Why Medical Detox Is The Only Safe Way To Get Sober in South Florida
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Getting sober is a valiant goal. More than that, it is an achievable one, but only if done correctly. Yes, there is a right and wrong way of quitting drugs or alcohol. The wrong way relies on goodwill and determination alone. This only makes quitting hard, messy, and, more often than not – dangerous, even to the point of lethality. What is the right way to quit then? The answer to that is quite simple. Completing a medical detox is the safest way to get sober. Nowadays, clinics for drug and alcohol detox Florida houses boast a variety of ways to make achieving sobriety safe, reliable, and comfortable. So, let’s dive in and see why is it so, as well as the extended benefits of this procedure.
Detox and Medical Detox: The Basics
To understand why medical detox is the only way to get sober in South Florida, we’ll have to start from the basics. The human body has a whole array of mechanisms that allows it to fight harmful chemicals. One of them is the so-called Detoxification (a.k.a. Detoxication, or Detox, for short).
Detox refers to the body’s ability to cleanse itself from toxins, including substances such as drugs and alcohol. This process is completely natural and works extremely well – under normal circumstances. However, addiction changes said circumstances, and not in a good way.
When it comes to Substance Use Disorder (SUD), extreme amounts of harmful chemicals are introduced into the organism. A lot more than the body can handle on its own. And, so, the body does what it does best – it adapts. This “wrong” state becomes a new normal, a person develops tolerance to the drug in question, and, after a while, becomes addicted to it.
At this point, it is virtually impossible for a human body to take care of detoxification on its own. Letting it do so leads to the emergence of withdrawal symptoms that are not only agonizing but, depending on the substance used, can be dangerous to the health and psyche. In extreme cases, they can even lead to a lethal outcome. Fortunately, modern medicine came up with ways to counter said risks. Enter the Medical Detox.
What is Medical Detox?
Medical Detox means detoxification under medical supervision. Now, at its core, this definition does hit the mark. But, as an explanation, it is beyond vague and leaves much to be desired. Simply, Medical Detox Florida rehab centers offer today entail much more than that.
How does the Medical Detox process work?
Medical detox is an complex process that affects every aspect of a person’s well-being. To that end, medical professionals often split it into three stages:
- Evaluation;
- Stabilization;
- Preparation for Treatment.
Evaluation
Medical evaluation is always the first step in Medical Detox. This is a standard procedure and a part of the admission process in every rehab clinic. During this stage, doctors will do a series of tests to get insight into a person’s overall health:
- A physical exam. The doctor will do a checkup of the person’s physical state. Blood and urine tests may also be necessary, especially in more severe cases of addiction;
- A psychological evaluation. A mental health professional will ask a patient a series of questions to understand the nature of addiction and what led to it, as well as reveal underlying issues.
At a glance, said process may seem a bit over the top. However, it is absolutely necessary, for several reasons.
First, it helps clinical staff determine what type of Medical Detox a person needs – if any. That’s right, Medical Detox isn’t strictly necessary. In the case of the beginning stage of addiction, a person’s body can detox on its own. So, medical supervision serves just as a precaution. Second, Evaluation helps set up the baseline for Medical Detox treatment. With it, doctors can assess which level of care a patient needs, as well as which medications to use throughout the treatment. Lastly, Addiction is an individual disease, first and foremost. Its effects vary on a per-person basis. An evaluation allows clinical staff to tailor an individualized plan, suitable for the patient’s needs. As you can see, this first stage alone covers all the bases. Nothing is left to chance, which is exactly why Medical Detox is the only safe way to get sober in South Florida.
Stabilization
With the baseline set, the doctors will move the patient to the next stage of recovery – Stabilization. This is the bread and butter of Medical Detox. During this stage, the body starts detoxing and withdrawal symptoms emerge. 24/7 care is crucial during this time. Therefore, clinical staff will keep a close eye on the patient throughout the process to ensure they have everything they need to get them through the ordeal. Nurses will also administer medication as needed, to help mitigate the withdrawal symptoms and make the process more comfortable.
Preparation for addiction treatment
Contrary to popular belief, medical detox is not addiction treatment. Yes, it is an essential step to achieving sobriety. Some would say THE most essential step, even. However, detox alone is not enough to counter a SUD. To achieve lasting sobriety, a person will have to undergo Substance Use Treatment. For a lot of people, making this switch is often challenging and, sometimes, scary. That’s why the final stage of Medical Detox focuses entirely on helping a person make this transition.
At this point, clinical staff will:
- Inform the patient of the options drug rehab Lantana, FL centers offer and provide referrals;
- Help them choose the right inpatient detox center Florida offers (in case they wish to continue treatment as an inpatient), or;
- Assist them in creating an Outpatient Treatment Plan, if Inpatient treatment is not an option.
