Arizona Detox
We Connect you to Professional Detoxification Services for Substance Abuse and Addiction
Detox or detoxification is the process of removing all traces of alcohol and/or drugs in the body. As part of the rehabilitation process in Arizona, detox aims to safely manage the symptoms of withdrawal when the individual stops consuming alcohol or taking drugs.
The Importance of Detox
Continued use of alcohol or other drugs may cause the body to develop dependence. If you abruptly quit certain substances, you may experience withdrawal symptoms, which can be life-threatening in some cases.
Detox can:
- Provide relief from the discomfort of withdrawal.
- Offer the smoothest way towards becoming clean or sober.
- Help with any medical situations that may happen.
An effective detox can reduce one’s likelihood of suffering from relapse.
Is It Safe to Detox at Home?
Doing a detox on your own at home can be dangerous and fatal. Before starting treatment for drug or alcohol abuse, we recommend that you seek professional and medical help due to the severity of risks related with detox.
Substances That Require Detox
Certain substances require detox supervised by a medical specialist. Withdrawal from these substances can be a reason for the individual to experience potentially lethal convulsions or seizures or become severely agitated.
These substances include:
- Alcohol
- Benzodiazepines – e.g. Valium, Xanax, and Ativan
- Barbiturates
Some studies show that non-benzodiazepine sedative hypnotics (like Lunesta and Ambien) also require closely supervised detoxification.
Detox is strongly recommended for those addicted to:
- Opiates – including illegal drugs like heroin
- Stimulants – including methamphetamine, cocaine, and prescription drugs like Ritalin and Adderall
- Prescription opioids – including oxycodone and hydrocodone and their brand formulations like OxyContin, Lortab, Percocet, Norco and Vicodin
While withdrawal from these substances does not cause a medical emergency, the dangerous side effects of the withdrawal may trigger relapse for some people.
Quitting “Cold Turkey”
Quitting drugs or alcohol without medical supervision or going “cold turkey” may lead to serious and deadly conditions, especially for individuals experiencing withdrawal from substances like barbiturate, benzodiazepine, and alcohol.
Possible Effects of Quitting Cold Turkey:
- Higher chances of relapse
- Higher risk of overdose during relapse because of reduced tolerance to the substance
- Uncomfortable withdrawal
- Death – often due to convulsion and uncontrolled seizure
The Detox Process
People recovering from drug or alcohol abuse have different detox needs. This process will help them get personalized treatment. It generally involves three steps.
Evaluation
Patients will undergo screening with medical specialists to check for mental and physical health problems. Through blood tests, doctors will measure the amount of alcohol or drugs in their system. This will help determine the type and level of medications the patients need.
During the evaluation, there will also be a thorough review of medical, psychiatric, and drug histories of the patient. This will establish the basis for the long-term program of the patient.
Medical specialists will also assess the social situation of the patient. Finally, patients will undergo risk evaluation to assess the possible severity of withdrawal and to determine if medical supervision is needed.
Stabilization
This step will help the patient through withdrawal with medical and psychosocial treatments. It aims to prevent any kind of harm to the patient. To lessen the symptoms of withdrawal and prevent complications, doctors may prescribe medications to treat their addictions.
The process of stabilization will also help determine the proper diet and nutrition for the patient. Specialists will educate them on what they can expect during their treatment and recovery. When appropriate and with confidentiality, this step may also include the family and friends of the patient.
Preparing for Entry into Treatment
This last step of detox will prepare the patients to enter treatment for drug or alcohol abuse. Specialists will persuade them to continue with a treatment plan and aftercare. There are many programs that can help them prepare for their treatment plan. Here at SpringBoard Recovery, we provide treatment plans that suit the needs of every patient.
Alternative and Holistic Programs for Detox
Many alcohol or drug detox treatment plans involve the intake of medication. However, there are alternative and holistic approaches that combine more non-conventional therapies, including the following:
- Healthy nutrition
- Acupuncture
- Exercise
- Yoga and meditation
- Creative arts therapies
- Biofeedback
Arizona Detox for Pregnant Women
Detox may lead to stress on the unborn baby (through severe fetal distress and preterm labor). Medical supervision is essential for pregnant women during detox to manage the pain and prevent relapse. Often, doctors prescribe medications to pregnant women during detox to stabilize them.
Rapid and Ultra-rapid Detox
In clinical studies, rapid detox is also called anesthesia-assisted detox wherein the patient will be given anesthesia and medications to replace the drugs or alcohol in their body as they go through the symptoms of withdrawal. This process was initially intended for individuals who have addictions to opiate drugs, such as heroin and painkillers.
Compared to an ordinary detox, advocates claim that rapid detox is a faster way of eliminating the drugs or alcohol in a patient’s system while also preventing pains caused by withdrawal symptoms. As advertised, people going through rapid detox will just “sleep through withdrawal,” because it is a virtually painless process.
However, this method is widely criticized because its risks outweigh its benefits. The CDC or Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that rapid detox processes have little to no evidence to justify its practice and have demonstrated substantial risks, which include death.
Rapid detox can take about two to three days, while ultra-rapid detox can take as quick as a few hours. While rapid detox carries fewer risks than ultra-rapid detox, both are quite expensive and insurance does not usually cover them.
Life after Detox
Detox is only the start of treating drug and alcohol abuse. By itself, detox is generally insufficient to accomplish an effective addiction recovery. While it is not required, we recommend that patients go into treatment right after going through the detox process.
Our specialists here in SpringBoard Recovery can help you transition to treatment centers. Treatment after detox includes inpatient and outpatient programs, including support groups.
Treatment options after detox are as follows:
- Inpatient residential
- Outpatient
- Support groups
- Group counseling
- Individual counseling
- 12-step recovery program
- Structured sober living
