Do You Need Medical Detox?

September 6, 2016 - Detox, Treatment - 0 Comments

If you or someone you love has a substance abuse problem, you might find yourself searching for solutions to help them get back on their feet and lead a normal life free from their addictions. But where do you begin and how do you know which route to go that would best suit their needs? Well, in most cases quitting cold-turkey is not an option, nor should it be as that can be extremely dangerous. Therefore, the first step is usually entering a medical drug detox program. So let’s talk about medical drug detox, drug detox centers and whether or not a natural drug detox program is even an option.

What is a Medical Drug Detox?

Medical drug detox, which is short for detoxification, is the process which involves removing harmful toxins and poisons from the body. A medical drug detox is always performed under medical supervision. And, since everyone is biologically different, there is no one size fits all medical drug detox solution. Therefore, a customized medical detox protocol should be specifically designed for each person. One that provides for alternative procedures in the event the patient reacts differently than others who received the same treatment.

When Is a Medical Drug Detox Necessary?

Once a person has become dependent or addicted to a substance, a medical drug detox is what’s usually required, because that person has become physically addicted. Therefore, medical intervention is necessary and will help them safely manage the physical symptoms of withdrawal they will experience once they stop receiving the substance they are addicted to. Medical drug detox is only the first step in treating an addiction and isn’t enough to prevent long-term substance abuse from recurring.

Who Needs a Drug Detox Program?

Many people who are addicted to any given substance don’t always think they need a drug detox and that they can quit anytime. However, that is usually not the case. A physical addiction goes way beyond quitting cold turkey, not to mention the accompanying withdrawals. A physical addiction can be life threatening, if the treatment is not handled properly. For example, if a person is addicted to opioids such as OxyContin, Vicodin, Percocet, oxycodone, methadone or heroin, trying to quit without medical supervision could cost them their life, not to mention the potential for serious medical problems that could also occur.

What About Drug Detox Centers?

Do drug detox centers, or rehabs, offer medical detox programs? Yes, some do have medical facilities within their drug detox centers. And there are other drug detox centers out there that offer a variety of options, such as inpatient or outpatient treatment options. Outpatient drug detox centers allow a person to work with their doctor who supervises that person’s treatment from home. The doctor will usually prescribe drugs and recommend the proper hydration along with vitamin and mineral therapies. Inpatient drug detox centers are where a person is checked into a drug detox facility and remains under medical supervision until their treatment is complete. The duration of stay at drug detox centers is usually a week, to two weeks or longer depending on the substance that was abused, the patient’s medical history and the extent of their substance use.

Is a Natural Drug Detox Option Available?

There are plenty of natural drug detox options available; however, depending on the substance being abused, as well as several other factors, a natural drug detox option might not be the best way to go because of the withdrawals and other medical dangers involved. However, if you decide you want a natural drug detox program, you should talk with your doctor first to make sure that 1.) you are mentally and physically able to handle a natural drug detox program and 2.) that your addiction is one that doesn’t require you to have a medical drug detox performed prior to going on a natural drug detox regimen.

Conclusion

So to answer the question “Do you need a medical detox?” The answer is, it depends. However, with that being said, if you or someone you love is physically addicted to any substance to the point you or they can’t live a normal life without that substance, then the answer is yes. Even if you think you only have a slight addiction problem, a medical detox can’t hurt and could actually help your overall treatment to be completed more quickly and more effectively. Just remember that the medical drug detoxing part of your treatment is only the first step on the road to recovery. A medical drug detox should always be followed by going into a inpatient or outpatient addiction treatment program.

His and Her Houses offers industry leading detox treatment programs. We were founded in 1994 and we base our programs on five key principles: commitment, honesty, integrity, respect, and service. These five principles guide us in all that we do and all the care we provide. Contact us today to see how we can help you or your love one at (888) 376-7268.