Detox: The First Step In Drug And Alcohol Addiction Treatment

Alcohol and drug addiction detox paves the way for treatment by freeing a client from the physical effects of chemical substances. Going through this process creates a cleaner slate so that the real work of getting to the heart of the issue of addiction and why someone turned to substances to deal with stress or emotional pain can begin in earnest.

Medical detox involves helping addicts become clean and sober by providing a supportive environment during this process. Instead of giving up drugs and alcohol all at once (“cold turkey”), clients are able to wean off of them in a controlled manner. A detox program helps to keep him or her comfortable by controlling physical withdrawal symptoms.

Opiate Withdrawal Symptoms

Opiates include morphine, heroin, Oxycontin, Dilaudid, and codeine. When someone who has been using the drug for some time stops taking it, he or she will experience some withdrawal symptoms. Early symptoms may include:

  • Anxiety
  • Insomnia
  • Muscle aches
  • Sweating
  • Yawning

As the withdrawal process continues, the symptoms may change and a person may complain of:

  • Diarrhea
  • Goose bumps
  • Nausea
  • Stomach cramps
  • Vomiting

Detox centers are staffed by trained personnel who can monitor each client’s condition as they go through this necessary process. Supportive care is provided, and medications may be given to treat the anxiety, muscle aches, and cramping, if necessary.

Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms

Alcohol withdrawal symptoms usually start within hours after the last drink is consumed. They get worse over the next two or three days and may persist longer in some instances.

  • Anxiety/nervousness
  • Depression
  • Fatigue
  • Irritability
  • Mood swings
  • Nightmares

In some cases, alcoholics report feeling these types of symptoms while going through detox:

  • Headache
  • Insomnia
  • Loss of appetite
  • Nausea
  • Rapid heart rate
  • Sweating
  • Vomiting

Heavy alcohol users should not try to stop drinking all at once. Instead, they should get help from detox centers in California so that their condition can be monitored. When the condition turns into a severe form of withdrawal called delirium tremens, it can lead to these symptoms:

  • Agitation
  • Fever
  • Hallucinations
  • Severe confusion
  • Seizures

Find an Alcohol and Drug Addiction Treatment Center

The staff at Above It All Treatment Center can provide caring, supportive care to clients who are going through detox. They recognize that each person being treated at the Center needs to be dealt with as an individual, and that there is no “one size fits all” approach to treatment. The staff works up a treatment plan to address each client’s needs and goals during his or her time at the Center once the veil of chemical substances has been lifted and the focus can be put squarely on getting well.

Prescription Drug Addiction: A Growing Problem That Must Be Taken Seriously

Many people see their doctor and get a prescription for a medication, which they take as directed. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, however, approximately 20 percent of people in the U.S. have used a prescription drug for a non-medical purpose. This type of behavior can open the door to drug abuse and addiction. The fact that the medication was originally prescribed by a doctor does not make it any less serious than if the person was using street drugs.

Prescription Drug Abuse Overview

The following prescription drug abuse facts were provided by the National Institute on Drug Abuse:

  • Prescription and over-the-counter drugs are the third most commonly abused substances by Americans over the age of 14. (Marijuana and alcohol are the two most commonly abused substances.)
  • Opioid painkillers, such as Oxycontin and Vicodin, are the most commonly abused prescription drugs, followed by stimulants for treating Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (Ritalin and Adderall).
  • Sharing unused medications, such as pain relievers, with family members can contribute to drug abuse.
  • Drug abusers will crush the tablets so that they can snort the powder or inject it using a needle. This delivers the dosage into the bloodstream more quickly and provides a faster, more intense “high.”

Signs of Prescription Drug Addiction

Indications that someone may “need” a prescription drug to function include:

  • Increased dosage over time
  • Ongoing use, even after the condition being treated has healed or resolved
  • Spending a lot of time seeking medication, or visiting multiple doctors to get prescriptions
  • Change in personal appearance
  • Withdrawal from family and friends
  • Being defensive about drug use

Be alert for changes in a loved one’s behavior after he or she starts using a prescription medication. Someone who develops a pattern of complaining of chronic pain after an injury should have healed or who starts “losing” prescriptions and needs to see the doctor to get a replacement written may be dealing with a different issue entirely.

Get Help for Prescription Drug Abuse

When a problem with prescription drug addiction has been identified, it should be dealt with promptly. These medications have the potential to cause serious harm to the addict’s health or even death if he or she does not get appropriate treatment.

The staff at Above It All Treatment Center have the expertise to provide supportive help to clients who are dealing with a prescription drug issue. They will devise an individual treatment plan designed to address each person’s needs, including a pain management plan, if appropriate.