More About Detox Centers
Do I need to detox before I go to rehab?
This depends on your substance use history, including the type, level and length of substance use. As part of the admissions process, an admissions advisor or clinical staff will discuss detox requirements during an initial assessment and work with you to create a detox plan. You can also receive a detox evaluation from your primary care doctor.
Are there benefits to choosing a rehab out of the country?
Both out-of-country rehabs and rehabs close to home come with their own set of benefits. You may consider a rehab out of country if you’re looking for more privacy and greater confidentiality. Rehabs abroad also give you a chance to disconnect from your everyday environment and potentially gain a new perspective. Some people seek rehabs abroad for specific treatments and treatment philosophies that they can’t find back home.
Will I lose my job going to rehab?
If you have a serious health condition, which includes substance abuse and mental health issues that meet certain requirements, and your employer is covered by The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), you are eligible to take job-protected leave for treatment. FMLA gives you up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave in a one-year period, given you use that leave time to go through treatment. When you’re done with your program, FMLA guarantees you are employed under the same working terms and conditions as before you left.
What is a rehab alumni program?
A number of rehabs have an alumni program as part of their continuing care. These programs connect you to a network of alumni who support each other’s sobriety and transition to life outside the treatment center.
Can I receive aftercare treatment online?
Thanks to the rise in telemedicine, many rehab centers now offer teletherapy and online counseling as part of their continuing care plan.
Detox is the process of removing substances from the body. These substances can include alcohol, illicit drugs, prescription drugs, and synthetic drugs. Detoxing typically takes 3-10 days, depending on what you were taking and how much you usually took. Detox is often the first step in addiction treatment.
At a detox center, you may receive medication-assisted treatment (MAT), holistic therapies, and talk therapy. Professionals use these to make the experience more comfortable and safe.
What’s The Detox Process Like?
First, you’ll likely undergo a medical assessment. This helps your treatment providers tailor the experience to your needs. Depending on the center, you may also receive medications (methadone, buprenorphine, antabuse, suboxone, tramadol, some benzodiazepines, and more) to ease withdrawals and maintain sobriety.
As you detox, nurses, doctors, or other clinical staff check on you daily to monitor your symptoms and progress. They may check in more often, depending on your needs. Detox is considered complete once your withdrawal symptoms subside and all toxins have left your system. You’ll then move into the therapeutic healing process to address what led to addiction and explore new coping mechanisms.
What Are The Success Rates of Detox Centers?
Detox centers often remove toxins and drugs from the body with success. But that’s just the first step in treatment. Detox doesn’t address the thoughts, traumas, and circumstances that may have caused addiction. That’s why detox is only considered the first, but very important, step in recovery.
Detox centers also have the element of safety since professionals lead and monitor the process. Detoxing on your own could have dangerous, and even fatal, results.
How Long Does a Typical Detox Program Last?
Detox usually lasts 5-10 days, but the total time depends on your unique circumstance. Providers will initiate detox as slow or fast as your symptoms demand.
What Kind of Support Is Offered During Detox?
Your providers may provide medication-assisted treatment, holistic treatments, and alternative services. Some holistic services include diet changes, supplements, sauna sessions, massage, and acupuncture. Other providers may use alternative treatments like ibogaine, ketamine, or psilocybin to ease withdrawals.
If/when you’re up for it, your treatment center may also invite you to begin therapy, usually in a group setting with others in detox. This offers emotional support during a potentially tumultuous time.
What Qualifications Do Detox Staff Members Have?
Detox staff often have specialized qualifications in detoxification and/or experience applying their clinical expertise to the detox level of care. Staff may include registered nurses, doctors, physician’s assistants, behavioral technicians, and holistic services providers.
Clinical staff (nurses, doctors, psychiatrists) prescribe and distribute all detox medications. They’re also the ones monitoring your symptoms and making sure nothing goes awry.