Withdrawal is no easy feat, regardless of which substance you are using. You can expect to experience various symptoms, ranging in severity depending on your addiction history. Knowing more about the stages of detox can prepare you for what you may go through while withdrawing from substances at addiction detox programs. This knowledge can also help put your mind at ease since detox programs provide medication and support to relieve withdrawal symptoms. Without professional treatment, you would have to get through the discomfort on your own.
Stage One of Detox Is Evaluation
Detox center programs typically begin with an evaluation by an intake specialist. After you call a detox center, they will schedule you for an assessment to evaluate the current state of your addiction and your overall health. This step helps them determine the best course of treatment for the patient’s addiction. Some standard components of a detox evaluation include:
- A physical screening to check for medical conditions
- Bloodwork to determine how much of a substance is in your system
- A mental health screening to check for co-occurring mental illness
- A substance use history, which allows them to anticipate the potential severity of your withdrawal
- Family history to get a complete picture of your genetic predisposition to addiction, medical conditions, and mental health disorders
To provide the most effective treatment, your care team needs to go through the above evaluation to gather as much information about you as possible. You may not understand why the clinicians need to know specific details. However, being cooperative and answering all questions to the best of your ability will help shape your detox treatment plan.
Stage Two of Detox Is Stabilization
Once your evaluation is complete, and a treatment plan has been created for you, you will move on to the stabilization state of detox. During stabilization, your care team will work to keep you comfortable as withdrawal symptoms begin to arise. Some withdrawal symptoms may be mild, like achiness and fatigue, so you will have plenty of opportunities to rest. Other symptoms may be more severe, like headaches, vomiting, stomach cramping, hallucinations, tremors, paranoia, anxiety, and depression. To help keep you stable during this stage of detox:
- A medical team will monitor you 24/7 to ensure your safety as you experience varying degrees of physical and mental withdrawal symptoms.
- You will be provided with medication as needed to alleviate discomfort from withdrawal symptoms.
- You may take part in addiction therapy programs as part of your treatment. These services help you manage emotional symptoms and underlying issues that contributed to your addiction.
Addiction detox programs are brief, typically between three to seven days. Therefore, the treatment you receive will not end your addiction on its own. The goal of detox is to help you get through withdrawal so you can move on to the next phase in your recovery.
Transitioning to Treatment
After the drugs or alcohol have left your system, it is time to prepare for an ongoing treatment program. Detox is the beginning of your recovery journey, but you will need long-term treatment for the best chance of success. During the final stage of detox, your care team will assess your progress and recommend continued treatment. Many treatment centers provide detox services as well as inpatient and outpatient programs. Therefore, you may be able to remain at the same treatment center for consistency. Some options they may discuss with you are:
- Residential treatment
- Partial hospitalization
- Intensive outpatient
- Outpatient
Your next step in treatment will be based on your condition after detox and the level of care you require to stay on your recovery path.
Start Your Journey to Recovery With an Addiction Detox Program
For the safest and most effective beginning to sobriety, reach out to your local trusted detox center. They can support you through the difficulties of withdrawal and guide you to your next steps in treatment.
