If you’re struggling with drug or alcohol addiction and have decided it’s time to get help, you may be wondering how to take the first step towards recovery. Starting your journey with detox addiction treatment can make all the difference in your long-term recovery. Inpatient detox provides the comprehensive physical, mental, and emotional care and support you need in the early days of your sobriety, setting the stage for a successful recovery journey. In this blog, we’ll discuss different types of detox programs and how to know what kind of program is right for you.
What is Detox?
Detox, short for detoxification, is the first step in recovery. During detox, you’ll stop using drugs or alcohol, either gradually or all at once depending on the substance. This gives your body time to eliminate all traces of drugs or alcohol, laying the foundation for your recovery.
A detox program will help you manage the symptoms of withdrawal, whether with medication, medical care, or a combination of the two. Clearing the body of drugs and alcohol helps you become medically stable and prepares you physically and mentally for treatment.
Outpatient Detox vs. Inpatient Detox: What’s the Difference?
When choosing a detox program, you’ll find that there are two main types of programs: outpatient detox, sometimes called ambulatory detox, and inpatient detox. Understanding the benefits and risks of both can help you find the one that’s right for you. The length of your detox program will depend on several factors, including the substance you’ve been using, how much and how long you’ve been using, and your overall health.
Outpatient Detox
Outpatient detox programs are typically coordinated through a doctor’s office or treatment facility. You’ll live at home and may attend daily appointments where you’ll be given prescribed medications, be medically monitored, and drug tested if necessary. While outpatient detox can be a viable option for people with mild alcohol or substance use disorder, it’s not suitable for people who are in a more severe stage of AUD or SUD or people who are detoxing from alcohol, benzos, opioids, and other substances that are associated with dangerous and potentially fatal withdrawal symptoms. Living at home during detox also can be risky by allowing continued access to alcohol and drugs during this first phase of recovery.
Inpatient Detox
In an inpatient detox program, you’ll stay at the facility for the duration of your detox. You’ll receive 24/7 monitoring from addiction care specialists who will help manage your alcohol or drug withdrawal symptoms and make sure you’re physically stable. Medical professionals will administer medications to help ease withdrawal symptoms as your body clears the drugs and/or alcohol from your system. You’ll also receive emotional and psychological support from licensed therapists. Inpatient detox is a good option for people who are in a more severe stage of addiction, who have co-occurring mental health disorders, who have a history of withdrawal complications, and those who have relapsed after a period of sobriety.
Determining the Level of Detox Care You Need
“How long do alcohol withdrawal symptoms last?” “How long will I spend in detox?” If you’ve been asking yourself these questions, the answer is that there’s not one standard answer. Everyone’s recovery journey is different and the same is true of detox. Your length of stay and level of care needed will depend on several factors, including:
- What substance you’ve been using
- How long you’ve been using it
- How much you’ve been drinking or taking
- What stage of addiction you’re in
- Your overall physical health
- Whether or not you have co-occurring mental health issues that also need to be addressed
- Your previous history of detox, treatment, and relapse
The Dangers of Self-Detox
You may think that you can quit drinking or using on your own, but trying to detox by yourself can be very dangerous and even fatal. Several substances can cause withdrawal symptoms that are not only uncomfortable but also put your health at risk.
- Alcohol withdrawal can cause seizures, hallucinations, and a potentially fatal condition called delirium tremens.
- Withdrawing from benzodiazepines can cause seizures, panic attacks, psychosis, and the risk of rebound anxiety and insomnia.
- If you quit opioids cold turkey, you can experience serious symptoms such as pain that can’t be controlled, psychological distress, and suicide. You also increase your risk of fatal overdose in the event of a relapse as you may not be aware of your body’s decreased tolerance for opioids.
- Detoxing from other drugs can cause symptoms such as anxiety, insomnia, vomiting, chills, and fever that may not be life-threatening but are extremely uncomfortable and distressing.
If you try to detox on your own or even in an outpatient program, you may find yourself in a potentially fatal medical crisis without the support and care that you need.
