Is Detox The Same As Drug Rehab?
Addiction affects millions around the world, and only a small number of those affected typically get treatment. It can be challenging to get through and usually takes emotional, mental, and physical strength for a complete recovery. Multiple resources are available to help those struggling with addiction on their path to sobriety, including drug rehabilitation and detoxification.
Most people assume that detox and drug rehab are the same things, but they are separate programs with their strengths and differences. This makes it difficult for people to choose the best program for them. Hence, the need to understand the basics of the two and their respective advantages and disadvantages to understand how both programs can help you recover fully.
Detoxification
The first step of recovery from addiction is to get off any addictive substances you are on through detox and withdrawal. This means the affected individual will have to get rid of residual alcohol and drugs from their system before starting long-term treatment. Each step of the recovery process is different depending on the person and the addictive substance used. For some people, the detox stage can take longer than others and partly depends on how long one has been using and their drug of choice. Detox from alcohol takes a relatively shorter time than detoxification from narcotics. Other people also abuse multiple substances and need to withdraw from all of them in one go. There is also usually a transition from certain abused drugs to pseudo medication to help with withdrawal symptoms. However, the patient still needs to get used to the new drugs.
Detoxification aims to manage the individual’s withdrawal symptoms safely when they stop taking alcohol or drugs. The pseudo-medications used during detox help make sure former users are comfortable eliminating the addictive substances from their bodies. For most addictive substances, it can take some time to get through the withdrawal symptoms, and some people may opt to detox at home, which can be fatal.
Quitting certain addictive substances suddenly and without any medical assistance may result in health complications such as severe dehydration or seizures. Luckily, there are both outpatient and inpatient detox programs to prevent any harmful issues in the process. Anyone with a severe substance abuse problem must go for inpatient detox as withdrawal symptoms may be deadly. Inpatient detox offers around-the-clock monitoring and support.
Different kinds of detox programs are available, and they can modify them to suit the person’s requirements and specific situation. There are two common kinds of detox: at-home detox and medically supervised detox. You can choose either depending on the severity of your addiction, the duration of using the addictive substance, and the substance being used. A medically managed detox program has several advantages, including a comfortable and safe setting with 24/7 care from medical professionals to minimize any bad influence or distractions. When your body is dependent on a drug or alcohol, it can be potentially tricky to break this dependency. Hence, having medical personnel available to support and supervise the process can help with symptom management, nutritional support, and consistent care. They can even assist in administering the replacement medications to help the individual deal with the uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms. Once the patient’s body becomes stable, they can proceed to rehab, and if need be, the medical personnel will recommend added personalized treatment options. Not everyone who finishes a detox program moves to drug rehab. However, research indicates that the longer someone goes through addiction treatment, the better their odds of maintaining lasting sobriety.
Drug Rehab
Suppose the individual is not physically dependent or the addictive substance they are taking does not need detoxification. In that case, they can start their recovery directly with drug rehab, also called residential or inpatient treatment. Addiction affects one’s spirit, body, and mind, and drug rehab is a recovery program that helps deal with addiction’s emotional and psychological impact. Drug rehab treats the hidden factors that might have led to the addiction initially. It also helps change negative habits developed into better coping skills enabling you to maintain recovery from addiction and sobriety. Most drug rehab programs aim to heal the body, mind, and spirit to promote overall wellness in the recovering individual. Such drug rehabs offer a holistic approach to addiction treatment and are better at helping one regain mental, physical, and spiritual health. Holistic programming allows you to learn healthier life habits and necessary self-care. Recovering individuals in drug rehab typically work on improving communication skills and building good support networks. This helps in repairing any relationships that were destroyed because of the addiction. Rehab programs can also include family counseling, group, individual therapy sessions, and effective stress management mechanisms. Some rehab programs also have exposure to arts or exercise programs to offer some variety in the recovery process. Aside from their substance abuse problem, patients with co-occurring disorders can also get psychiatric services in drug rehab.
Most drug rehab programs are provided in residential treatment facilities, but there are outpatient alternatives as well. Residential or inpatient addiction treatment is usually stricter because the patient stays at the treatment center throughout. However, such programs have a better success rate in treating addiction because one has to completely invest in the recovery process. Drug rehab programs usually have various evidence-based treatments and therapies to give the patient their best chance of recovery. The duration of most drug rehab programs ranges from 30 to 90 days. Studies also indicate that patients are more likely to avoid relapse the longer they commit to a rehabilitation program. The length of one’s stay also depends on the individual’s addiction severity, commitment to the rehab program, and the recovery process.
Detox and drug rehab differ, and each focus on different goals in the addiction recovery process. Each has its limitations and strengths, but most people have found that combining both programs provide the best treatment.