Drug Detox: Get Help Today
If you need any assistance in overcoming drug addiction, find out where to start here with our help here at Action Rehab…
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If you’re ready to get the help you need, talk to us about drug detox treatment; find out more here and don’t hesitate to get in touch with us here at Action Rehab.
Get in Touch TodayDrug detox isn’t easy, which is why nobody should go through it alone. With the help of us at Action Rehab, we are able to provide options to those who need it most, finding suitable detox recovery centres no matter the kind of drug addiction.
Why Detoxing From Drugs Is Important
Detoxing from drugs is necessary due to the fact that while the drugs are still in the bodily system, those suffering from addiction will struggle to combat the psychological branch of the addiction fully.
Without a safe detoxing process, it is not only difficult to find a way out of addiction, but the withdrawals when doing so alone can be incredibly hard to manage.
For this reason, we recommend opting for a safe, secure and experienced drug detox centre.
Detox is also necessary for safety reasons. Whether it is yourself, or somebody else that you know that is suffering from drug addiction, it is crucial that detox is undergone in a controlled facility so that inpatients are in safe hands should anything go wrong.
Within the walls of a designated clinic, those that require a detox are able to do so with the right level of care around them. From medicine to manage withdrawals to therapy to stay on track, the right attention in the right places makes for a recovery plan that is destined for success.
It is important to remember that drug detoxification is dangerous when unsupervised, the rapid transition from taking drugs regularly to taking none at all (AKA. cold turkey) can be detrimental to health and even potentially fatal.
It is impossible to live a regular, everyday lifestyle with drug addiction clouding the mind.
Whether it is losing a job, or even losing a family, drug addiction can seriously break down the most important things in life.
Before it gets to this stage, or if this sounds familiar, it is important to seek the right level of help.
Choosing The Right Drug Detox Centre
Drug detox can range in severity, it is important to take into consideration the exact substances being taken, the level of care needed physically and mentally, if there are any pre-existing medical conditions and other similar instances.
This is due to the fact that these can be factors that help with the decision making process of choosing the right detox centre that adhere to individual specialist requirements.
At Action Rehab, we’re able to assess these factors on a case by case basis and with this valuable information, come up with suitable drug detox and rehab facilities that are suited.
Some of the factors to think about when choosing a facility include:
- Staff Care & Expertise: Those in recovery require specialist help that is unique to drug detox and withdrawal. It is important that the staff working in the chosen facility understand these requirements and know how to confidently respond in an emergency.
- Reputation: The reputation of a clinic often lies in the hands of past clients, for that reason, looking out for reviews and success stories is a great way of determining the suitability of the drug detox centre.
- CQC Rating: The CQC rating of a facility ensures the capability and trustworthiness of a drug detox centre. The CQC is a regulatory body that audits health and care facilities and ensures they operate in a safe, secure and effective manner.
Benefits of Drug Detox
- Personalised medical care
- Safe and comforting surroundings
- Detox medication
- Free Aftercare Programmes in Selected Facilities
- Range of Location Choices
- Ability to go into Rehab with No Distraction
- Accountability From Professionals & Groups
- Tailored Detox Treatment Plans
A Typical Drug Detox Timeline
The timeline of drug detoxes varies massively depending on the drug being used. While some drugs may have lesser withdrawal symptoms than others, all addictions are likely to present some level of withdrawal physical, and psychological.
It also should be taken into consideration that drug detoxing from more than one substance is also likely to make for more intense withdrawal symptoms, as the body craves for more than one drug.
So while cocaine detox may be more psychological than the likes of heroin detox which is largely physical, there are some timeline similarities that are normal to see during any drug detox, and this is as follows.
Stage 1: Initial Withdrawal 0 – 24 Hours
During this first stage, most of those that haven’t taken substances for 24 hours will start to exhibit some level of withdrawal. This may look like some level of craving for minor addictions, but for more hard drugs the substances can be more extreme, looking like vomiting or nausea.
Stage 2: Peak Withdrawal during the first 7 days
During the first week of withdrawal, the worst of the drug detox symptoms come to light. These can vary dramatically depending on the level of addiction and the exact substances being taken, but some symptoms can include severe cravings, elevated heart rate and blood pressure, tremors, diarrhoea, chills and mood changes.
Stage 3: Beginning of recovery from week 2
Once the first full week is complete, the symptoms of detox from drugs being taken regularly start to subside; this is typical for physical symptoms, however not necessarily for psychological symptoms.
The body may still crave the substances, just not as intensely, in the same way there may be depression, anxiety, insomnia that lingers before it totally improves. It is during this time, that those that have completed detoxification will move on to rehabilitation, which aims to tackle the psychological side of drug addiction without the distraction of overwhelming physical withdrawal symptoms.
Stage 4: Recovery & Rehab From completion of week 2
After recovery is complete from the worst of the withdrawal symptoms, typically this stage will include rehab which can last up to 28-nights – sometimes more.
This is the late recovery stage, during this time while some psychological symptoms may linger, these are typically less intense symptoms and are more manageable.
