If you’re starting to research drug and alcohol treatment centers, the first thing you’ll realize is that not all rehab programs are the same. It’s crucial to choose the curriculum, amenities and treatment philosophy that will give you the best chances of recovery. Medically assisted inpatient detox is an option that can keep you safe, healthy and comfortable during this critical first stage of sobriety.
What Happens During Detox?
Starting inpatient rehab without first clearing your body and brain of toxic substances can be risky, especially for those with a long-term history of drinking and drug abuse. That’s because ongoing substance misuse – whether it involves alcohol, benzodiazepines or opioids – can create a physical dependence.
In the absence of these addictive substances, the body can respond with a range of painful, unpleasant withdrawal symptoms like nausea, body aches, chills, insomnia and seizures. During the detox process, medical professionals will monitor you 24/7 and administer medications, as necessary, to ease your withdrawal symptoms and keep you safe and comfortable as you rid yourself of harmful chemicals.
Who Needs to Undergo Medically Managed Detox?
You might believe detoxing will go more smoothly if you try it in the comfortable, familiar environment of your home. However, this is a dangerous misconception. Attempting to go through this process without help from qualified addiction professionals can be painful, frightening and possibly even life-threatening.
Being in a clinical setting, where medical intervention is available if severe withdrawal side effects threaten your safety, can make all the difference in your ability to stabilize and progress seamlessly into the next treatment phases. A team of health providers that is trained to recognize and address the unique symptoms associated with each drug can create a personalized detox treatment plan for you.
What Happens After Detox?
Detox’s sole purpose is to safely purge your system of all intoxicants, so you can enter inpatient addiction treatment with a clean slate. The process represents a vital foundation for people who habitually misuse substances like opioids, alcohol and benzodiazepines, but it is not a “cure” for the disease of addiction.
Because detox alone does not equal recovery, you must also have a plan for what you’ll do after you complete this process. Long-term recovery involves individual counseling and group therapy to uncover the behavioral patterns, co-occurring disorders and environmental factors that lead to addiction.
Moving into a residential rehabilitation program after detoxification will equip you with healthy coping mechanisms and teach you the skills you’ll need to avoid a relapse. Choosing one facility that offers both options can remove treatment barriers and prevent any gaps between one step on the continuum of care to the next.
Holistic Addiction Recovery That Addresses All Your Needs
If you’re ready to start your journey toward total health and wellness, our admissions counselors are ready to take your call. To learn more about medically supervised detox in Taos, New Mexico, contact us today.
