Detoxification is the process of removing any vestiges of an abused drug, and any associated toxins, from the body. The process is only one component of a drug treatment program, and one of the most important. The abused drugs and harmful toxins often become stored in the body?s fatty tissues. When the addict undergoes detoxification, all of these toxins are removed naturally by the body over a specified period of time. Interestingly, a similar process is used to remove unwanted toxins from the bodies of obese patients who may have stored toxins because of digestive problems. Anyone who is entering a program will undoubtedly begin their treatment with some sort of detoxification regimen that will ensure that their bodies are free from their drug of abuse before they begin the real work of counseling that leads to their rehabilitation.
What are the Differences between Drug Detoxification and Drug Addiction Treatment?
In almost every part of the United States, drug detox is an important component part of the drug rehabilitation treatment process. This important process, however, is only the beginning of the rehabilitation regimen. It is simply the process of removing toxins from the body. It cannot remove the addiction from the mind. For this reason, drug detox is never the only rehabilitative process used to cure addiction. A good detoxification program is either a component part of the rehabilitation or offers referral to programs that will provide the needed counseling and aftercare.
When first entering a rehabilitation program, most addicts will first go through the detoxification regimen, but it should always be followed by a comprehensive program of counseling and aftercare. The counseling and aftercare services provide the addict with the tools and strength to remain free from drug abuse and to do so for the rest of his or her life.
How is the Drug Detoxification put into practice?
Most drug detox Los Angeles centers follow the same general procedures in conducting their programs. The addict will go through an initial period of assessment to determine the level of addiction, and to determine if there are any extenuating mental or physical issues to consider during detox. In some cases, in caution is indicated, the addict may be directed to alternate therapies.
When all the assessments have been completed, the addict is usually placed into a facility where he becomes isolated from family, friends, and old acquaintances. He will be closely monitored to ensure that he has no access to any substances for abuse. Many centers begin what is referred to as a ?healthy lifestyle? program. Soon after detoxification, however, the addict will begin to experience the disturbing, sometimes painful, symptoms of withdrawal from the drugs.
The effects of withdrawal can be severe. For this reason supervised medical care is essential during this period. If the patient requires it, medicines will be provided during this withdrawal period to mitigate the symptoms. This withdrawal usually lasts for a little less than a week. In some severe cases, however, it can last much longer; as much as month.
What are the goals of Drug Detoxification?
The primary reason for going through the detoxification process is to remove all accumulated toxins from the addict?s body, making him or her more healthy and able to participate positively in their own rehabilitation. It removes their physical craving for the drugs and makes it easier for the addict to move onto a lifetime of recovery.
