Everything You Need to Know About Medically Monitored Detox Treatment
Medical detox refers to an early phase in an addiction treatment process where a person’s body can rid itself of these substances under the care and constant supervision of qualified medical professionals. This allows for a safer and more stable environment for an individual to begin their recovery journey.
If you are considering seeking treatment, you may be worried about the painful or uncomfortable symptoms of withdrawal that can happen during detox. To help put your mind at ease, we are going to cover what a medically monitored detox could look like.
What Happens During a Medical Detox
24/7 Supervision from Medical Professionals
While detoxing, the patient receives constant care and supervision from licensed doctors and nurses. This ensures that a qualified individual remains available at all times in case any needs or emergencies arise.
Prompt Withdrawal Treatment
Everyone experiences withdrawals differently, and some endure more severe symptoms than others. In extreme cases where withdrawal may become life-threatening, a doctor or nurse can administer treatments to alleviate symptoms and increase the patient’s level of comfort.
Resting in a Comfortable Environment
A medical detox facility will provide patients with a comfortable and relaxing environment away from the stresses of everyday life. This allows for a calmer experience that can help maintain a more stable mood as the body rids itself of substances in its system.
Timeline for Medical Detox
There’s No Established Timeframe
Because addiction recovery is such a unique journey, the detox timeline will vary for everyone. Keeping this in mind, it is difficult to forecast exactly how long the process may take. Factors like a person’s substance of choice, the severity of their addiction, physical health, genetics, and other similar attributes may impact the time required to fully purge drugs from their body.
Admission
The first step in the detox process is going through admissions. Though each facility will have its own admissions process, this typically involves activities like recording basic personal information, examining vitals, and providing the patient with information about the detox environment.
Monitored Detox Period
After the patient is made comfortable, they will be monitored by medical professionals who can provide care and treatment as the individual goes through withdrawal symptoms. If an emergency situation arises, medication can be administered if needed.
Transition
Once the detox period has concluded, a patient can be transitioned to addiction recovery where they can continue to receive help and support from licensed professionals. If the facility offers these services in-house, the patient may be moved to another area to undergo further treatment with others.
Further Treatment
After being transitioned, a patient may undergo additional medical and/or mental health treatment to ensure a healthy recovery. In cases where underlying mental health factors may have influenced addictive behavior, a therapist will typically implement a dual-diagnosis approach to address both substance abuse and underlying factors that may contribute to these patterns.
Treatment Following Detox
Medication
Depending on the nature of one’s addiction, a doctor might decide to prescribe medication. For example, Suboxone can help people recovering from addiction to opiates, such as heroin, by blocking the body’s natural receptors and reducing cravings. This provides a more comfortable transition to sobriety as a patient resumes their life after undergoing treatment.
Mental Health Therapy
Either as a requirement for completing a program or by personal choice, many individuals continue to seek mental health services. These sessions typically focus on supporting a person’s mental and emotional wellbeing as they resume their lives free from addiction.
Medical Followups
After completing a detox and treatment program, a doctor may schedule future followup appointments. During these appointments, medical professionals may monitor a person’s progress with prescription medication or further evaluate any remaining physical symptoms from addiction or withdrawal and recommend future treatment.
Get Complete and Compassionate Addiction Treatment in South Florida
Medical detox allows people to begin their recovery journey with greater confidence that any potential withdrawal symptoms can be identified and treated in a comfortable environment. Combining compassionate care with effective treatment, a person can safely remove substances from their bodies and address the underlying causes that may impact their condition.
At Compassion Behavioral Health, we provide caring and effective drug and alcohol addiction treatment in beautiful South Florida. To learn more about starting or resuming your own recovery journey, call us anytime at (844) 999-0874 or contact us online.
