Medical Drug Detox In Colorado
Detox is the first, preliminary step towards substance use disorder treatment following the initial intake interview.
During intake, the person suffering from substance use disorder tells the doctor or counselor about substance use disorder, what, how much, how often, and why they use drugs. Detox should commence soon after.
Detoxification is when an individual stops using drugs and allows them to leave the body. In a rehab setting, detox occurs under medical supervision to prevent harmful or life-threatening side effects from cold-turkey withdrawal.
The detox process of detoxification can take days or weeks, depending on whether medication-assisted treatment is used to slow down the process so the client can detox gradually and safely with minimal withdrawal pains.
First Stage of Drug Detox
Once the body has developed a tolerance to drugs, to stop taking them will begin the process of withdrawal. Withdrawal symptoms range from mild to dangerous based on the level and length of dependence or addiction. Some of the most common withdrawal signs and detox symptoms include:
- Anxiety
- Agitation
- Aching muscles
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Insomnia
- Muscle cramps
- Excessive tears
- Yawning
- Sneezing
- Sweating
- Lack of appetite
- Feeling hot and cold
- Involuntary bristling of hairs
- Rapid heartbeat
Although these symptoms aren’t life-threatening, they can be quite uncomfortable.
Methods of Drug Detox
Each person who suffers from substance use disorder has different needs. The method of drug detox depends on the person’s history of substance use disorder, the family’s medical history, and the duration of addiction to a substance. Short-term and long-term detox may use medication-assisted treatment to help ease the symptoms of withdrawal and ultimately overcome drug abuse.
Inpatient detox is recommended for those who have severe cases of drug abuse. Clients are admitted to a facility for the duration of their rehab treatment. Inpatient or residential detox assures around-the clock-medical help for clients.
Compared to outpatient detox, the inpatient detox has a higher rate of detox completion. However, since inpatient drug rehab requires the admission of the client at the drug facility for a certain period, it costs more than outpatient detox.
Managing detox at home without the assistance of a medical professional can be done, but it is risky and in some cases could even be fatal. The success rate for home detox is lower, too, which lowers the chance for successful recovery considerably.
Drug Detox Kits Aren’t a Complete Treatment Program
It isn’t safe to detox at home without help, but neither is it safe to rely on so-called home drug detox kits, detox drinks, and detox pills. Not only are they ineffective without the guidance of a medical professional, but they may be dangerous. Drug detox is just part of a comprehensive treatment program designed to increase an individual’s chance to cope with addiction.
Most people who use a home detox kit are trying to pass a drug test, not end their drug abuse. That shouldn’t be the goal of detox.
Without an assessment of the individual’s medical history and scope of drug addiction, self-detox can worsen existing health conditions. That’s why successful and safe drug detox must be customized to the needs of the client, and followed by therapy sessions and aftercare.
Drug Withdrawal Symptoms
Withdrawal symptoms and the duration of drug withdrawal during detoxification depend on the type of substance used by the clients and how long they have been addicted.
- Withdrawal from opioids, such as heroin and prescription painkillers, can cause flu-like symptoms that last about a week. The symptoms appear within 12 hours of the last dose of short-acting opiates, 30 hours for long-acting opiates. For methadone, withdrawal symptoms appear within 24 to 36 hours.
- For stimulants, such as cocaine and methamphetamine, the withdrawal symptoms, including cravings, sleep disorder, and paranoia, usually, start 90 minutes after the last dose. The symptoms could last from seven to 10 days.
- Marijuana withdrawal symptoms can be milder than other drugs. Once an individual stops using marijuana, withdrawal symptoms — such as irritability, aggressiveness and sleep disturbance — appear within a week.
- “Bath salts,” a cheaper replacement for cocaine and methamphetamine, have withdrawal symptoms that can be observed after 48 hours and sooner than a week. Symptoms include intense cravings and an inability to feel pleasure.
- Ketamine withdrawal symptoms appear within 24 hours after the last dose was taken. The acute withdrawal symptoms like hearing loss, rapid breathing, nausea, and depression can last for 72 hours.
