Abstaining from drinking alcohol is the first step to recover from alcohol addiction fully. For optimal results, it’s vital to undergo a medical or holistic alcohol detox program. Alcohol detoxification, also known as “detox,” is the process of cleansing the body of its alcohol content. In some instances, an individual may need to go through alcohol detox to stop drinking for good and would consider the differences between detox vs rehab.
Alcohol detox is the process of removing alcohol and its byproducts from an individual. Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant, which affects brain function. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism states that alcohol withdrawal occurs when the blood alcohol content falls below a certain threshold. Withdrawal generally occurs in about eight to 10 hours for people who consume alcohol over many days or weeks.
The word “detox” refers to removing not just alcohol but also other toxins from the body. Alcoholic detoxification usually begins as soon as possible after the person has stopped drinking and ideally should occur within 24 hours of stopping drinking. However, it may take several days for all of the effects from alcohol withdrawal to subside and further support. This method utilizes a combination of medications and therapy to help you through withdrawal symptoms.
Typically, a person in need of an alcohol detoxification treatment will go to a hospital or a special clinic to get the help they need. Since the environment plays a significant role in alcoholism, it is best to go away from daily routines and triggers that could lead to drinking again.
Detox Vs Rehab: Which One is Right for You?
Many people who have been dependent on alcohol are not even aware of it. Alcohol and drugs’ toxic nature and addictive qualities slowly consume their lives while subconsciously moving further away from those that mean the most to them.
At some point in time, most people who abuse alcohol or drugs realize that they have a problem. Sometimes words like rehab or detox are thrown around, but what does this mean? Rehab vs. detox can be very confusing, so here is an article with more insight into the debate.
If you have been taking drugs or alcohol regularly, the first step towards sobriety is detoxification. Destructive drug habits can leave you feeling mentally and physically wrecked, and it takes time to recover fully. The best way to detox from all types of substance abuse is through addiction treatment facilities. Not every kind of rehab, however, is equally effective for everyone.
There are several factors you must consider when deciding whether or not to seek professional detoxification and rehabilitation.
- Examine your addictive substances of choice
- The length of time that you have been taking drugs or drinking
- The severity of your addiction
We recommend attending a substance abuse facility for the most accurate diagnosis possible to have your alcohol or drug use and withdrawal symptoms thoroughly tested. Your test results should allow your addiction treatment professional to determine if you have a physical dependence on drugs or alcohol, acute intoxication symptoms, and the extent of your substance abuse.
Why Do you Need to Have Medically Supervised Detox at a Rehab Center?
If you’re dealing with drugs or alcohol, choosing a safe and effective detox center is the first step in your addiction recovery process. It’s essential to get treated at a rehab center where medical professionals are available to supervise your withdrawal and provide you with the necessary medications to ease the symptoms of early sobriety.
At a detox center, nurses will monitor vital signs, provide 24-hour nursing care, and offer therapies that help curb cravings, alleviate drug and alcohol withdrawal symptoms, and help restore motivation for recovery. Onsite physicians are also on hand to prescribe medications to prepare patients safely for treatment.
Symptoms of Alcohol Withdrawal
Symptoms of alcohol withdrawal are varied and can range from mild to life-threatening. Alcohol withdrawal symptoms often include anxiety, high blood pressure, insomnia, hallucinations, and delirium tremens (the DTs). Depending on the length of time a person has been abusing alcohol and the amount consumed, withdrawal symptoms can be mild or severe. In severe instances, they can be fatal.
- Anxiety
- Shaky hands
- Headache
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Insomnia
- Sweating
- Tremors
- Increased heart rate
- Irritability
- Confusion
Medically supervised detox at a rehab center allows administering prescription or over-the-counter medications that will help safely manage withdrawal symptoms while under medical and nursing supervision. Having medically supervised detox at a rehab center ensures that your physical needs are met, and you have a personalized detox diet so that you’re able to focus on recovery.
Outpatient Rehab for Addiction Treatment
If you have chosen to seek treatment for drug addiction, there are many different treatment options to choose from. The first thing that someone has to do is determine if they are ready for treatment. Many people only go through the outpatient program but never finish because they are not prepared. To be successful at rehab, you will need to be committed and want help with your addiction.
Outpatient treatment program involves seeking substance abuse treatment through programs that offer the same benefits and services but in a less intense way. This form of drug addiction treatment is most suited to those committed to their recovery but want to do so in a sober environment for certain hours each week.
Outpatient drug rehab is for people who want to get clean and sober but do not want to stay in a treatment facility for weeks or months. Outpatient rehab offers the same type of programs and therapy as inpatient rehab, but it is given on a part-time schedule. For instance, some outpatient drug rehab programs have the client attend sessions from 9 am until 5 pm Monday through Friday. The client then returns home each day after sessions to rest and prepare for the following day.
A patient in an outpatient rehab program for drug addiction can lead an everyday life and have many support systems during treatment. The goals of outpatient rehab are to reduce the severity of one’s dependency on drugs or alcohol and strengthen one’s relations with family members and friends.
How to Choose the Best Rehab Center?
Any alcohol or drug rehabilitation program aims for you or your loved one to stop using drugs and alcohol permanently. One of the most important decisions for anyone considering treatment is finding the right addiction center for their needs.
Many choices exist for treatment centers, but how do you determine which one is best for your needs? Various factors go into making a final decision, such as insurance benefits, location, and cost.
- Specialties
- Treatments and therapies
- Amenities
- Location
- Length of program
- Cost
The drug rehab center can be a place where the patient gets their life back. This can help him to find a life again and to live it happily. Patients should therefore make sure that they choose the right drug rehab center. They should make sure that they choose the rehab center which will help them get rid of their addiction with passion.
Making A Choice
At Opus Health, we provide a complete range of inpatient addiction treatment programs to help transition you onto the next phase of recovery. All therapies are combined to address each patient’s physical and emotional needs, from detoxing and drug rehab or alcohol rehab for alcoholism to inpatient programs.
We allow you to find what works best for you with various specialty modalities and therapies to choose from. Our center is equipped with state-of-the-art equipment, treatment beds, showers, lockers, and all other amenities as we work with every single patient to help them recover from whatever brought them into our care.
Our focus on providing a holistic approach allows each client to address core issues that may have contributed to their substance use disorder while building coping skills, support groups, and cultivating healthy routines. Call Opus Health today at 855-953-1345 and get access to a premium level of care.
