Why are drug and alcohol detox centers so important to addiction recovery? Some may incorrectly assume that going through detox while under the supervision of professionals at a center is the same as doing it at home. However, there’s so much that can go wrong during detoxification – some physical symptoms of withdrawal can even be life-threatening – that it seems only prudent to rely on drug and alcohol detox centers to help.
The prevalence of drug and alcohol detox centers allows individuals to get the professional help they need to successfully recover from addiction. However, before they get there, they need to be convinced that they need to go.
Why Are Drug and Alcohol Detox Centers Essential?
Detox often involves enduring the physical and mental effects of the body adjusting to a lack of drugs or alcohol in its system. It can be very uncomfortable and many people with substance use disorders may have already tried doing it on their own – unsuccessfully and painfully.
But to stop using drugs or alcohol and begin recovery, an individual’s body needs to be cleansed and symptoms will resulting from that sudden absence of substances in the system. Common withdrawal symptoms include anxiety, depression, irritability, shaking, stomach cramps, sweating, and vomiting. Substance cravings and physical pain are also typical – and it’s these effects that medication-assisted treatment (MAT) handles. It would be difficult to get access to MAT, otherwise.
Without centers like this, it would be difficult for individuals to get sober enough to be admitted into addiction treatment programs. Detox forces an individual’s body to adjust to not having drugs and alcohol. Because of this, it allows their brain chemistry to return to healthy levels.
Are There Differences Between Drug and Alcohol Detox?
Detox centers treat individuals that are struggling while their bodies are cleansed of drugs and alcohol. These facilities may be independent of or partnered with addiction treatment centers. Some may even be located without an addiction treatment center.
Apart from some elements related to the substance being abused by individuals, though, there’s not much that’s different when it comes to drug and alcohol detox centers. Each detox center may operate differently, but some basic things are handled the same:
- Comprehensive assessment: Before anything else, individuals will go through an assessment before being fully admitted. The details from this process will also help professionals form a customized addiction treatment plan for the individual.
- Detoxification and monitoring: At this stage, some individuals may need MAT. However, some will only need 24-hour care and supervision. The staff needs to monitor individuals and maintain their medical stability.
- Therapy and care: When individuals are stable and fully sober, they can be transferred out of detox and into actual addiction treatment. Many programs will include group counseling, family therapy, individual counseling, and other forms of care. These activities are meant to help with long-term addiction treatment and sobriety maintenance.
What Should Individuals Look for in a Drug and Alcohol Detox Center?
Although facilities with a good reputation will always be good choices, the top priority should be any special considerations an individual needs. After all, if an individual is not comfortable, it will be more difficult for them to focus on recovery. For example, looking for gender-specific detox centers would be ideal if an individual has an aversion to being around members of the opposite sex.
Individuals should also decide if they’d like access to MAT. They should also decide whether or not they want to undergo residential treatment. Most severe addictions will require these forms of treatment. However, not all detox centers will offer them. Some individuals may also be limited in their choices due to the specifics of their health insurance plan.