In short, we could say that medical detox helps the person start their journey to recovery, and leave it at that. However, since treatment is beyond important, we’ll go a bit more in-depth on the topic.
Preparation for treatment – a key feature of medical detox
Addiction is an affliction that touches everything that defines a person. Body, mind, spirit, and even their social circles – nothing is safe in the face of this vile disease. This is why addiction recovery is so difficult and why it takes such a long time. However, medical detox helps a person physically and mentally prepare for things they’ll address during rehab:
- Physical: Drugs and alcohol wreak havoc on a person’s body. Withdrawal symptoms often only exasperate the problems. However, the care of medical professionals at Florida clinics helps mitigate said issues, thus making the process incomparably safer;
- Spiritual: There’s no pretty way to put this except – withdrawal is excruciating. The agony of it can push a person back to using. But, compassionate support, round-the-clock care, and medication are more than enough to get a person through the ordeal;
- Mental: Some would argue that addiction takes the biggest toll on a person’s mental health. They are 100% right. This is why various forms of therapy are an integral part of every medical detox program. They serve to stabilize one’s mental health, so they can start addressing the underlying issues that led to addiction in the first place.
- Social: One of the most difficult steps in recovery is making reparations for the old life. It is also one of the most crucial ones. Still, making amends, regaining self-confidence, rebuilding trust – it can almost seem impossible to do. “Almost” is the key word. Psychotherapy programs, group therapies, and family therapies can give the person all the tools necessary to start rebuilding their lives.
From everything mentioned, it is easy to see how recovery is a lot of work. But, if a person knows what they’re about to face, it becomes a lot easier. More than that – it sets them on the path to success.
How long does Medical Detox take?
Due to the way addiction works, it is impossible to say with absolute certainty how long will Medical Detox take. There are simply too many factors to account for, such as:
- The length and intensity of substance use;
- The type of substance(s) used;
- Underlying mental and physical conditions;
- Overall state of the patient’s health;
- Previous rehab attendance.
And, this isn’t even a complete list – just a small excerpt. Each of these factors will shorten or lengthen the duration of detox.
The types of Medical Detox Treatments
In the beginning, we mentioned how there are different types of medical detox. Now it is time to elaborate on that a bit more. Different substances cause different withdrawal symptoms. While most of them err on the milder side, there are some that can cause lasting damage and even death. Because of this, it is imperative that the treatment is specific to the substance in question and adjusted to their current health situation. With this in mind, we can split Medical Detox treatments as follows.
Alcohol Detox Treatment
Alcohol withdrawal produces a whole host of negative effects. Hypertension, seizures, and fever are the most common ones. However, in some cases, a person can experience Delirium Tremens – a hazardous condition that can be fatal. Furthermore, medications alcohol detox Florida clinics use to treat these conditions can be dangerous and addictive if misused. Therefore, constant supervision of a medical specialist is absolutely necessary for the duration of the procedure.
Opioid Detox Treatment
In general, opioid withdrawal isn’t as dangerous as others on this list. Still, complications that cause permanent damage and death are possible. Not to mention that the experience itself is agonizing and can push the person to relapse. This is why opioid withdrawal treatment is essential. Medications can help a person get through it with the minimal discomfort.
Sedatives Detox Treatment
Detoxing from sedatives, as is the case with Xanax detox Florida centers offer, for instance, is quite a delicate matter. Sedatives are known to produce a variety of negative effects. Some of them include trouble breathing and heart issues, both of which can be lethal. Furthermore, medications used in the treatment can exasperate the problem if used in the wrong way. 24/7 monitoring, careful medication administrating, and doctor’s care are an absolute must. As such, medical detox is the only safe way to get sober in South Florida when dealing with sedative dependency.
Stimulants Detox Treatment
Stimulants are some of the most dangerous drugs out there. Also, they are some of the hardest to quit. However, the biggest issue here is that there are no known medications to help with the detox process. This is the case with every stimulant detox treatment, including:
Fortunately, this doesn’t mean that a person must suffer through the ordeal. Doctors can and will employ medication to help ease the withdrawal symptoms of stimulants. However, that also means that a patient must be under constant observation, which is best achieved via an inpatient program.
Forget the alternatives – go for the real deal
Over the years there have been many alternatives to Medical Detox. Some, such as Rapid and Ultra-Detox, have its benefits. Still, they didn’t quite cut it, as they bear a lot of risks. Others, like the “cold turkey method”, herbal solutions, and “at-home detox kits” don’t even come close. Furthermore, since they all promote detoxing without medical supervision, they remain extremely dangerous. Therefore, medical detox is the only safe way to get sober in South Florida. So, if you or someone you love wants to start addiction treatment, don’t contend with untested half-solutions. Instead, contact a reputable medical detox clinic in Florida and start the recovery in the best way possible.
