Therapist and client discuss what to expect in medical detox

What to Expect in Medical Detox

If you are nervous about going through detox, you are not alone. Plenty of people have had bad experiences during withdrawal, and many were not able to continue abstinence because the symptoms were too severe. However, that does not mean you are stuck in addiction. A medical detox center can help you get through withdrawal safely and comfortably. Learn what to expect in medical detox to build confidence in your ability to recover fully from substance use disorder.

At Promises Behavioral Health, we understand that the fear of going through withdrawal can make you want to avoid getting clean. We want you to know that you do not have to feel trapped in addiction. Our medical detox centers will provide you with qualified staff, medication, and therapy to help you get through withdrawal once and for all. Reach out to us today at 844.875.5609 with any questions about medical detox.

What to Expect in Medical Detox

If you have never gone through detox before, you may think you have an idea of what it is all about based on television, movies, or stories from people you know. Do not let the bad experiences shown by Hollywood or other people impact your perception of detox. Quality medical detox centers help make the withdrawal experience much more comfortable and set you up for a healthy recovery.

Here is an idea of what to expect in medical detox:

  • You undergo an intake assessment, which involves answering questions about your health history, your family’s history of substance use, and your drug or alcohol usage.
  • Your treatment team, which might consist of physicians, nurses, and counselors, discusses your evaluation and what type of detox treatment plan would be best for you.
  • You are monitored around the clock as withdrawal symptoms set in to ensure your safety and comfort.
  • Staff provides medications as needed to minimize your discomfort and reduce your cravings for drugs or alcohol.
  • Some detox programs may also have you start therapy sessions to discuss thoughts and behaviors that contribute to substance use.

A medical detox center is only the first step in your recovery. Its primary job is to support you as the drugs or alcohol leave your body and keep you comfortable and focused on getting better. Detox typically lasts about one week. After that, your next step should be enrolling in an addiction treatment program that may last between 30 to 90 days.

What Are the Side Effects of Detoxing from Drugs or Alcohol?

Before starting the detox process, it is best to understand the symptoms you may experience as drugs or alcohol exit your body. This can help prevent you from panicking or getting anxious about side effects that are completely normal during detox. Keep in mind that a medical detox center can help keep these to a minimum with medication.

Some typical side effects of detoxing include:

  • Excessive sweating
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Upset stomach
  • Mood swings
  • Muscle aches
  • Difficulty sleeping
  • Paranoia
  • Hallucinations

For some people, these symptoms may be mild. However, if your addiction is severe or you have been using substances for many years, the side effects of detox may be more challenging. Enrolling in professional medical detox can make symptoms manageable so you can stay on your path to healing from addiction.

Promises Behavioral Health: Safe, Professional Medical Detox Centers

We hope that we have helped put your mind at ease about going through detox. Promises Behavioral Health operates medical detox centers throughout the United States that provide you with the latest in addiction therapy and medication. Call us today at 844.875.5609 to learn more about our locations and which may best suit your recovery needs.

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