Few people know that there are actually professional Orange County drug rehab facilities that offer treatment for substance addiction. This treatment often begins by a process called medical detox. A closer look at this process is key to understanding why it is an integral step to recovery.
But first, a look at the consequences of drug and alcohol abuse and addiction.
The Ugly Side of Substance Abuse
When an individual drinks alcohol or takes drugs often, they are bound to start experiencing some negative effects. These are detailed below.
Effect on body and organs
Body organs such as the heart, kidneys, liver and lungs play an important role in keeping the human body functional. The heart pumps blood, the lungs help in breathing while kidneys and the liver help get rid of toxins from the food, the drinks and even the drugs that people use.
When too much toxins are in the body they can overwhelm these organs and cause them to develop injury or even to fail and that can be fatal. In fact, even taking little amounts of alcohol and drugs can have a negative effect on these organs through the process of time.
Another aspect of substance use that may cause complications regards the manner in which an individual takes drugs. Those who inject drugs into their veins using a syringe and needle have to repeat this process several times in a day or week. This inevitably causes soft tissue damage and may end up leading to partial paralysis due to frequent puncturing of muscles.
In the same way those who take substances by way of snorting or sniffing end up compromising the tissues in their noses. Eventually such individuals may end up developing breathing problems or lose their sense of smell. They may also have to deal with a constant running nose.
Overdose and death
Drug overdose occurs when an individual takes too much of a drug and the body gets overwhelmed with the [potency of the drug. This can lead to various problems including fainting, chest pains, difficulty in breathing, muscle pains, abdominal pain, convulsions and irregular heart rate.
People who overdose on drugs must be rushed to the emergency unit of the nearest hospital for quick help. However, this does not always happen and unfortunately some lose their lives to drug abuse.
Social impact
As an individual continues to take drugs, they eventually start changing. They may become arrogant, easily irritated and violent. They may also develop unethical behaviors including stealing and engaging in unsafe sexual practices.
These issues tend to take a toll on close friends and family members and may cause a rift to develop. As a result, the substance user is likely to be shunned by his or her loved ones. This may mean severing relationships and even breaking up families.
Professional and academic impact
Individuals that abuse drugs eventually develop problems when it comes to their academics and professional life. Students may end up missing lessons and failing to meet minimum scores due to a lack of concentration. In some instances, the institution may end up expelling such students.
An individual that is running a business or one that is employed may end up compromising their career by repeated drug use. Such an individual may end up missing appointments, sleeping during working hours and even failing to meet set goals. Eventually they may be fired from their jobs.
Spiritual and mental impact
Individuals that use and abuse drugs eventually get to experience problems when it comes to their spiritual life. They tend to feel inadequate and may develop feelings of guilt. Additionally, substance use can end up affecting the brain and this may compromise mental health.
With the above consequences in mind, it is easy to understand why taking the initiative to receive medical detox as the first step to recovery treatment is key
Understanding Medical Detox
When a person repeatedly uses drugs and alcohol, they inevitably start developing a physical dependence on the particular substance. This means that their body re-adjusts in a fundamental way to cope with the presence of the foreign substance.
When this happens, the person finds it quite difficult to stop using substance. That is because they are bound to experience various withdrawal symptoms whenever they try to stop using substance. Additionally, those who decide to quit use abruptly may end up risking their own lives. That is why medical detox is important.
Medical detox is a process in which professional doctors, therapists and other rehab personnel help individuals get rid of drugs and other toxins from their bodies. These professionals provide medication, ideal diets, a conducive environment and timely psychological skills for the patient to recover as quickly and as safely as possible.
When a person takes cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine or any other illicit substance, it generally has a negative impact on their body. The toxins produced from such substances often remain in the user’s body for a given period of time.
For instance, a small amount of cocaine can stay in the human system for a period of 1 to 4 days. However, tests can detect cocaine in the system for several weeks for certain people. The exact period of time it takes for the body to get rid of cocaine depends on how often one uses it and the amount they take.
Alcohol on the other hand stays in the human system for two to three hours. However, tests can detect it in the breath, urine or blood for up to 24 hours. With that said, it is worth pointing out that illicit substances often contain a mixture of chemicals and unknown substances.
Such unknown content may remain in the body for a prolonged period of time. The damaging effects of drugs and alcohol also continue to linger and may lead to health complications for the substance user.
It is with such information in mind, that you need to realize how important medical detox is. Remember that medical detox takes place under the watchful eyes of professionals that include doctors, therapists, nurses and counsellors.
A Closer Look at the Process of Medical Detox
Having a closer look at what happens during detox can help you understand why it is an important process in recovery. The first stage of medical detox is often quite sensitive and seemingly tasking for the patient. It is at this time that they are likely to experience a lot of mixed emotions and physical effects. That is why personnel at the rehab center pay close attention to the patient during the initial hours of detox.
1. Getting rid of toxins
One of the main aims of detox is to ensure that the body gets rid of toxins that may be causing complications. This is done by ensuring that the patient does not have any access to alcohol or drugs that may cause intoxication.
That is why it is highly advisable for patients to get this treatment at an Orange county drug rehab. Such an environment is serene and has nothing that may cause temptation to the patient.
By stopping further use of the substance, the body naturally starts getting rid of the drug and toxins in the system. This often happens by way of sweating, urinating and passing stool.
To facilitate quick detox, nutritionists at the rehab center are likely to recommend personalized diets to speed up the process. Water, natural lemon juice and fruit infused tea are among some of the drinks that may be provided.
Foods such as cruciferous vegetables, nuts, apples and other natural products are likely to be recommended. The rehab facility ensures that the patient does not consume a lot of genetically modified foods because they are rich in chemicals and may delay the process of detox.
