Medical Detox in Sunset Beach, California

Drug abuse and addiction in Sunset Beach, Orange county is one of the most devastating issues the city has to deal with. This scourge is not only affecting the health of substance users, but it also causes a lot of distress to families and forces the city to lose hundreds of dollars in mitigation programs.

 

Fortunately, treatment for drug dependency and addiction is available. And the first phase of treatment is known as medical detox. Individuals that have been using drugs for a significant period of time are normally exposed to toxins that are produced from the substances they use. These toxins can affect users physically, mentally and socially. 

 

 

Detoxification refers to the natural process through which the body rids itself of toxins. When this process is aided by the use of medication, special diet, clinical care and other techniques including counselling, it is usually referred to as medical detox.

Why Medical Detox is Key to Recovery

Quitting the use of any substance that you or a loved one is addicted to can present quite a challenge. Not only are you likely to experience negative withdrawal symptoms but you can also endanger your own life in the process. Here are some of the symptoms that often occur.

Alcohol withdrawal 

 

• Sudden onset of seizures
• Nausea and vomiting in some cases
• High heart rate
• A general increase of blood pressure
• Experiencing hallucinations and delusions
• Headaches
• Confusion

Sedative withdrawal

 

• Nausea and vomiting in some people
• Extreme panic attacks or anxiety 
• Grand mal seizures
• Hallucinations 
• Chills 
• High heart rate
• Increased pulse rate
• Depression
• Muscle pain
• Severe cravings

Opioid withdrawal

 

• Nausea and vomiting
• Diarrhea in some people
• Feelings of depression
• General body weakness
• Fever
• Anxiety
• Moodswings 

 

Some people may experience mild symptoms while others may have to deal with extreme cases of withdrawal. In some instances, people may suffer from short term memory, experience shortness of breath and even pass out. 

 

That is why it is important to seek professional help when you want to quit the use of substance. For one, you are likely to receive 24-hour basis care. This ensures that you or your loved one does not get overwhelmed by the symptoms that are being experienced.

 

Another reason why getting medical detox is important is that it gives the patient an opportunity to recover well. Because the individual will be staying at a rehabilitation facility, their chances of coming into contact with situations that may lead them to substance use is minimized. 

The Stages of Medical Detox

Understanding what to expect when going for detox is one of the best ways to get prepared. Below are just some of the stages involved in getting medical detox treatment.

Contact and Intervention 

The very first stage to getting medical detox involves reaching out to an Orange county drug rehab center. This will allow you to speak to a representative who will give instructions on how to proceed.

 

All interactions are kept private and confidential to safeguard the privacy of the person making contact and the individual that is struggling with substance abuse. Immediately after making contact, the representative may have to plan for intervention.

 

Because many individuals that are struggling with substance dependence or addiction do not admit it outrightly, interventions play an important role in helping them realize their error.

 

During intervention, a select group of people that are close to the person struggling with addiction are involved. These people are required to approach the individual struggling with addiction in order to let him know that they have taken a path that is causing pain and suffering.

 

Interventions normally involve people such as close friends, family members, spouses and colleagues.

The evaluation stage

Once an individual has agreed to get treatment for their condition, the process enters the second stage which mainly involves collection of relevant data. Some of the information that is compiled includes the age, gender and religious affiliation of the person in question.

 

Tests to ascertain the amount of substance in the system are also carried out. These may be in the form of urine, blood and saliva tests. Laboratory tests may also be carried out to determine if the individual has any underlying health complications.

 

The individual’s mental health and support system are also examined to find out if they are able to get into intensive detox without requiring any special care. All the information collected during this stage is used to formulate a personalized treatment plan for the patient.

Intensive medical detox stage

At this point a patient is admitted into an Orange county drug rehab center. While at the center, they have no access to drugs or alcohol, which is key to ensuring that they remain clean throughout the detox process.

 

Depending on the severity of dependence and the type of drug used, the patient may start experiencing withdrawal a few hours after admission. However, the staff at the facility ensure that the patient is as comfortable as possible.

 

They are provided with drinks such as water, lemon juice and organic juice to help speed up the detoxification. They also get to consume a carefully thought out diet to ensure they get proper nutrition while undergoing detox.

 

It is worth pointing out that symptoms of withdrawal may gradually become severe as the level of toxins in the body reduces. This may force doctors at the facility to administer alternative drugs to manage the situation.

 

Benzodiazepines, antidepressants, opioid agonists and non-opioid agonists are among some of the alternative drugs that may be put to use. These drugs help in managing pain, boost mood, keep emotions in check and even allow the patient to get some quality sleep.

 

Alternative drugs are usually given in significant doses during the initial stages of detox but are gradually reduced and stopped within a short time. Keep in mind that these alternatives are also addictive and must therefore be administered by a qualified doctor only.

The transition stage

Throughout the detox process, patients that are suffering from underlying health issues are provided with the necessary medical treatment. Individuals are also provided with counselling or therapy treatment to ensure they are able to deal with psychological issues that may arise.

 

After completing the intensive stage of detox, patients enter the transition stage. At this point the patient experiences mild or no withdrawal symptoms. They are therefore informed about subsequent stages of addiction treatment and what they can expect moving forward.

Duration of Medical Detox and Who Should Get It

People tend to confuse the duration of detox with the amount of time it takes to complete addiction treatment. The truth is that medical detox can last from 3 to 21 days. The exact period depends on a variety of factors that include:

 

• Type of drug used
• Severity of dependance
• Patient’s mental state
• Genetics
• Family history
• Duration of time one has been using a particular drug
• Progress in terms of managing withdrawal symptoms

 

Medical detox for alcohol is most likely to take 3 to 7 days,while detox for a stimulant such as cocaine can take 7 to 10 days. Opioid detox may last for up to 21 days.

