Drug Detox
The term “drug detox” has more than one meaning in today’s society, which can cause confusion and real problems for those performing a web search. In alcohol and drug treatment it is used to describe a safe and healthy way to avoid withdrawal symptoms through medical detoxification. But it can also be defined as the means used to cleanse the body with the hope of passing a drug test.
The former will be discussed here.
Drug detox will occur any time a person ceases use of a drug. Drugs are removed from the body at different rates depending on the drug and the metabolism of the individual. But if that individual is addicted to a drug, therefore physically dependent, withdrawal symptoms will accompany the detox process. In these cases, medical detoxification helps to minimize the effects of drug withdrawal and decreases the chances of relapse.
The drug addictions that most commonly require medical detoxification are heroin and other opiates, and prescription opioids and benzodiazepines. The process begins with an assessment to determine a starting dose and treatment plan for each patient. Doses are gradually tapered down each day in the drug detox center until the patient is drug free.
Detox is also available for methamphetamine addiction, although detox medications are not required to minimize withdrawal symptoms. It is helpful, though, for medical and mental health professionals to monitor progress.
Tarzana Treatment Centers provides medical detoxification for adults and adolescents with any type of drug addiction. Each patient is not only assessed and monitored by medical staff while in treatment, but is also assigned a primary addiction counselor who will guide them on the road to recovery. Mental health professionals are available for those requiring ongoing therapy or medications. Before detox treatment ends, patients are referred to residential or outpatient drug treatment for aftercare.
However defined, drug detox is good for the human body as long as the purpose is to remain abstinent from drugs. If drugs are causing a problem in a person’s life, drug treatment is the solution. And anyone with a drug addiction should seek medical detoxification. Temporarily cleansing the body rarely results in a “clean” drug test, anyway.
If you have questions about medical detoxification for a drug addiction, please call us at 888-777-8565 or contact us here.
Southern California Locations for Alcohol and Drug Treatment
Tarzana Treatment Centers has locations all over Southern California in Los Angeles County and Orange County. Other than our central location in Tarzana, we have facilities in Lancaster in the Antelope Valley, Long Beach, in Northridge and Reseda in the San Fernando Valley, and in Santa Ana.