January 11, 2011 – 7:26 pm
Before any individual can pursue true drug rehabilitation for their addiction, they must first undergo drug detox. Drug detox (or “detoxification”) helps individuals cleanse their systems of toxins found in the drugs they have been ingesting. By completing detox, the individual is stabilizing their health and reducing their chance of immediate relapse. As a result, the individual will have a much greater chance at achieving recovery success at a drug rehab program.
How Long does Drug Detox take to Complete?
The length of a drug detox programs varies based on the length and intensity of the individual’s drug addiction – as well as their personal makeup and physiology. Generally speaking however, the average drug detox programs take approximately several days to two weeks to complete.
What are the Most Common Drug Detox Withdrawal Symptoms?
The types of withdrawal symptoms that an individual going through drug detox can expect to experience can vary greatly depending upon the substance in question and the seriousness of that person’s addiction. There are, however, several hallmark withdrawal symptoms which impact the majority of those going through detox.
• Depression, anxiety and other mental health issues.
• Sleeplessness. Especially in the case of opiate withdrawal, individuals may find it difficult to sleep, often taking on the symptoms of insomnia.
• Cravings. Individuals who are going through detox may experience strong drug cravings that often lead to relapse
• Irritability. Watch for sudden mood swings and highly irritable behavior.
• Seizures. In rare cases, individuals who experience strong withdrawal symptoms may experience seizures as their bodies adjust to the lack of drugs in their system. This generally occurs in severe heroin addiction cases (as well as long term alcoholism).
The withdrawal symptoms above generally have onset of 2-3 days into the drug detox process. They can last for several days depending upon the individual.
Where can Drug Detox Programs be Found?
There are two primary ways an individual can undergo a detox program. First, they can take part in a program that takes place within the walls of the drug rehab center. These are fairly common, as they offer addiction treatment professionals a chance to see their patients through from the beginning of their journey to the end.
In some cases however, the drug treatment center may require detox be completed before the program can begin, but the rehab facility itself does not offer detox in-house. In this case, the treatment center will likely recommend a detox program in the area. Once the individual has completed the program to the satisfaction of the drug rehab admissions staff they will be allowed to enter the program and begin counseling.
Medical Detox vs. Natural Detox
Many people choose natural detox as a means of cleansing their body of harmful drug toxins. This is an efficient way to go about the process – in which the individual goes “cold turkey” while under the care and supervision of the detox team. The problem with natural detox is that many people experience serious withdrawal symptoms during the process. A large percentage of these individuals still manage to make it through detox with flying colors, but many will relapse into drug use and end up back at “square one” in terms of their recovery.
As an alternative to natural detox, individuals who are addicted to opiates such as heroin, Vicodin or OxyContin may engage in medical detox (or “chemical detox” as it is also known). With medical detox the individual takes carefully monitored doses of a synthetic opiate such as methadone in order to slowly lessen their dependence on the drug. Methadone mirrors many of the effects of the opiate, most commonly heroin, but because the dosage in monitored by a medical professional, the risk of overdose is greatly diminished.
For those who are fearful of withdrawal symptoms, methadone rehab is the best choice. Because the effect is gradual over time, the discomfort is much less pronounced throughout the process.
Although it only strikes a small percentage of those who undergo the process, medical detox can lead to methadone addiction. This presents a number of challenges for the individual who must now cope with multiple addictions at the same time.
January 11, 2011 – 7:25 pm
Alcohol detox is the process of helping an individual end their dependence on alcohol. Alcohol detox is overseen by medical professional and has the sole objective of getting the individual to move forward into a life without alcohol.
Alcohol Detox and Withdrawal
Alcohol detox helps the individual through alcohol withdrawal symptoms. Symptoms of alcohol withdrawal include: psychological symptoms such as “the shakes”, nervousness, general irritability, mood swings, depression and nightmares as well as physical symptoms such as sweating, vomiting nausea and loss of appetite.
One of the biggest hurdles recovering alcoholics face is withdrawal. The length, type and severity of withdrawal symptoms from giving up alcohol consumption can run the gamut from mild to intense – it all depends on the make-up of the individual and how long/how much they have been drinking. Many individuals are advised to contact a doctor or recovery professional before they give up alcohol “cold turkey” so that they may be educated about withdrawal and the symptoms associated with it.