Medical Supervision and Safety Measures During Detox
During drug detox, it is important to have ample medical supervision to ensure that the process is monitored effectively. This medical supervision comes in the form of doctors, nurses, addiction specialists and other professionals that have the expertise and authority to diagnose and distribute medical assistance.
When coming to a decision on a suitable drugs detox centre, take into consideration the aforementioned CQC rating as this will provide insight into the kind of staff that are a part of the facility.
Understanding Drug Withdrawal Symptoms
Drug withdrawal is an umbrella term for a collection of symptoms that can vary dramatically in what they are and how severe they can be; they’re felt during a drug detox but can be controlled with the right medication.
This can be intimidating for anybody trying to drug detox, but preparing by knowing what to expect could ease the fear of the unknown. The first thing to know is that different drug addictions present various withdrawal symptoms, so while you may experience some of these symptoms, you also may not. It is subjective to each individual’s addiction severity and the drugs being used.
Nonetheless, these are some common drug withdrawal symptoms during detox:
- Insomnia
- Nausea
- Headaches
- Shakes & Sweats
- Paranoia
- Anxiety
- Cravings (for drugs)
- Bone or joint pain
- Stomach and digestive issues
The list can be lengthy, and it is no secret that the initial withdrawal period is unpleasant, but coping with it can become more manageable when you have the proper assistance and support around you.
Medications Used During Drug Detox
Considering the actual substance that is being used is incredibly important when thinking about the medications that could assist in recovery.
When pursuing a detox for drug use, there are various chemical reactions in the brain happening all at once, this psychological weight, alongside the unpleasant systems make for a difficult recovery.
Due to this, many detox centres utilise the assistance of prescription medication to help manage these symptoms. While this isn’t absolutely necessary for everybody, it is often practised for those who need assistance in managing withdrawal symptoms.
If this is required, some of the medications used may include:
- Methadone: This is a long-acting opioid agonist that can help reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms.
- Buprenorphine: This is a partial opioid agonist that can assist in alleviating withdrawal symptoms and reduce cravings.
- Naltrexone: This is a common opioid antagonist that blocks the effects of opioids and can help prevent relapse after detox.
- Long-acting benzodiazepines (e.g.diazepam, chlordiazepoxide): These drugs may be used to taper off shorter-acting benzodiazepines and reduce the risk of withdrawal symptoms.
- Anticonvulsants: These medications may help manage symptoms such as anxiety, insomnia, and seizures during withdrawal from particular substances.
Though undergoing drug detox without additional medications is possible, it can prove more difficult and uncomfortable. This is why medical professionals often recommend the aforementioned medications for a drug detox.
Medications Used to Support Recovery
During recovery, medication isn’t always necessary – however, some may find this useful if they are struggling psychologically. The psychological impacts of drug abuse can have long lasting effects on the cognitive function of a past user, thus, it is important that this is treated when necessary.
The good news is, at Action Rehab, we are able to find a detox for drugs centre that offers aftercare. During this commitment to aftercare, those that have completed a qualifying programme are able to join therapy at least once a week to ensure they stay on track.
Aside from therapy, there are some psychological medications that may be able to help in keeping a positive mind set. These include the likes of SSRI antidepressants, anti-anxiety and antipsychotic medications.
There is a huge range of options when it comes to medication to manage post-detox and rehab recovery, so it is best to discuss this with the staff at the addiction recovery centre or a GP.
Reach Out to Our Support Team
Detoxing drugs from the body is no easy feat, which is why it is crucial to reach out today for help from addiction experts at Action Rehab. We are here to help, no matter what the drug addiction is, or where you are.
Why Choose Action Rehab?
At Action Rehab, we aim to help anybody, anywhere. Our goal is to help not only those suffering from addiction, but the family of those and peers; from employee referrals to self-referrals, we are here for everyone that is being affected by addiction.
A consultation with our helpful team is free of charge, so let’s talk about how to get on the road to recovery with our help and network of top performing rehab and drug detox centres.
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Talk to us today about how we can help, we are just a phone call away.
Contact us via either our contact form, telephone on 0151 268 6992 or via email at info@action-rehab.co.uk.
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John Gillen - Author - Last Updated: 16th November 2017
John is a leading expert in addiction recovery and has been pioneering new techniques such as NAD+ for over 10 years. He’s committed to providing the best treatment options available throughout Europe, including ongoing research into therapies like laser therapy to help people heal from their problems.
Dr. Pamela Young - Doctor - Last Reviewed: 25/10/2022 1:00 pm
Dr. Pamela Young MBChB, DRCOG, MRCGP, DFSRH, FRSPH, MBA (Cantab)
Dr Young is a highly experienced GP specialising in drug detoxification and mental health issues, which often coexist alongside drug misuse.
She helps people who struggle with substance abuse by providing medical treatment to help them recover from their addictions while also managing any withdrawal symptoms that may occur when quitting an addictive substance.
Very experienced in helping patients through the detoxification stage of rehab, both as inpatients and outpatients treated through community care.
Dr Young is a recognised healthcare services professional who also holds a Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) degree from Cambridge University Judge Business School.
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