Medical Detox in Green Bay

A medical detox program is the gold standard for treating drug addiction. Whether the drug of abuse is a prescription medication like OxyContin or a street drug such as heroin, medical detox is a much safer alternative than quitting cold turkey. At drug treatment centers, the staff conducting the medical detox has the patient's comfort and well-being in focus at all time, and medial detox protocols are carefully tailored to each individual case. Call Drug Treatment Centers Green Bay today at 920-227-1500 to learn more about rehab centers. Some basic information includes:

What is medical detox?

When you're addicted to drugs or alcohol, the psychological and physiological dependence that develops can make it extremely difficult to stop the pattern of substance abuse. Detoxing is the process of slowly weaning your body off a substance until you are able to function without it. When medically supervised, this process involves entering a treatment facility where you can be monitored and treated around the clock during detoxification.

The detox process starts with an in-depth assessment of your situation and a physical examination that is designed to facilitate understanding of your particular addiction, mental health and general health. All of this information is used to design a compassionate, effective treatment plan that minimizes discomfort and has the greatest chances of success.

Why should someone choose medical detox?

The dangers of detoxing at home should not be understated. Most people who try to detox on their own are likely to fail before reaching a substantive stage of recovery. The physical and mental difficulties are simply too great to shoulder alone, making relapse almost inevitable.

More importantly, dangerous drug withdrawals put you at great risk. For example, attempting a 'cold turkey' approach to alcohol can lead to hallucinations, paranoid delusions, seizures, heightened body temperatures and hazardous changes in heart rhythm. Meanwhile, withdrawal from prescription drugs like codeine, Percocet and Dilaudid are linked to mood swings, vomiting, seizures, panic attacks, high fevers and a higher likelihood of suffering a heart attack. Common street drugs are equally difficult to quit, with heroin causing widespread pain and agonizing cravings, while crystal meth carries a risk of self-harm, paranoid delusions and intense anxiety. Patients are closely monitored during a medical detox, ensuring that the staff is on hand to treat any hazardous or distressing complications that develop as your body adjusts to life without substance abuse.

Detox medication

During the detoxification process, you may be given medication to ease your symptoms. For example, medical detox from opiates can be enhanced by the use of opiate antagonists like Suboxone, which provide significant relief from the pain of withdrawal.

What happens after a medical detox program?

Once you have been through the days or weeks required for proper detox, considering further inpatient treatment is a smart step. Studies show that addicts who submit to a program of group and individual therapy as part of their rehabilitation are much more likely to stay clean and avoid relapse than those who leave a treatment facility after the initial detox is over. Some people also benefit from transitioning to outpatient treatment; regularly visiting the facility (for an average of three days a week) while reintegrating themselves into their lives at the same time. Family education or family therapy also helps to establish and sustain a stronger support network.

If you're struggling with addiction and want to learn more about the safest, most effective way to detox, call Drug Treatment Centers Green Bay at 920-227-1500 and ask about your detoxification options and options for rehab centers. Your new life is just a phone call away.