 

Anyone that has been drinking alcohol or using drugs for a considerable period of time should seek help. However, those who experience withdrawal symptoms whenever they try to quit are the ones that mostly require professional detox.

Can I Detox at Home?

Many people attempt to stop using drugs or drinking alcohol on their own. This can sometimes be referred to as quitting cold-turkey. The problem with this technique is that the individual often has to deal with the withdrawal effects on their own.

 

When things start getting severe, the individual may end up succumbing to the temptation of taking another dose of drugs. Of course this is understandable, because sometimes withdrawal effects can be extremely unpleasant and painful.

 

But once an individual has attempted to quit and failed, they tend to give up and this makes it even harder for them to seek help. Another problem of trying to quit by yourself is that you may end up endangering your own life and the life of your loved ones.

 

When symptoms such as hallucination, delusions and agitation set it, it may be extremely difficult for you to stay in control. And when you lose control you may end up hurting yourself or loved ones. 

 

What’s more, stopping the use of a particular substance suddenly may cause the body to overreact and that can lead to dangerous outcomes including high blood pressure, fever, memory loss, fainting, increased heart rate and organ failure in extreme cases.

 

It is with such outcomes in mind that you need to avoid detoxing by yourself. Instead seek professional help to ensure success and safety for yourself and your loved ones.

Where Does Medical Detox Take Place?

Medical detox can take place in a variety of settings with the following being the most common.

Rehab centers in Sunset Beach, California

The most highly recommended for anyone to get medical detox treatment is in a rehab facility. That is because such a place has state-of-the-art equipment and a team of professionals to provide the best possible care.

 

At a Sunset Beach rehab facility, you can expect to get doctors, burses, therapists, religious leaders and other aids. This team of professionals work around the clock to ensure that each patient is given the type of care they need.

 

Rehab facilities usually have modern amenities to help the patient cope with the fact that they are removed from their families and friends and immersed into a new environment. 

 

Amenities such as a swimming pool, sports fields and even a gym are among some of the things you can expect to find at a rehabilitation center.

 

Such a center is responsible for planning the patient’s meals to ensure they get proper nourishment throughout treatment. Additionally, rehab facilities are often seren and laid back to give patients a conducive environment to relax and just find themselves once again.

Medical detox in hospitals

Hospitals are another option for anyone that wishes to get quality medical detox. Some hospitals have inhouse personnel to handle the care. However, there are also hospitals that may allow the patient to receive medical detox services from outside caregivers. Such an arrangement is usually necessary in case the patient is dealing with an underlying health problem and can therefore not leave the hospital.

Home based medical detox

Under this arrangement, the patient receives medical detox services at their own home. In some instances, the patient may have to provide a place for caregivers to stay. This ensures that the patient remains under 24-hour supervision.

 

However, if the patient is not dealing with severe withdrawal symptoms, the caregivers can visit the patient’s home at appointed times to ensure that the treatment is continuing as it should. 

 

The downside to this type of detox is that the patient may have a hard time resisting the temptations that often come with cravings. That can easily cause them to relapse. Additionally, the triggers of substance use may still be present in the home environment and that makes it even more difficult for the patient to stay sober.

Prison based medical detox

People who are accused or convicted of crimes can receive medical detox while in prison. The care provided in prison is often covered by the government.

Non-governmental medical care

Institutions such as churches and mosques may have their own facilities to take care of people that are dealing with substance addiction. There are also some churches that allow their members to receive treatment in their hostels or homes.

Sunset Beach Inpatient vs. Outpatient Programs 

Medical detox can be provided under two main programs. Below are some details about both.

Inpatient medical detox

Individuals that are dealing with a severe case of physical dependence or addiction are usually advised to enroll under an inpatient medical detox program. This gives caregivers the opportunity to monitor progress and recommend effective solutions to arising issues.

 

Inpatient care ensures that the patient is always at the rehab facility and this greatly reduces their chances of coming into contact with negative influences or things that may trigger substance use and abuse.

 

Inpatient care can last anything from 1 week to 90 days depending on the particular program the patient is enrolled for. It is considered the most effective routes to take when detoxing and trying to break free of addiction.

Outpatient medical detox

Individuals that have not slid too much into substance use and abuse are often enrolled under outpatient medical detox programs. This happens after the evaluation phase shows that they have the self-discipline and commitment to succeed even without necessarily being admitted into a rehabilitation facility.

 

For most people under this program, the initial stages may have them spending a significant amount of time at the rehab facility. However, they are allowed to go back home after daily sessions. The routine changes over the days and weeks as the patient’s time at the facility is gradually reduced.

The Cost of Medical Detox 

The amount of money you pay for medical detox can vary depending on the particular rehab facility you choose. The substance used, the severity of addiction and the cost of medication needed to treat underlying health issues can also play a role in determining the cost. However, based on averages, you can expect to spend anything from $400 to $1000 per day. 

 

Most Sunset Orange county drug rehab centers accept payment through private insurance programs. You can also make payments through government funded programs that include Medicare, Medicaid and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) grants.

Get Medical Detox Today

Drug dependence and addiction may seem like a challenge that is too enormous to overcome. However, the truth is that with professional help, anyone can recover from addiction. Regardless of the substance in question, there are various strategies and treatments that are sure to get you back on track. All you have to do is reach out through a phone call, live chat or pay a visit to a local rehabilitation facility.