How a person feels as they go through alcohol detox depends upon the individual. Some individuals experience intense versions of the symptoms above, while other make it through with little or no problem. It is really a matter of the physiological make up of the individual and how long they have been drinking alcohol excessively.
The Importance of Alcohol Detox
The process of alcohol detox is crucial for a couple of key reasons. First, as long as alcohol toxins remain in an individual’s body, he or she will continue to crave alcohol (which is obviously a large roadblock on the road to recovery). Second, if a person is still under the influence of alcohol, he or she will be unable to take part fully in future treatment or after-care. Alcohol detox gets an individual prepared for alcohol recovery.
Some individuals are really best served by entering an alcohol detox facility. The individuals are those who really require additional medical care while going through detox. Reasons for this include, severe withdrawal symptoms, an existing illness causes by alcohol abuse and previous failed attempts at going through alcohol detox. Although the medication that these individuals receive will be the same as though given by a general practitioner, the extra care they receive from professionals who known alcohol detox well is invaluable.
January 11, 2011 – 6:58 pm
While Prescription Pill Addiction has only been recognized as a modern drug epidemic in the last decade or so, prescription drug abuse has existed as long as doctors have been prescribing medicine. Prescription pill addiction treatment is suggested for people who show signs that they have been abusing prescription medication or have been unable to stop using on their own.
For some people Prescription Drug Abuse begins towards the end of prescribed use of a medication such as a pain killer or anti-anxiety medication. An individual may find that prescription drugs make the daily struggles of life just a little easier. When their chronic pain subsides, they may find they are unable to give up the drugs that were helping them through a hard time, due to pill addiction. Certain groups of people may also be more prone to prescription pill addiction, such as athletes, older individuals, and medical professionals. The ease with which these prescription drugs can be acquired can be a great burden in the early stages of recovery from Prescription Pill Addiction.
There are a variety of different pharmaceutical drugs to which people can develop a prescription pill addiction, including Opiates, Benzodiazepines and painkillers. People who have real pain often find themselves drawn into the destructive cycle of Prescription Pill Addiction without even knowing it. An increased tolerance to prescription pills is one of the side effects of these medications, and can lead to individuals wanting more drugs in order to deal with the pain. When the pain diminishes, it is difficult to let go of the attachment to pills, and the individual may need drug rehab in order to deal with the problem. While pill addiction is not easy to get over, there are some very helpful rehabilitation programs that can help someone kick the habit for once and for all.
January 10, 2011 – 5:46 pm
Alcohol addiction treatment can be a critical step in the recovery process, but how can you choose which facility is the best choice for your specific treatment needs? More than 10% of the population will suffer from alcohol addiction at any given time, and this addiction can be devastating to your personal and professional life. Individuals who hold professional positions and executive level jobs have substance abuse rates that are around 12%-15%, and in some professions this can be a low estimate. Alcohol addiction treatment that is designed to help successful business owners, executives, doctors, lawyers, and others who have high stress and high level jobs will offer the best chance of success, and there are some things you should consider when evaluating any facility.
One consideration for any alcohol addiction treatment is the facility itself. You want a center that is spacious and luxurious, not cramped or run down, and this benefit is worth the extra cost involved. You will also need to look at and evaluate the physical fitness options available, because high end alcohol addiction treatment centers like Valiant Recovery offer a wide range of choices in this area. Saunas, whirlpools, swimming pools, a fully equipped gym, and other physical activities are available for use. This physical exertion will help speed up the recovery process, and minimize the symptoms of the addiction during recovery.
The treatment options offered at Valiant Recovery are much more successful than many alcohol addiction treatment centers that are not designed for business professionals, because of the intensive therapy and one on one counseling offered. Many centers may hold group therapy sessions in place of individual counseling, to save time and money, but this is not an issue with a luxury alcohol addiction treatment center like Valiant Recovery. Treatment costs are higher so that more staff is available at all times, giving you the personal attention and counseling needed for the best recovery possible.
The setting and food are also important with any alcohol addiction treatment. You should be comfortable in the surroundings, with a peaceful atmosphere that is conducive to recovery instead of a stressful atmosphere where you are rushed or ignored. The foods available should be both delicious and nutritious, and with alcohol addiction treatment at Valiant Recovery Center you will find gourmet meals and a dining environment to rival almost any fine restaurant. Your choice of an alcohol addiction treatment center can mean the difference between success and failure at conquering your addiction.