2. Dealing with withdrawal symptoms
As time goes by, the patient’s body is likely to start experiencing withdrawal symptoms. That is because the chemical makeup of their system starts to change and therefore different organs and functions start working in a different way.
The result of this is that the patient starts developing unsettling symptoms. These may include the following:
- Muscle pain and stiffness
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Abdominal pain
- Confusion
- Headache
- Hallucination
- High blood pressure
- Irregular heart rate
- Irritability
- Disrurbed sleep
- Sweating
- Heart palpitations
- Panic attack
- Cravings
- Short-term memory loss
In extreme cases, patients may start experiencing symptoms such as delirium, fever and seizures. The severity of withdrawal often depends on a variety of issues. These may include:
- Type of substance abused
- Length of time spent abusing the substance
- Method of use (snorting, smoking, injecting or swallowing)
- Mental health issues
- Medical factors
- Family history and genetics
- The amount of substance used each time
Because withdrawal symptoms can be quite uncomfortable and may sometimes pose a threat to the life of the patient, doctors often administer a variety of medications to manage the condition.
Benzodiazepines
These drugs often work almost instantly. They have therapeutic effects on the human body and that is why they are usually an excellent option for managing some withdrawal symptoms.
Over the course of time, doctors decrease the amount of benzodiazepines they administer and this helps the patient’s body to adjust in such a manner that withdrawal symptoms do not become overwhelming.
These drugs are often helpful in managing symptoms such as seizures, anxiety and panic attacks. They also help in muscle relaxation and boost better sleep patterns.
Opioid antagonists
Naloxone and naltrexone are the most commonly used drugs in treatment of addiction. They are effective in dealing with substance overdose and also help in managing the pain that often occurs when an individual stops using certain drugs. Another effect of these drugs is that they help reverse respiratory depression and therefore let the patient breathe better.
Antidepressants
Antidepressants are drugs that help in balancing the chemicals of the brain called neurotransmitters. These chemicals are responsible for controlling mood and emotions. Doctors administer these drugs to help improve mood, better sleep patterns, increase appetite and ensure better concentration.
Other types of drugs
Other types of drugs that can be used to manage withdrawal symptoms during medical detox include opioid agonists, non-opioid agonists, and partial agonists and antagonists.
3. Treating ailments and disorders
Because some patients may have underlying health issues, it is imperative for doctors to provide the appropriate medical care to deal with the issues that arise. For instance, an individual that may be infected with HIV must be put under antiretroviral therapy.
Medical care ensures that the patient is able to go through the process of medical detox without necessarily having to bear the brunt of underlying health issues. Additionally, therapists or counselors are able to provide the much needed psychological care for those who may have underlying mental conditions.
4. Physical comfort
One of the most important things to ensure during this period is that the patient is as comfortable as possible. That is because the patient may go through frequent changes that can include sweating and chills.
By providing a conducive environment at all times, the rehab personnel ensure that the patient is not overwhelmed by the changes that occur. In case the patient vomits or sleeps in an uncomfortable position, staff at the facility immediately act to get things back to the best possible conditions.
5. After the intensive phase
The first few hours of detox are often the most strenuous for the patient. Depending on the severity of addiction and substance in question, some patients may experience discomfort for up to one week. However, after the successful completion of this period, things are bound to get a lot easier. The best part is that the patient is never alone.
Passionate and compassionate rehab workers are always on hand to provide any assistance that may be required to make the process as quick and as painless as possible. There are also other patients within rehab centers that offer support which helps in motivating others to overcome their addiction.
Where Does Medical Detox Take Place?
Understanding the settings under which a substance user can receive medical detox treatment is key to choosing the best way forward.
Drug Rehab Centers in Orange County
One of the best places to get medical detox treatment is in Huntington Beach drug rehab center. Such a facility has the right facilities to help just about anyone to recover. Most centers have in-house doctors, nurses, therapists and even religious leaders. Together, this team of personnel come up with the most effective and personalized treatment plans to ensure that their patients get well as soon as possible.
Hospital medical detox
Individuals that are under treatment for other ailments may be advised to get medical detox at a hospital. This allows doctors to treat their medical condition while at the same time detox specialists help them get rid of the toxins that may be causing even more complications.
Some hospitals may have in-house specialists to help with detox. However, they also allow their patients to bring in their own preferred team of professionals to help deal with the detox aspect of treatment.
Home medical detox
Another option for getting medical detox pertains to residential treatment. In such a case, the patient is allowed to stay at home and have the team of specialists visit their home as needed. Patients who are severely affected by drug abuse and addiction may be required to provide space for specialists to stay at the particular home. This makes it easier for these professionals to monitor the patient at all times.
How to Identify the Best Orange County Drug Rehab
To ensure that you or a loved one gets quality medical detox, it is imperative to know how to identify the best drug rehab for treatment. Here are some tips to help you make the right decision.
Payment
Before settling on any rehab, find out their policy on payments. By getting in touch with a representative from a rehab, you can find out if they accept insurance as a method of payment. You can also learn about the insurance types that are accepted and the amount you will have to pay for your treatment.
Length of the program
It is a good idea to find out how long you will be at the rehab during the medical detox process. The duration of time may differ but generally it depends on severity of addiction and the type of substance in question.
Credentials of staff members
A careful look at some of the staff members in the facility should help paint a picture of the kind of care you or a loved one is likely to receive. It is wise to choose a rehab center that has reputable personnel who hold impressive qualifications in their various fields.
Other important issues
- What detox method is utilized (social vs. medical)?
- What is the price of the program?
- What amenities and services are offered?
- Are rooms private or shared?
- Does the treatment team help patients transition into addiction treatment?
Access to top treatment centers