The Benefits of Inpatient Detox Programs
As your body adjusts to functioning without alcohol and/or drugs, an inpatient detox program can help make sure you’re comfortable and, more importantly, safe. Licensed professional medical staff will monitor your vital signs, make sure you stay hydrated and well-nourished, and administer medically assisted therapy to help ease painful or dangerous alcohol and drug withdrawal symptoms. Withdrawal symptoms are the leading cause of relapse. This is because withdrawal symptoms can be so overwhelming that people are driven to use or drink again just to gain relief. So, it’s extremely important to make sure that alcohol and drug withdrawal symptoms are properly treated and well managed. In addition to comprehensive withdrawal treatment, an inpatient detox program can also offer immediate help in the event of a crisis or complication.
Medication-Assisted Treatment
Alcohol and some drug withdrawal symptoms can be treated with medications that can decrease the severity and length of symptoms. Medication-assisted treatment can also reduce the risk of relapse.
Alcohol withdrawal can be treated with:
- Benzodiazepines to help prevent seizures
- Naltrexone which blocks the effects of alcohol
- Gabapentin to suppress cravings and improve sleep
- Barbiturates to prevent seizures
- Disulfiram which discourages alcohol use
Opioid withdrawal symptoms can be treated with:
- Buprenorphine which blocks opioid receptors and prevents withdrawal symptoms
- Methadone to reduce cravings and dull the effects of opioids
- Clonidine to ease uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms
- Tramadol and other agents to assist with withdrawal symptoms
Detox is more than just a physical process. Withdrawing from drugs and alcohol is challenging on psychological and emotional levels. An inpatient detox program can provide both treatment from therapists and counselors as well as peer support that is crucial to early recovery. During inpatient detox, you’ll begin to address the issues that drive addiction, setting the stage for long-term recovery.
An inpatient detox center will also create a transition plan that paves the way for the next phase of your recovery, whether that’s inpatient treatment or an intensive outpatient program.
Who Should Consider Inpatient Detox?
Inpatient detox can benefit anyone struggling with alcohol or substance use disorder. But inpatient detox is a better choice if you:
- Are a long-term or heavy user, especially of alcohol, benzodiazepines, and opioids
- Have a co-occurring mental or physical health issues
- Have a history of seizures or delirium tremens
- Have tried to quit drinking or using before and couldn’t
- Are intensely afraid of the thought of not drinking or using
- Are in a severe stage of addiction
What to Expect from an Inpatient Detox Program
Each program is different, but in general, this is what you can expect once you decide to enter an inpatient detox program.
- A clinical assessment
When you arrive, your care team will assess your stage of addiction, your overall health, and any co-occurring conditions to create a detox plan tailored to your unique needs and circumstances.
- Transition to a safe, controlled environment
Inpatient detox provides an environment that is free from drugs, alcohol, and potential triggers.
- Medical supervision and care
As your body begins to clear drugs or alcohol from your system, you’ll begin to experience withdrawal symptoms. The doctors, nurses, and addiction specialists on your care team will monitor and manage these symptoms 24/7, administering medication when appropriate and maintaining your overall level of health.
- Therapy and counseling
Removing drugs or alcohol from your system often causes mental and emotional distress. Inpatient detox includes individual therapy and counseling to help address the underlying causes of addiction.
- Post-detox transition
Your care team will discuss treatment options with you and put together a plan that helps you adjust to the course of treatment that’s right for you.
- Aftercare
Detox is just the first step towards recovery. An inpatient detox program will provide support, counseling, and care even after you’ve completed detox.
Deciding to seek help for a drug or alcohol addiction is one of the most important and meaningful things you can do for yourself. Detox is a crucial first step towards recovery that lays the foundation for successful treatment and long-term sobriety. At Detox West Tennessee, our compassionate and experienced team is here to make sure you’re safe, secure, and comfortable during the detox process. We’re with you every step of the way during detox and beyond. Start your new life today by learning more about our detox programs. Call us anytime at 901-657-5181 or view our insurance coverages. We’re here to help.