Drug Detox Explained: A 3-Step Process to Getting Clean
When you’re showing signs of drug abuse and addiction, detox is usually the first step towards addiction recovery. Whether you’ve been court-ordered, encouraged by a loved one, are experiencing withdrawals, or just want to get clean, detox is an important starting point in addiction treatment. However, abruptly “quitting cold turkey” can result in lethal, life-threatening withdrawal symptoms. That’s why it’s crucial to undergo a medically supervised detox program with a certified medical provider.
But we also understand that you may not have had the process of drug detox explained properly, and this can be nerve-wracking, especially when detoxing for the first time. You may only know about drug detox from what you’ve seen on TV or heard in passing from others in recovery. Not knowing what to expect can hinder your chances of success, and we know that this can prevent you from feeling ready, confident, and prepared for recovery.
Master Center has over a dozen certified medical providers with years of experience in helping thousands of patients detox from drugs successfully, and they’ve laid out the entire process to help you be prepared.
Remember, though, that drug detox should be viewed as the first step towards recovery, and true long-term sobriety requires a combination of therapy and peer support. Our goal is for you to be safe, confident, and successful in your detox program under a medically supervised program, and we hope that having drug detox explained will help you achieve those goals.
Drug Detox Explained in 3 Steps
The first thing to know is you should never quit drugs “cold turkey” and always detox under medical supervision, whether in an inpatient or outpatient rehab center, hospital, or dedicated detox center. Master Center offers outpatient drug detox programs for alcohol, opioids, benzos, heroin, Kratom, and other substances with an experienced addiction medicine provider.
With that, our specialists divide drug detox into 3 main stages:
- Evaluation
- Stabilization
- Preparation
Once you’ve gone through these steps and a medical provider has deemed you medically stable, you can enter where the true long-term recovery begins with counseling, therapy, peer support, and more treatment options.
Stage 1: Evaluation & Assessment
The first step is an evaluation from a medical provider on whether drug detox is necessary. During an assessment, trained medical providers conduct drug tests, measure your drug concentration, and identify co-occurring mental or physical disorders. This evaluation ensures that medical professionals choose not just whether you need to detox, but what process is best, and the treatment plan needed.
Providers look for the presence of drug withdrawal symptoms, which can include:
- Anxiety and restlessness
- Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
- Cramps and body aches
- Sweating and fevers
- Hallucinations
- Seizures
- High blood pressure
- Rapid breathing
Drug withdrawal symptoms can be lethal, so be sure to call 9-1-1 if they’re severe, and never try to mitigate withdrawal on your own.
Stage 2: Medical Stabilization
The second part of the detox process involves alleviating dangerous withdrawal symptoms using comfort medications or starting medication-assisted treatment. The most important part of detox is your safety, so after the evaluation, a medical provider will prescribe the necessary medications to treat the withdrawal.
Providers often use a drug called buprenorphine for opioid addiction, which is a crucial part of not just detox but long-term recovery maintenance. During detox, providers may prescribe medications to reduce cravings and alleviate dangerous withdrawal symptoms. Some common medications include Suboxone, Sublocade, and Brixadi.
Research shows that detox without medication is associated with higher relapse rates, and it’s a lifesaving piece of drug detox. So, remember to take the medication as prescribed during your detox program, and it’ll be a safer and more comfortable experience.
Step 3: Preparation for Detox & Continuing Treatment
Once you’ve undergone your evaluation and started your medication, the final step is to prepare for the drug detox process. This part includes scheduling your follow-up appointments, check-ins, outlining the risks of not following the treatment plan, and setting guidelines for detox.
For instance, at Master Center, our outpatient detox program requires you to have a buddy present during your detox, agree to safety terms, and schedule necessary check-in appointments with your provider. At an inpatient center, this may look different, but the process still involves getting you set up for success.
Additionally, this stage can also be where you set up your ongoing treatment plan with your provider, such as getting set up for your Intensive Outpatient Program, group therapy sessions, medication maintenance, or other options. Regardless, the most important part of drug detox is your safety, and this preparation stage works to ensure that piece is met.
Drug Detox is Just the First Step to Recovery
As we’ve mentioned, drug detox is the first step to recovery, but it isn’t the only part. True recovery takes time, effort, and multiple components working together to give you the chance of a better, substance-free life. Detox just gets the drug out of your system, but it doesn’t repair your relationships, teach you lifelong coping strategies, or provide the personal support you need.
Having drug detox explained will help you be prepared for that first step, but it’s up to you to continue that success through a comprehensive, ongoing treatment plan. Master Center has consultation appointments with a medical provider to get you started with detox and create an individualized recovery plan that’s right for you.
So, now that you know how detox works, schedule an appointment with us and get started on your own road to long-term recovery as soon as today.
About Master Center
Master Center is a groundbreaking addiction treatment program headquartered in Glen Allen, Va. Based on a vision of comprehensive outpatient care, Master Center was launched in 2016 and now includes locations throughout the Commonwealth.
Master Center offers a coordinated, multidisciplinary approach rarely seen in the outpatient setting, staffed by experienced addiction physicians, psychiatrists, counselors, therapists, and peer recovery coaches.
