The Process Of Detoxification Explained

Drug detoxification is a set of interventions meant to control drug intoxication and withdrawal. The goal of detoxification is to remove the substance of abuse from the patient's body. The process of detoxification is meant to lessen the physical effects of addictive substances. Psychological aspects, social factors, and behavioral issues that come with drug addiction are not necessarily treated through detoxification.

Drug detoxification reduces and relieves withdrawal symptoms of drug users while helping them adjust to a life without drugs. Drug detoxification is meant to be an early step in long-term treatment, it is not meant as a full treatment. Medication is one form of treatment in detoxification buy you can choose to be drug free throughout the detoxification. Generally drug detoxification and treatment lasts several months, takes place in a residential center, and is held through a community program.

Three Steps To Success

The evaluation step is the first step in the drug detoxification process. In the evaluation process patients are tested to determine what substances are in their bloodstream. Evaluation also determines the amount of the substances that are inside of the bloodstream. Lastly, patients are tested for co-occurring disorders, dual diagnosis, behavioral issues, and mental issues.

Stabilization is the second of the three steps in detoxification. The stabilization process guides patients through detoxification. To get through this, patients can use medication or they can choose not to, however, it is more common that patients will use medication to help them through the process. Through stabilization patients are told what they are to expect when they go through the treatment and recovery process. Occasionally family members or people who are close to the patient will be asked to come in to show their support and become involved.

The third and final step of detoxification is the process of guiding patients into treatment. Through this process patients get prepared to face the actual recovery process. Through this stage a patient agrees to complete the process by enrolling into a drug rehabilitation program.

Another form of detoxification is known as rapid detoxification. Rapid detoxification usually takes place in a hospital and is conducted with the use of a general anesthesia. Rapid detoxification is meant for opiate based substances like heroin, vicodin, methadone, and any prescribed narcotic pain killers. Rapid detoxification is generally overseen by certified anesthesiologists and nursing staffs that are specialize in similar procedures. While a patient is under anesthesia they are given medications that accelerate the physical reactions of the withdrawal process that can last up to six hours.

Becoming drug free is a difficult process, but through drug detoxification you will be on a road to recovery. Drug detoxification is just the start of becoming clean though; it will prepare you for the future and lessen the physical effects of substance abuse but there is more than that to becoming drug free. Once you've made it through the three steps of drug detoxification it is best that you go through drug rehab if you really want to get off of drugs. Becoming drug free can take quite a long time but in the end it will be worth it.

Article Source: http://www.articleselections.com

Learn more about Detox and Alcohol.

Please Rate this Article

5 out of 54 out of 53 out of 52 out of 51 out of 5 

Not yet Rated