At Couples Rehab we offer information about drug and alcohol addiction treatment information and options. This article is about the initial process of recover, “detox”. Whether you enter into rehab alone, or as a couples, this information can help you. Getting rid of alcohol and drug addiction involves a process called detoxification. Medical detoxification is the process which safely and systematically withdraws individuals from drugs, typically under the care and supervision of a doctor. Using prohibited drugs or drinking alcohol may trigger physical dependence in the long run and quitting on them can lead to withdrawal symptoms among people who suffer from this dependence. There are a number of treatment centers the offer the option for couples can attend rehab together. If you would like to know more about a rehab that allows couples to work on recovery together please contact our center and speak with a professional adviser.
If you and your partner are looking to attend the best drug rehab center for couples, so you can both recover from an addiction, then contact us today. Our couples therapy program for drug or alcohol abuse is ideal for couples in which both parties are suffering, and are wanting to get treatment together, call (888) 500-2110 .
The process of detoxification for drugs and alcohol is carefully designed to cure the immediate physical effects of quitting on using drugs and to eliminate harmful toxins left inside the body as the outcome of those chemicals that are present in alcohol and drugs. It is typically involved in the programs offered by any inpatient or outpatient facility for rehabilitation.
The process of detoxification could be performed on the outpatient and inpatient basis and the choice for you will depend on how severe your addiction is. Inpatient detoxification permits the patients to be monitored closely, prevent the use of drugs and it could hasten the entire process. Meanwhile, outpatient detoxification comes with the benefit of being not so disruptive to the lives of patients and it is cheaper.
The option of setting may depend on different factors like addicting drugs, length of the history and amount of abuse, various psychological issues, the age of patients and co-existing medical or psychiatric disorders among others. Whilst treatment centers usually have detoxification facilities of their own, others are making arrangements for their valued patients to take advantage of the detoxification programs in the nearby sites, which involve clinics and hospitals. There are registered detoxification facilities in many areas of the US.
Drug Detox Stages
A detoxification program intended for physical dependence doesn’t necessarily address the instances of addiction, mental addiction, social factors and the often complex behavioral problems which interfere with addiction. The Department of Health & Human Services of the United States acknowledges 3 steps in drug detoxification:
- Assessment – upon getting started with drug detoxification, the patient will be initially tested in order to find out which substances are currently present in the bloodstream or their amount. Clinicians are also evaluating the patient for any probable co-occurring disorders, double diagnosis and behavioral or mental issues.
- Stabilization – within this phase, a patient will be guided over the detoxification process. It can be carried out with or even with no medications yet for most parts of the process, it is typical. Likewise, it also involves explaining those things a patient can anticipate throughout the course of treatment and also within the recovery phase. When needed or suitable, people who are close to the patient will be brought to the facility in order to give support to him or her.
- Guiding the Patient into the Treatment – the final step of the process of detoxification is to get the patient prepared for the actual process of recovery. Since drug detoxification simply deals with physical dependency as well as addiction to drugs, it doesn’t resolve those psychological elements of drug addiction. This particular stage entails getting agreement from a patient in order to complete the process through enrolling inside of a drug rehab and recovery program.
The initial detoxification period could be intense for most patients and psychiatric and medical staff members would be on hand consistently to give effective support. For instance, in several hours following the final dosage of heroin, those who are suffering from addiction to opioid would usually experience a few of withdrawal signs:
- Excessive yawning
- Sweating
- Anxiety
- Muscle aches
- Agitation
- Increased watering of your eyes
- Insomnia
- Runny nose
Though such symptoms are not life-threatening, they could be somewhat uncomfortable. This is the reason why it is important for such patients to receive medical and psychiatric care whilst detoxifying from prohibited drugs. A number of concerns could come up for the patients within the initial few hours of the detoxification process. The most vital need would be addressed first, to be followed by the next then the succeeding one till complete stabilization was established. Some examples of probable issues involve the following:
- Violence – some drugs could boost violent behaviors in some users. For instance, people who are abusing artificial cathinones or the so-called “bath salts” may be more at danger of hurting themselves and others. Those patients who are threats to others may require restraint or sedation to safeguard them and their medical providers. Such measures are needed when the patient turns to be physically aggressive and is attempting to hurt staff members.
- Signs of psychosis – psychosis is a harmful complication that has been brought on by the impact of some prohibited drugs like cocaine. When somebody uses excessive amounts of cocaine, they could be paranoid and they might suffer from full-blown psychosis. Symptoms involve auditory and visual hallucinations as well as delusional thinking. Some other reasons for this condition include the presence of the co-occurring psychological health disorder like schizophrenia and the lack of sleep because of the use of stimulants. Somebody who suffers from psychosis could behave erratically and it turns to be unpredictable. It is necessary to resolve this problem and it treats the patient appropriately prior to continue with other interventions.
- Injury – in some other cases, the patients might hurt themselves whilst under the influence of these substances or have been sexually or physically assaulted prior to entering detox. For instance, PCP is the powerful dissociative medicine which can trigger feelings of increased invulnerability and strength. Because of this particular misconception, people who use PCP are likely to place themselves in harm simply for the reason that they are underneath the impression that they will not get hurt. They are also at further risk of having suicidal behaviors that can lead to injury when suicide is not done successfully. Any bodily injury may be cured immediately before treatment can be provided.
