used to minimize your symptoms and gently ease your body away from substance abuse. There are also:
- Anti-depressant medications
- Anti-psychotic medications
- Anti-anxiety medications
- Mood-stabilizing drugs
These medications offer a safe and sustainable way to manage many common, co-occurring mental health issues without setting the stage for all-new addictions. Physical detox can last just several days or it may last for several weeks. Factors such as your age, gender, drug of choice, and addiction history will all play roles in determining how quickly you rebound in detox. As soon as you’re able, you can start taking part in other onsite addiction treatment activities. Many detox centers offer inpatient rehab programs that last one to three months.
These allows patients to move from around-the-clock detox support into in-depth addiction treatment without experiencing any gaps or breaks in their care. In most programs like these, there are group counseling sessions, private counseling sessions, and multiple options in cognitive behavioral therapy. There are also many other therapy types. Patients can take part in stress management workshops, complete skill-building and life-planning exercises, or meet with their case managers to devise their relapse prevention plans and identify post-treatment support. Onsite addiction treatment services can also be helpful for patients who plan on entering outpatient rehabs when their detox is done.
These services give people a better idea of what to expect when exiting treatment, and they offer an early introduction to important relapse prevention techniques. Even before your withdrawal is done, you can begin learning more about the nature of addiction, building your self-esteem, and developing healthy coping skills. The constant monitoring that professional detox services provide allows staff members to regularly refine treatment plans to suit the most current needs of each individual. Thus, if new changes arise or if old symptoms abate, your detox medications and other support services can be adjusted accordingly. If you want to know more about going to detox or if you want help finding a detox program near you, call 833-497-3812 today.