The idea of going through a detox can be terrifying. Most people who are addicted to drugs or alcohol know what withdrawal symptoms feel like and how dangerous they can be, so it is not surprising if they feel intimidated by going through withdrawals on purpose on the road to recovery. With a medical detox, however, there are professionals available to help. They can keep the patient safe, ensure they have help handling withdrawal symptoms as needed, and work with them through this until they are ready for the next steps toward recovery.
An Evaluation Before Starting
Prior to detoxing and addiction treatment California, the patient will need to go through an evaluation. This allows medical personnel to learn more about the person’s habits, what they’re detoxing from, what withdrawal symptoms they’ve had in the past, and anything else that is important to know. It can also include reviewing known allergens, especially if there are any medical allergens, as well as anything else that might impact the detox process or have the potential to be dangerous while the patient is detoxing.
Withdrawal Symptoms and Care
Once the evaluation is done, the wait begins. Most people won’t start suffering from withdrawal symptoms immediately, but they can start within the first 24 hours and continue to increase over the next few days to a week, depending on the drugs or alcohol taken and how long the person has suffered from addiction. As the patient starts to experience withdrawal symptoms, the medical personnel will be there to assist and help them feel more comfortable.
Medications to Help With Withdrawal Symptoms
In some instances, medications may be needed to help reduce the impact of withdrawal symptoms or to keep the patient safe. A variety of medications can be used depending on the specific symptoms detected, the severity, and other factors. It is crucial to have medical personnel determine the right medication and dosage to prevent interactions and ensure the patient is safe while they finish the detox.
Tracking Overal Condition for at Least a Week
The patient will need to stay for the duration of the detox, which can last a week or longer. During this period, they’ll receive help from the medical personnel to manage all symptoms as they appear. Some of the most dangerous symptoms can occur a few days to a week after someone stops using drugs or alcohol, so it is crucial to complete the detox process while under medical supervision. Though the symptoms may feel minor in the beginning, they can get worse as the week goes on.
Relief From Withdrawal Symptoms
After a week or so, the patient will start to feel better. Once the drugs or alcohol are completely out of their system and the withdrawal symptoms start to subside, it’s time to talk about what needs to be done going forward and what treatment options might be best. The detox process isn’t all that’s needed for treatment, but it is the beginning and allows the person to get the drugs or alcohol out of their system so they can start moving forward.
If you or a loved one is suffering from addiction and worried about the detox process, there are medical detox programs that provide assistance through this process. With help from medical professionals, it’s easier and safer to detox from drugs and alcohol, and the person can then start taking the steps they need to get through treatment and start their recovery.
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