- Medical illness – a lot of people who are suffering from debilitating, chronic pain are prescribed opioid painkiller. Unluckily, it is possible to develop dependence & subsequent addiction to such medicines. While the patient starts detoxifying from the prescription opioid, their severe pain would return aside from uncomfortable withdrawal signs. It is important to be aware of the patient’s medical history and then cure the signs of pain suitably before proceeding.
- Threat to self – withdrawal from opioids as well as some other substances could be related with severe depressive signs which may be associated with suicide attempts & completed suicides. Patients who are exhibiting suicidal behavior or thoughts should be protected in all times. When such acute problems have been identified and assessed throughout the evaluation process, they will immediately be cured till they’ve passed or the patient was stabilized. In this period of time, focus and attention can result to dealing with the withdrawal symptoms related with detox.
Alcohol Withdrawal Stages
Alcohol withdrawal could be broken down in 3 stages, namely:
- Stage one – insomnia, anxiety, nausea, and abdominal pain are those signs that characterize this particular stage and it starts eight hours after the previous intake.
- Stage two – it includes hypertension, increased body temperature, infrequent heart rate as well as confusion and it starts 24 to 72 hours after the final drink.
- Stage three – hallucinations, seizures, fever, and also agitation come with such stage and it has the tendency to start more than 72 hours following the previous drink.
All symptoms have the tendency to decrease in five to seven days.
Drug and Alcohol Detoxification Withdrawal Symptoms
According to a study on drugs withdrawal, the sudden stoppage of various types of drugs would lead to extremely various sets of withdrawal signs. Additionally, the symptoms experienced as well as their intensity would also differ from one person to another.
Factors which impact individual experiences with drug withdrawal involve:
- the span of addiction
- the mix of drugs used, including alcohol
- the dosage of drugs if the patient starts detoxification
- the presence of co-occurring mental or physical disorders
- half-life of the prohibited drugs
Typical withdrawal symptoms which may develop in connection with different forms of drugs include the following:
- mood disturbances
- physical problems
- sleep disturbances
- cravings
Medicines Used in Detoxing From Alcohol
If the patient enters the alcohol or drug rehab program, at times, a medically managed detox is used as the main approach to assist clinicians in evaluating the addiction and aid the user to get started with the process of withdrawal. Not each person has to go over the detoxification process yet in the case of those people who are too much addicted to alcohol or drugs, this process will be extremely effective. Some addictions, like those to opiates and alcohol, usually require the detox process before the rehabilitative care.
If you are in a relationship where both of you are abusing drugs or alcohol, a couples detox and rehab may be the treatment you need. Locate the top couples rehab centers by calling one of our advisers and discuss your options 844-904-6653
Medications for Withdrawal Symptoms of Drug and Alcohol Detoxification
There are few medicines available which are proven helpful in a person who goes through detoxification and cope with the symptoms. Since every addiction is unique to a person, treatment medicines could differ based on the severity of the condition, the kind of drug used and the personal commitment of a person to sobriety.
Opiates
It has been estimated that around 9% of the total population erroneously use opiates. It can be heroin, morphine or a painkiller medicine. Typically used medicines in opiate detoxification include buprenorphine, clonidine or methadone. Methadone is usually used in an inpatient treatment setting with intravenous users.
Whilst it doesn’t negate the symptoms entirely, it helps a user in getting off heroin and resumes a normal lifestyle relatively. Some other medicines such as buprenorphine could shorten the span of detoxification and it can be used in a long-term treatment plan. Naltrexone is also a medicine used for addiction but it is normally administered following detoxification since it can help prevent relapse.
Alcohol
The withdrawal symptoms that are associated with alcohol may range from irritability and shakiness to disruption of the sleeping pattern. Most alcoholics have the tendency to experience depression and the depressive symptoms may aggravate during the withdrawal. Medicines such as diazepam, lorazepam, and others show promise in helping in case of alcohol withdrawal.
Chlordiazepoxide and diazepam are typically used medicines in the couples inpatient treatments and they can really help a lot in case of alcoholic transition due to withdrawal in a safe and smooth way as said by the American Academy of Family Physicians. Benzodiazepines have been proven effective in reducing the alcohol withdrawal effects.
Stimulants
Just like alcohol, most individuals who are abusing stimulants manifest symptoms of depression. Certain antidepressant medicines are used to aid in alleviating the symptoms and they could be great in detox, though they might not be suitable for long term usage. Desipramine is the antidepressant medicine used for some major withdrawal signs and this will be effective and good for detox.
Diazepam could be used in the case of mild to moderate withdrawal signs, yet it might not work well for serious withdrawal. Benzodiazepine tranquilizers were used to cure methamphetamine or cocaine addiction. Such forms of prescriptions are commonly used for some other medical purposes like dental work, yet they carry a danger of addiction.
Obtaining Treatment for Drug and Alcohol Addiction
When you or one of your loved ones is addicted to drugs, you might like to explore the available treatment choices. At times, taking the issue on your own and finding ways to get rid of it is not enough and it is not safe. You really have to seek help from people who know how to overcome addiction. There are many different outpatient and inpatient rehab facilities in many parts of the world that are responsible for helping addicts to get rid of alcohol and drug addiction.
These facilities are offering programs that are intended for helping their patients to cope and overcome the problem. These programs essentially involve the process of eliminating the harmful effects of drugs and alcohol which is named detoxification. To get started with detoxification for drugs and alcohol, one must start searching for a rehab center located nearest to his or her location. Call a Couples Rehab center today at 844-904-6653 .
