Detox Treatment for Drug and Alcohol Addiction
What is Alcohol and Drug Detox?
Detox refers to the process of metabolizing drugs and alcohol in a person’s system to neutralize their toxic effects while the substances are removed and cleansed from the body. Detox consists of managing withdrawal symptoms safely to make the process as stress and pain-free as possible. Detox helps individuals that have become physically and psychologically dependent on a substance to maintain physical comfort as they safely withdraw from the effects of drugs and alcohol. It is important for detox to be medically supervised at a detox addiction treatment center or in a drug detoxification program, where doctors are able to provide 24/7 supervision and prescribe a tapering protocol to help ease off the substances.
What Is Detox Like?
Embarking on a path towards recovery at Flagler Health & Wellness in West Palm Beach, Florida, starts with a phase of detoxification, commonly known as detox. Here’s what you can expect from this crucial first step.
- Medical Supervision: At Flagler Health & Wellness, detox is carried out under the supervision of healthcare professionals who monitor your physical and psychological health around the clock. This supervision ensures the safety and comfort of patients as they navigate withdrawal symptoms, which can range from mild discomfort to severe physical reactions.
- Evaluation and Personalized Planning: Upon admission, a comprehensive assessment is conducted to understand the nature and extent of your substance use. This includes evaluating your physical and mental health and considering any co-occurring conditions. Based on this assessment, a personalized detox plan is crafted to suit your unique needs.
- Managed Withdrawal Symptoms: The primary aim of detox is to manage withdrawal symptoms. Depending on the substance you’ve been using and the duration of use, withdrawal symptoms can vary. At Flagler Health & Wellness, medical professionals may use medication-assisted treatment to alleviate these symptoms and reduce cravings, ensuring your detox experience is as comfortable and safe as possible.
- Support and Counselling: During detox, you will not only receive medical care but also emotional support. Our team of therapists and counselors are available to help manage the psychological aspects of withdrawal. This might involve individual or group counseling sessions, mindfulness activities, or other therapeutic approaches.
- Transition to Further Treatment: Detox is just the first step in your recovery journey. While it helps cleanse your body of harmful substances, it doesn’t address the behavioral and emotional aspects of addiction. Therefore, once you’ve completed detox and your condition has stabilized, the team at Flagler Health & Wellness will help transition you into the next phase of treatment, which may involve inpatient or outpatient rehab, counseling, group therapy, or other suitable options.
Detox at Flagler Health & Wellness is designed to provide a safe and supportive start to your recovery journey. Remember, while detox can be challenging, it’s a necessary step towards achieving sobriety and health, and you’ll be supported every step of the way.
Withdrawal and Detox Side Effects
Regardless of whether a person is entering detox for alcohol or any number of illicit substances, safely managing withdrawal symptoms is paramount to recovery. Many times individuals continue on in their addiction even when they don’t want to because it is scary and painful to stop cold turkey. The side effects of detox from alcohol and drug addiction can vary greatly depending on the type of drug or drugs (polysubstance abuse) a person has in their system, how long they’ve been using, their overall health as well as the presence of any dual diagnosis disorders. Here are some general expectations for detox side effects.
Alcohol Withdrawal Side Effects
Alcohol withdrawal is the most dangerous for people to undergo because physically detoxing from alcohol can be fatal. It can also cause grand mal seizures, strokes, and heart attacks in some people. Because of these risks, alcohol detox should always occur in a medically supervised setting where close monitoring is possible. Other side effects of alcohol detox include hallucinations, Delirium Tremens (the DTs), anxiety, nausea, insomnia, increased body temperature, heart palpitations, abdominal pain, and more. These symptoms of withdrawal, and others, can be properly managed with medical supervision in an alcohol detox center or hospital.
Detoxing from alcohol includes a wide set of symptoms that can be dangerous to the person experiencing them. They include anxiety, headaches, nausea, seizures, irritability, sweating, loss of appetite, restlessness, aggression, nervousness, rapid heart rate, confusion, and more. In extreme cases, detoxing from alcohol can cause death. Alcohol users who have been drinking heavily for a long time should only detox under medical supervision.
Alcohol detox happens when someone who has been using alcohol regularly stops drinking suddenly. It is the process by which the body rids itself of toxins from alcohol use and can be uncomfortable or even dangerous for someone who has alcohol dependence or who drinks heavily.
What are the symptoms of detoxing from alcohol?
