Detoxification is essential in the recovery and treatment of drug abuse. During this crucial point of intervention, professional clinicians and medical staff will work closely with the addict to rid the individual’s body of addictive substances while still managing the emotional and physical discomforts which can arise as a result of their abuse. For many addicts, detoxification can mean several different things. In order to be sure that detox is an experience that is right for your specific drug abuse, it is important to understand what it actually is and how it differs from traditional detox methods.
Generally, detoxification is accomplished by medically supervised detoxification at a state-of-the-art facility which is either located in a hospital or a private medical facility such as a nursing home. At this point, medically supervised patients are intravenously given an assortment of intravenous fluids, which will flush the system of contaminants and ensure that bodily toxins are eliminated from the entire body. Since some people may be allergic to certain medications that are administered during detoxification, their treatment is most often limited to liquids and other intravenous therapies.
When considering inpatient drug detoxification and treatment services, many individuals prefer a more comprehensive and long term solution than just receiving intravenous fluid therapy. Long term care facilities offer inpatient detoxification programs, which allow patients to remain in the facility for extended periods of time, sometimes up to six months, while receiving inpatient drug detoxification treatments. In these programs, patients receive individualized inpatient drug detox treatment plans tailored to meet their specific needs. Long term care facilities also often offer outpatient treatment services, which allow patients to receive quick, confidential treatment services while still maintaining the privacy and comfort of remaining at home. Regardless of which option is chosen, both inpatient and outpatient treatment services are highly effective in treating drug addiction.