Substance Addiction

Struggling with substance addiction or watching a loved one going through the struggle can be one of the most unpleasant of experiences. Such an addiction often takes a toll on the health of the individual and tends to strain their personal relationships. Indeed most people that struggle with substance addiction usually drop out of school or lose their jobs.

However, it is important to realize that there is an effective solution to this problem. Seeking help from a reputable rehab in Dana Point, Orange County can be key to resolving this problem. Once you reach out to such an institution, you or your loved one will be taken through a series of tests and enrolled under a specific treatment program.

The first thing that happens during treatment is a process called detox or detoxification. Getting a deeper understanding about this process can be key to appreciating why it is one of the most important steps to recovery.

Substance detox refers to a process of purging the body of drugs or alcoholic content that is causing an addiction. This process is often quite unpleasant which is why it should be carried out under the supervision of qualified personnel. More on that later. For now here are some of the types of detox processes available for patients.

The detox process can last for any period of time with the most typical being between three to seven days. However, the exact amount of time that a substance takes to completely be eradicated from the body depends on several factors.

Some of these factors include the type of substance that an individual is addicted to. Powerful substances such as cocaine and heroin may take a longer time. The period of time through which an individual has been using substances can also determine how long they last under the detox process.

This process refers to getting rid of the drug content in the body. Some of the drugs that may require this process include heroin, cocaine, morphine and prescription medication. It is worth pointing out that drug detox is often quite intensive and may cause a lot of unpleasant effects.

That is why it is critical for it to be done within a rehabilitation facility. That allows specialists to monitor the progress of the patient and come up with personalized solutions to any problems that may arise.

As the name suggests, this is a process aimed at ridding the body of alcoholic content. In comparison, it is not as intense as drug detox. That is because alcohol is relatively less powerful when compared to most addictive drugs. The duration of time taken to rid the body of alcohol is also fairly shorter than that of drugs.

Additionally, a patient that is undergoing alcohol detox may not really develop too many unpleasant withdrawal effects. That does not mean they are not going to experience the common problems such as headaches, abdominal pain, muscle cramps and hallucinations.

While anyone can attempt detox at home it is not recommended. In fact it is better for you to seek detox care at a professional facility rather than trying to do it by yourself or with the help for your family. Below are some of the reasons why you should always prefer professional detox.

While you may think that detox is the best way to recover, the truth is that attempting it on your own can actually be dangerous. In certain instances, the rapid reduction of a substance from the body can actually lead to some unpredictable symptoms

Some individuals may develop hallucinations that can easily lead to physical harm to themselves or to others. Additionally, seizures associated with tremens can lead to death. Medical supervision during this process ensures the patient is safe at all times.

As the amount of alcohol or drugs lowers in the system, the individual may end up experiencing excruciating pain. Some of the effects of withdrawal include headaches, muscle cramps and abdominal pain. These symptoms can cause extreme discomfort.

However, when getting treatment under a professional facility, the patient is likely to receive certain painkillers meant to manage their situation. They also get to rest under a controlled environment where the temperature is just right. That helps manage issues such as profuse sweating or chills.

Because you do not really have the skills and experience to handle detox, chances of success are relatively low. While the first few hours or detox may seem like a walk in the park, the latter hours can be extremely uncomfortable. It is during such hours that a patient is likely to relapse.

As the substance reduces within the system, the patient is likely to go through the symptoms mentioned above. They are also likely to develop strong cravings that will almost always overpower their will to remain sober.

In a controlled environment, the patient is basically under 24-hour supervision and will be assisted to get through even the toughest of hours.

Once an individual tries to detox on their own and fail, it is often difficult to get them to attempt the process again. This means if you subject yourself or a loved one to a detox process and fail, you may never agree to it again.

Whenever the issue of detox will be raised again, you or your loved one will simply remember the previous experience and shun the topic altogether.

Once you are admitted to a couples rehab program, the first thing that will take place is detoxification. Here are some of the things that take place during this process.

At this point, doctors and other medical specialists are likely to run a variety of tests and examinations. Lab tests may be carried out to determine the amount of substance in the system, while oral interviews may take place to evaluate the patient's mental state. Additionally, a comprehensive review of drug, medical and psychiatric histories are recorded.

All the information collected helps specialists to come up with a personalized plan of action. It is worth pointing out that each patient's situation is unique which is why there is no defined plan of action for everyone but rather every treatment plan is developed depending on the results of this evaluation.

Keep in mind that at this point any further use of drugs or alcohol is stopped. The patient is therefore not going to have access to any of the substances that have caused addiction. That is unless the doctor deems it wise to reduce intake instead of stopping usage altogether.

It is during this stage that a lot of things are likely to transpire. Most people start experiencing withdrawal symptoms at this stage. Some of these symptoms include chills, nausea, depression, extreme cravings, muscle pain, headaches, and even seizures.

Because of such symptoms, specialists are likely to administer relevant medication to help the patient deal with the symptoms. There are also other services that may be provided including making the patient feel comfortable while lying down on the bed. The air conditioning system is also checked to ensure the patient is under comfortable conditions.

The main aim of stabilization is to make the patient as comfortable as possible and prevent any unpleasant outcomes that may otherwise compromise treatment.

The final stage of detox involves preparing the patient for what is to come.

At this point, specialists talk to the patient to let them know what type of treatment they will receive from the rehabilitation center. They are informed about different schedules and the expected outcomes.

The patient is also allowed to ask any questions or raise any concerns they may have. That allows the professionals to respond and put the patient's mind at ease.

Individuals that are struggling with addiction can receive detox treatment under two main settings. These are inpatient and outpatient care.

Some rehabilitation facilities run programs that allow patients to undergo detox without necessarily requiring them to reside at the facility. This type of treatment is often offered to individuals with mild cases of addiction or those who are going through the initial stages of addiction.

The downside to this type of care is that the patient does not really have anyone to monitor their progress. THis means that the success of the treatment depends on the level of commitment by the patient. It also puts the patient at risk because certain withdrawal effects may pose a threat to their life.

Inpatient detox takes place inside the rehabilitation center. Under this program, a patient is required to move from their residence to the facility. They are likely to reside at the facility for more than a week. Typical programs require patients to stay for at least 30 days.

Inpatient detox programs have a higher rate of success when compared to outpatient detox. This is because the patient is under constant supervision. And whenever unpleasant side effects develop, doctors respond in a timely manner.

It is also safer to detox under this settings because the patient is close to emergency services. Another factor that increases the chances of success is that the patient is taken away from a potentially toxic environment. Additionally, they do not get to interact with bad influences and do not have a free hand in choosing what to eat or drink.