Opioid Withdrawal Side Effects
Opioids include opiates like morphine, heroin, and codeine, as well as synthetic opioids like oxycodone or hydrocodone. They are a class of drugs used to manage pain. Once a person has become dependent on opioids, the withdrawal will happen with cessation. Opioid detox side effects can vary greatly from person to person depending on the type of opioid used and the duration of dependence. In general, though, opioid detox side effects can be broken down into two stages:
- Early-stage opioid withdrawal side effects
Usually within 24 hours of a person’s last opioid use — and often as soon as 12 hours post-use — the following side effects appear: intense cravings for the drug, anxiety, aggression, anger, delusions, restless legs, and sweating. - Later stage opioid withdrawal side effects
After 24 hours post-use, the following side effects are common: diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, high blood pressure, racing heartbeat, blurry vision, and dilated pupils.
Comfort medication is commonly used in opioid drug detoxification and opioid addiction rehab programs as the experience after the first 24 hours can be incredibly unpleasant.
Benzodiazepine Withdrawal Side Effects
Detoxing from benzodiazepines, like alcohol detox, can be dangerous and should only be done under medical supervision. Because different benzodiazepines have different half-lives, side effect symptoms and timelines can vary, but in general benzodiazepine detox side effects include: irritability, weight loss, sour stomach, heart palpitations, tremors, anxiety, and insomnia. Benzodiazepine physical withdrawal can take months to complete, so choosing a drug detoxification program and treatment program can greatly reduce discomfort and relapse.
Cocaine, Meth, and Other Stimulants Withdrawal Side Effects
Side effects from a stimulant like cocaine, crack cocaine, or methamphetamines usually start within 36 hours of stopping the drug and can continue for a few weeks or even months. Withdrawing from cocaine abuse and other forms of stimulant abuse is uncomfortable, and the symptoms are difficult to manage. Comfort medication is often used in cocaine and methamphetamine treatment. Stimulant detox side effects can be broken down into three stages:
- Early Stage (a.k.a. Crashing)
Intense drug cravings, increased appetite, anxiety, anger and aggression, agitation, delusions, fatigue, etc. - Middle Stage
Inability to focus, fatigue, confusion, insomnia, depression, memory loss, cravings, etc. - Late Stage
Intense sleepiness, extreme appetite, mood swings, bad dreams, etc.
The best detox near me
If you’re seeking detox services in West Palm Beach, Florida, or the surrounding areas, Flagler Health & Wellness distinguishes itself as the best choice for several reasons:
- Personalized Approach: At Flagler, we understand that no two individuals are the same, and neither are their journeys with substance use. Our dedicated team conducts comprehensive assessments to create personalized detox plans tailored to each individual’s unique needs and circumstances.
- Experienced Team: Our team comprises healthcare professionals who have extensive experience in addiction medicine. From our medical staff monitoring physical health during detox to our counselors providing emotional support, the expertise of our team ensures the highest quality of care.
- Safe, Comfortable Environment: Detox can be a challenging process, and the environment in which it takes place plays a crucial role. At Flagler, we provide a secure, comfortable, and serene setting that promotes healing and recovery. Our facilities are designed to feel more like a home than a clinical environment, easing the detox process.
- Holistic Care: We believe in treating the whole person, not just the symptoms of substance use. Along with managing physical withdrawal symptoms, we also address mental and emotional health through therapies and counseling sessions. This approach helps lay a strong foundation for sustainable recovery.
- Continuum of Care: Detox is the first step on your path to recovery. At Flagler, we ensure a smooth transition to the next phase of your treatment, whether it’s inpatient rehab, outpatient services, or ongoing therapy. Our approach is geared toward long-term recovery, guiding patients through each stage of their journey.
- Convenient Location: If you’re searching for ‘the best detox near me’, Flagler’s location in West Palm Beach makes it a convenient choice for those living in South Florida. We’re committed to providing local communities with top-notch care.
Choosing Flagler Health & Wellness as your go to addiction treatment program means choosing an empathetic, comprehensive, and personalized approach to detox and drug rehab. Our commitment to our patients’ well-being and our holistic approach to treatment make us a top choice for those seeking detox services.
Inpatient Detox Program for Drug and Alcohol Use Disorder — West Palm Beach South Florida
The treatment process at Flagler Health And Wellness begins with a comprehensive assessment, which includes blood and urine screenings, medical history, psychological assessments, and another testing as applicable. The results of the assessment determine whether a patient would benefit from medical detox (as well as the use of supplemental medication like those used to control cravings).
Flagler Health And Wellness interdisciplinary team of physicians, nurses, nurse practitioners, and other skilled clinicians oversee the medical detox process at a well-equipped on-campus medical center. They continuously evaluate each patient’s withdrawal symptoms and their physical and mental health, prescribing withdrawal medications as clinically indicated so that patients stay comfortable.
Patients who have co-occurring disorders that require immediate attention receive treatment from Flagler Health And Wellness on-site medical staff when possible. If more specialized care is needed, the patient may be referred to outside providers who have exp
