Detox Programs

Detox can be the first step of any drug or alcohol addiction recovery process. Regular long term use of drugs and alcohol creates profound changes in a patient’s brain and body chemistry. That is why detox is the first step to detoxify the body from these toxic chemicals and their byproducts. There are different types of detox programs available such as outpatient detox programs and ultra rapid detox programs.

The most effective detox is inpatient detox program carried out under supervision of medical professionals. There are some important points that should be checked before checking in for a drug detox or alcohol detox program:

1. The hospital or location of the treatment must be accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (J.C.A.H.O.).
2. 24 hour medical assistance and availability of qualified staff to handle any challenges associated with detox programs or withdrawal symptoms.
3. The physician who is responsible for conducting detox must be a certified detox professional by American Society of Addiction Medicine (A.S.A.M.)
4. The treatment center, its facilities, its professionals and staff should be capable of assessing an individual and determine the ongoing rehabilitation requirements.
5. Holistic services, nutritional arrangements and expert counselors should be available on the spot.

Addiction is dangerous to the body and mind but stopping addiction without any guidance or medical preparation can be more dangerous to the health and even the life of the patient. Even during treatments a great care taken for withdrawal symptoms like headaches, tremors, sweats, anxiety, depression, seizures and convulsion.

To address such situations, inpatient alcohol or drug detox programs are advised to the patient with chronic addiction history. Using a detox program is no longer a painful experience.

Care must be taken while detox is administered on a patient and the available staff should be able to dispense the detox on a fraction of moment’s notice if any abnormal reaction is noted in the patient. Detox is the initial step in the recovery process and is meant to provide medical stabilization only and should not be viewed as a rehabilitation program.