A Complete Guide to Medical Detox

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A Complete Guide to Medical Detox and What to
Expect
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Introduction

• The road to recovery is riddled with hardships.
  But braving through it and coming out clean from
  the other side is as life-changing as it gets.
  The very first thing to do on the journey to
  sobriety is to stop using and letting your body
  remove all harmful substances that are in your
  system. This is more commonly referred to as
  detox.

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Table of Contents

• What is it?
• How to decide who needs it?
• How long does it last?
• What goes on during detox?
• Symptoms of withdrawal and the importance of
  detox
• Why is assisted medical detox better than doing
  it by self?
• Types of medical detox
• Dealing with the stigma
• Important steps to take after you are done with
  detox

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What is it?

• The first step to becoming sober is quitting
  alcohol or whatever drug the victim has been
  indulging in. Detox is the process where you stop
  consuming said drugs, and your body gets rid of
  the previously administered drugs. This process
  can be painful, and withdrawal symptoms can be
  tough to manage alone. Furthermore, going cold
  turkey after certain drugs can be
  life-threatening. Medical detox is a treatment
  method where medical professionals assist you
  through the withdrawal and help you manage your
  symptoms.

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How to decide who needs it?

• Medical professionals take several factors into
  account to decide if an addict requires medical
  detox and, if so, the kind that fits them best.
  But it is recommended that any addict wanting to
  quit should not stop using abruptly, as their
  body might not react well to the sudden change.
  Hence, if you are looking to quit or help a loved
  one do so, consult a doctor and get their
  professional opinion.

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How long does it last?

• There is no rigid timeline for detox. It may
  last only a few days for some and several weeks
  for others. Numerous factors influence how long a
  victim of addiction might take to cleanse their
  bodies of the substance they abused. Some of
  these factors are
• The kind of substance abused
• How often did the victim indulge in the substance
• The amount of substance used
• The addicts age and gender
• The addicts genetic makeup and family history
• The current mental and physical condition of the
  user

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What goes on during detox?

• Once you have decided to quit, the first step is
  to consult your doctor to see which kind of detox
  is the safest option. After a thorough
  examination of your current physical and mental
  health and analysis of the type and amount of
  substance you took, the doctor will suggest a
  detox plan tailored to your condition.
• The next step is the detox itself. Based on the
  plan your doctor recommended, you will either be
  kept at a treatment centre with around the clock
  care or be assisted periodically while at home.
  You will be monitored to ensure you are not in
  any danger, and you will receive medication if
  necessary.
• Once done with detox, you will be provided with
  further treatment options to ensure your
  continued sobriety.

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Symptoms of withdrawal and the importance of detox

• Some common symptoms that usually accompany
  withdrawal are
• Anxiety
• Body aches
• Shivering
• Insomnia
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Lack of focus
• Mood swings
• Depression
• Increased irritability
• Disturbed sleep patterns
• Along with these, withdrawal from certain drugs
  can also induce hallucinations, seizures, and
  thoughts of self-harm and suicidal thoughts.

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Why is assisted medical detox better than doing
it by self?

• Once your body has grown accustomed to a
  substance, suddenly going cold turkey could be
  not only permanently damaging but also
  life-threatening. With assisted medical detox,
  the danger factor is almost completely removed as
  medical professionals are involved. They can
  prescribe medicines if needed and can help you
  manage your withdrawal symptoms better.

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Types of medical detox

• Detox by drug type This kind of detox is based
  on the type of substance abused by the patient.
  Some drugs lead to physically painful
  withdrawals, while others, like heroin, have a
  more significant psychological effect. During
  medical detox, such medicines are administered
  that mimic the effect of the abused substance to
  an extent. This eases the bodys transition to
  sobriety.
• Detox based on the severity of withdrawal
  Depending on the length of time and the amount of
  substance abused, the intensity of withdrawal may
  vary. Some people have withdrawal symptoms that
  are far more manageable than others. This is why
  some patients are suggested inpatient detox with
  constant surveillance and care, while others can
  stay at home and receive treatment through
  residential detox programs.

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Dealing with the stigma

• Unfortunately, there is a tremendous amount of
  stigma attached to the concept of addiction and
  detox. People often criminalize or demonize
  addicts when they are just victims. While going
  through detox, not having the support of friends
  and family can be incredibly discouraging. If you
  have a loved one going through recovery, treat
  them with love and respect. Compassion can be
  extremely beneficial during the recovery process
  and even after that. A nurturing and
  understanding environment is necessary to avoid
  relapses.

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Important steps to take after you are done with
detox

• Detox, in itself, is not the complete recovery
  process. It is merely the first step in the right
  direction. An addict must continue their recovery
  through other follow up procedures. A doctor can
  suggest the appropriate long-term treatment plan
  for them. These recommendations may include but
  are not limited to
• Addiction counselling
• Group therapy or social therapy
• Inpatient or outpatient rehab programs
• The fear of withdrawal often holds people back
  from quitting. However, with the right kind of
  help and support, a victim of addiction can
  overcome all physical and mental barriers. With
  enough strength, will, and determination, nothing
  can prevent an addict from becoming their sober,
  healthy self again.

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