Drug Detox

All You Need to Know About Drug Detox

Drug Detox isn't the end-all solution to drug addiction treatment, but it's certainly one of the first steps. Without Drug Detox, the addicted individual may not even be able to make the decision to quit the habit. The dangerous substances s/he is taking affect his/her thinking patterns. Most drug addicts who undergo Drug Detox are in the treatment because their families or friends already intervened and made the decision for them. Still, this is a necessary step to complete addiction recovery. Counseling and other psychological treatments won't work if the patient didn't go through detoxification first.

What really goes on in Drug Detox treatments?

Drug Detox can be considered a misnomer because this medical treatment doesn't really "purge" out addictive substances from your system. Rather, detox is a safer and faster way to wean yourself from addictive drugs. In the detox process, an addict is confined in a controlled area (the rehabilitation center) where you won't be able to take in the drug you're addicted to.

To help cope with withdrawal symptoms, patients are given safer drugs that can mimic the effect of the illegal substances previously used. The dosages are controlled and lowered over time so that the body doesn't suffer from the trauma of suddenly removing the toxin in the body. This introduces the patient to a life without the substance of which they were once addicted.

Although a simple explanation, Drug Detox is far from a pleasant experience for someone who's severely addicted to any substance. Detox requires a great amount of effort from both the medical team and the patient. The detoxification process is vital in progressing with treatment. As long as the drug is still in your system, you won't be able to think logically and will not be able to proceed to the next phase of recovery.

After Drug Detox

After a successful detoxification program, both the patient and his/her family will have to go through counseling sessions. The patient's counseling sessions focuses on the triggers for the addiction, how the patient can fight these triggers off, and the strengthening of his or her will to get better. The family will also be processed by professionals and oriented about the condition of the addicted individual in their charge.

Most of the time, the families of these recovering patients are uneducated about the condition. Counseling will help remove any preconceived notions about addiction that typically make the patient look like a criminal. Once this type of thinking is altered, recovery is an easier process for both the patient and the family.

Out-Patient Support

Once the patient has been evaluated and deemed ready to go back to their environment, they will be left in the care of their families. Orienting families of patient's illness will help to ensure that they have ample out-patient support once he or she is released into their care. The goal for recovering patients is to find their way back to being independent, but the individual will need emotional family support to be able to make the steps needed to achieve their goal.

Aside from the family and peer support, patients will also undergo out-patient group counseling. Here, professional life coaches or counselors will help the patient adapt to their environment again.

Choosing a Facility

Questions to Ask When Choosing a Facility for Drug Detox

If this is your first time seeking drug detox for yourself or a loved one, it would be helpful to know which questions to ask when searching for possible programs.Recovery Now TV will guide you in making the most appropriate decision based on your individual needs.

When researching drug detox programs, consider the questions below to help guide you to making the most appropriate decision for treatment:

1. Will the facility work with your health insurance company? If you have health insurance, please click here or scroll to the bottom of the page to access the complete Insurance Guidance Information page.
2. Where is the facility located? Oftentimes facilities will urge you to travel out of your area to receive treatment. Consider the list of pros and cons below for traveling out of the area for treatment.

   Treatment out of the area-

   • PRO- Getting out of the area for drug detox will help an alcoholic or addict to focus on themselves rather than their familiar surroundings.
   • PRO- Going out of the area for drug detox creates a mindset where a client is taking a journey for their recovery.
   • PRO- If the going gets tough in treatment, a distance between the home and the treatment facility might affect a person's decision to not give up and to stay in treatment.
   • CON- Going to n drug detox program out of the area puts distance between you and your loved ones. Most treatment programs offer a family component and a long distance could make it difficult for supportive family and friends to participate in the treatment program.
   • CON- Going to n drug detox program out of the area might make it difficult to return to the home environment. If you choose to go out of the area for treatment, it is crucial to make sure that the treatment facility has a discharge planning process which includes assistance in finding outpatient and Twelve Step Support systems for when you return home.
3. What governing body is the treatment facility licensed through? All drug detox programs providing therapeutic services and treatment planning, must be licensed by a State governing body. If one of the facilities that you are considering is NOT part of the RecoveryNowTV network, then you will need to make sure that the facility is licensed through the state.
4. Is the facility accredited? If so, what is the accreditation agency governing the facility? Accreditation is a true sign of a quality and safety assurance plan for a facility. While accreditation is not mandatory for a facility, it does provide a higher level of standards for a facility to adhere to. The two major accrediting bodies are The Joint Commission (JCAHO) and Commission on Accreditation of Rehab Facilities (CARF). Both accrediting organizations ensure that the facility actively participates in rigorous quality and safety improvement protocols.
5. What does a typical day entail? Ask the drug detox facility go through the daily schedule and feel free to ask questions of each item on the schedule. This will give you an understanding of all of the services offered. This will allow you to take full advantage of the treatment protocols being offered.
6. What is the price of the treatment? Are there additional costs over and above the stated cost? Is there a daily rate? Is there an early termination policy?
7. Is there an extended care program? When searching for a drug detox, if time and your schedule permits, it is recommended one enter an extended care program or a structured sober living environment. This will ensure that the re-entry back into daily living is a safe transition. Many programs offer a step-down or sober living program which includes mandatory Twelve Step participation, curfews, and drug testing
8. Is there a program in place for relapse? It is important to know if the drug detox program will support you during a relapse. Many programs have relapse prevention or a refresher course in case of a relapse. Although many people do not want to consider readmitting to a treatment facility, it is important to know that your treatment program will support you if you have a relapse.