Programs include family counseling sessions, educational workshops, and structured support groups. Programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), Narcotics Anonymous (NA), and SMART Recovery provide peer support, mentorship, and a structured recovery framework. Regular attendance at 12 step meetings helps individuals stay connected to a sober community and maintain motivation for long-term recovery. Behavioral therapy plays a crucial role in preventing relapse and managing long-term recovery. Using medications to control the symptoms of withdrawal depends on the substance and severity of the symptoms. All information provided in featured rehab listings is verified by the facility officials.
Common Medications Used in Drug Detox
Yes, when conducted in a medical setting, detox is safe and closely monitored. However, attempting to detox at home can be dangerous, especially for substances like alcohol, opioids, and benzodiazepines, which causes life-threatening withdrawal symptoms. Detoxing at home is not advisable due to the risk of severe withdrawal symptoms and complications; it is best to seek professional medical supervision for safety. Building a sober future after detox involves addressing the psychological aspects of addiction through counseling, support groups, or inpatient rehab. Setting goals provides structure to the recovery process, helping individuals track progress and realize sobriety takes time and effort.
What medications are commonly used during drug detox?
They offer 24/7 care and monitoring to ensure a smooth transition to recovery. During this time, the drug detoxification treatment program helps clients gain new coping strategies, assess relapse risks, and identify triggers. Finally, the detox center staff will educate the client on what to expect from the treatment process. He utilizes positive psychology as much as possible during his counseling sessions. Positive psychology is a treatment approach that believes all people want to lead fulfilling and meaningful personal and professional lives.
- This step is unique to each patient and changes according to the intensity of their substance use.
- Your kidneys and liver need water to function, and since these organs are working overtime to detox your system, getting enough water ensures they keep functioning properly.
- ANR surpasses all traditional drug detoxes because it targets and addresses the underlying cause of opioid dependence by modulating the endorphin-receptor system.
- This step ensures we tailor the detox to your needs, whether you’re detoxing from alcohol, opioids, benzodiazepines, or other substances.
Drug and Alcohol Detox

It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers. How long drug detox takes depends on the substance used, the amount of the substance used and the length of time the person has been using the substance. It can also depend on the person’s physical and mental state when they start detox. People who are highly motivated to begin the medical detox process may be able to handle the symptoms better than people who are reluctant to quit.
The objective is to address the practical issues that can get in the way of completing a detox program. The exact medications prescribed by a physician depend on a variety of factors. Those factors include (but are not limited to) the substance used, the types and intensity of symptoms, and contributing mental health concerns. Detox is not a punishment or a consequence — it’s a major first step in the right direction.
Although these may vary depending on the drug, they are often painful and distressing. Drug detox, or drug detoxification, drug detox refers to the process of clearing drugs out of the system. This can be done naturally by allowing the body to eliminate toxins through the liver.
Many diets and supplements claim to ‘detoxify’ the body from these substances, but they are typically unsupported by research. The body ‘detoxifies’ itself naturally and doesn’t actually require special diets or expensive supplements to eliminate toxins. This can help you to stay positive, relaxed, and motivated during your detox program. Some may be covered by insurance, while others could require payment out of pocket. Support from others going through the same process can be a powerful tool for staying motivated and encouraged during drug detox.

Step 3: Holistic Support and Wellness
There is no way to “fast track” effective detox efforts, nor is there a drink that can replace the efficacy of a dedicated treatment plan or addiction medicine. Detoxing from any kind of drug or alcohol can benefit from a medical detox. Mood changes, headaches, changes in sleeping patterns, changes in perspectives, and more are common. Some medications like M35 pills are used to help people ease off of substances like opioids, but it is essential to only use these as prescribed. Medications like Acamprosate, Disulfiram, and Naltrexone are all common continuing medications used in navigating alcohol treatment and recovery even after detox has concluded. The marijuana addiction length of the detoxification process will vary depending on the individual, their unique history of use of drugs, as well as the substance being used.
- If you only consume a substance occasionally, you can expect to see little to no withdrawal symptoms upon quitting.
- Without immediate access to a doctor, you may be putting yourself at risk.
- These factors can affect how long the detox process takes and what your overall experience will be.
- The National Institute on Drug Abuse explains that substance use essentially re-trains the brain to seek out those substances.
Matt has been working in the substance abuse treatment field for 20 years. Matt is credentialed as CADC-CS (Certified Alcohol & Drug Counselor – Clinical Supervisor) through CCAPP (California Consortium of Addiction Programs and Professionals). He helped create an effective, holistic alcohol & drug treatment curriculum that has been in use at Elevate Addiction Services since 2015.
Types of Drugs
Detox often includes medications that mimic the effects of drugs to reduce withdrawal symptoms. Detox with medical supervision is an absolute must for pregnant women, as withdrawal symptoms may be especially harmful to the fetus. The goal of detox for pregnant women is to prevent relapse and manage pain. Outpatient care, also called ambulatory care, might include medication-assisted withdrawal to make the process easier. If you’re detoxing from opioids, you might get methadone or buprenorphine.
- Ultimately, drug detox should be the first step toward recovery—but not the end goal.
- In the initial assessment phase, healthcare professionals evaluate physical and mental health to tailor the detox approach.
- Unmanaged withdrawal can lead to life-threatening symptoms, necessitating professional oversight.
- Medical detox takes place at a detox facility, so you can be closely supervised and monitored by your doctor.
It’s the first step before entering structured treatment programs like residential or outpatient care. The Recovery Village has comprehensive detox programs that are tailored to each client’s unique physical and psychological needs. Each of our medical detox programs are medically supervised, offer 24-hour clinical support and mental healthcounseling, and provide a transition to further rehab programming. If you’re ready to take the first step towards recovery, consider Ritz Recovery for your detox and rehabilitation needs. Located in Los Angeles, Ritz Recovery offers a comprehensive and personalized approach to substance abuse treatment. With a team of experienced medical professionals, we provide medically supervised detox, ensuring safety and comfort throughout the process.