Drug Detox

Drug Withdrawal Symptoms

by Jonathan Huttner

Drug detox, or drug detoxification, is a complex process. Each person comes into drug detox with different drug tolerances and varying degrees of tolerance for discomfort. Drug detox begins with the goal of ridding the body of toxins accumulated by the drug abuse. This part of the drug detox process is when the patient will experience drug withdrawal symptoms.

Withdrawal is "the discontinuation of the use of an addictive substance, and the physiological and mental readjustment that accompanies such discontinuation." Of course there are varying degrees of uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms associated with drug detox. These symptoms are due in large to the type of drugs used, amounts used, length of use, etc. In addition, it is not uncommon for those with drug addictions to have parallel addictions to alcohol as well. Regardless of the drugs being used, or additional parallel addictions, drug detox is the process that applies to any individual who is addicted and wishes to begin recovery. It is a complex process that takes commitment and treatment within a facility that understands the drug detox process. In many of these facilities, the dispensing of specific medications is incorporated into the treatment plan to help diminish the uncomfortable drug withdrawal symptoms.

Drug Detox Services

As mentioned above, seeking professional help during the drug detox process is extremely important to an overall, long-lasting recovery. Drug detox services are provided in a variety of ways depending upon where the addiction treatment is received. Many drug detox centers simply provide medical treatment in an effort to help individuals manage the physical withdrawal from drugs. Ideally, an effective detox program will also incorporate addiction treatment counseling and therapy. It is important that both the physical and emotional well-being be treated during the drug detox process.

Drug Detox Programs – The Different Approaches

Drug detox programs tend to run the gamut from weekend retreat houses to elaborate and incredibly expensive drug detox suites. The key for any drug detox program lies in its ability to provide safe and effective management of any drug withdrawal symptoms and the medical or psychiatric problems that may present themselves. Drug detox should take place in a medically-monitored setting, complete with 24-hour nursing, a medical director trained in addiction medicine and an addiction treatment staff capable of intervening with the patient experiencing withdrawal symptoms. With all of this in place, drug detox can best be accomplished and result in long-lasting recovery.

Jonathan Huttner is one of the founders of Lakeview Health Systems, which has treated over 7,000 people from throughout the United States. Jonathan has been involved in the field of addiction and eating disorder treatment for the last 25 years.