Taking the First Step to Recovery
Are you or a loved one struggling with alcohol or drug addiction? Have you tried to quit multiple times without success? You could benefit from treatment at an inpatient detox in Washington such as Discover Recovery. The multidisciplinary healthcare team at what is arguably the best detox in Washington State can help you achieve long-term sobriety. Read on to learn why home detox can be dangerous and what is involved during fast detox. Also, find out how detox centers in Washington can help you regain your life.
What is Detoxification?
Detoxification or detox is typically the first step in treatment for substance use disorders like alcoholism or drug addiction. This phase of addiction treatment at detox centers in Washington consists of withdrawal management, i.e., providing medical care and psychological support to clients who are experiencing withdrawal symptoms after they stop using drugs and alcohol. Once the client has been stabilized and is completely off drugs and alcohol, they are progressed to the next stage of recovery, which consists of behavioral therapies and medication management.
It is worth noting that although detox is an essential step in addiction treatment, by itself, detox is not sufficient to ensure lasting sobriety. People who complete inpatient detox in Washington but do not enter a rehab program afterward have a high chance of relapse to drug and alcohol use.
Nonetheless, detoxification is essential to reduce discomfort and ease withdrawal symptoms as well as ensure the patient’s safety. Do you know why detoxing at home can be dangerous?
Dangers of Home Detox from Drugs and Alcohol
The advantages of home detox seem obvious. It is a tempting option for people who feel the cost of addiction treatment is unaffordable or for people who lack access to effective rehab programs. Also, there is sometimes a social stigma attached to seeking treatment for substance abuse at detox centers in Washington. Home rehab can be completed at no cost and without anyone finding out.
For this reason, many people feel they should quit using drugs or alcohol cold turkey at home. However, abrupt cessation of alcohol or drug use at home without medical supervision can have dangerous consequences. This is especially true when an individual has been using drugs or alcohol for a long time and has a severe addiction.
During detox at home, various medical complications can occur, such as severe withdrawal symptoms. For example, a life-threatening condition called delirium tremens can occur in recovering alcoholics. Without medical supervision and intensive care from doctors and nurses, these symptoms can be potentially fatal. Even symptoms that do not appear serious can lead to major health complications. For instance, diarrhea and vomiting can lead to severe dehydration and low sodium levels. In a supervised medical setting, such as the Discover Recovery inpatient detox in Washington, any complications that occur during detox can be managed by the medical team.
Another risk of home detox is that the chances of relapse are extremely high. This is because unsupervised detox at home means drug users and alcoholics still have access to these substances. During withdrawal, the drug cravings are tremendous, often leading to relapse. Besides, there is a risk of fatal drug overdose if a person starts using again.
Discover Recovery, the best detox in Washington State, is staffed by an experienced team of board-certified physicians and registered nurses. The team has extensive experience in managing withdrawal symptoms, reducing the risk of relapse, and giving you the best chance of lasting sobriety.
What is Fast or Rapid Detox?
Many people are motivated to quit drugs and alcohol but are fearful of withdrawal symptoms, which prevents them from seeking help at detox centers in Washington. It is not unusual for clients to want a fast detox that is as painless as possible. To this end, a new type of detoxification method has been developed, which is called fast detox or rapid detox. This can be performed in people with an addiction to opioids (prescription pain medications and the illegal drug heroin).
Fast detox involves detoxification under anesthesia. The person is sedated and the discomfort associated with withdrawal is removed. The duration of the detox is reduced to less than 8 hours, during which the client is quickly transitioned off opioids.
The advantage of rapid detox is that completion rates are high and patient comfort is maximized. However, this type of detox is expensive and is not typically covered by insurance. Also, the long-term efficacy of fast detox is questionable. Moreover, it is not safe in people with polysubstance abuse (abuse of multiple drugs can complicate anesthesia).
What is the Duration of Inpatient Detox in Washington?
There is no way to predict how long inpatient detox in Washington will take for a client. Each person is unique and requires an individualized treatment plan. The length of detox depends on the type and severity of the addiction, the method of use, and the presence of co-occurring physical and mental health conditions. For this reason, the best detox in Washington State customizes detox to the needs of the patient. As a general guideline, the following list indicates the usual detox duration for various drugs:
- Heroin: 5-10 days
- Methadone: 15-20 days
- Xanax and Valium: 4-8 weeks
- Methamphetamine: Up to 5 days
- Cocaine: 3-5 days
- Alcohol: 7-10 days
- Marijuana: 7-14 days
Benefits of Treatment at Detox Centers in Washington
Detoxification is a challenging part of recovery because the client experiences uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms and strong drug cravings. The chances of relapse are highest at this time. That’s why Discover Recovery has developed an effective program for inpatient detox in Washington. Our medical detox program is designed to treat sub-acute withdrawal following cessation of alcohol and drugs. Once the client is stabilized, they are ready to move to the next phase of recovery.
The multidisciplinary team at Discover Recovery uses medications to manage the physical and psychological symptoms during withdrawal. Symptoms like nausea, vomiting, muscle aches, anxiety, insomnia, and restlessness are treated with appropriate medications. Prescription medications like benzodiazepines may be used to manage severe symptoms like seizures, agitation, and delirium. What’s more, the clinical team at Discover Recovery, one of the best detox centers in Washington, provides holistic care with hydration, vitamin supplementation, and a nutritious diet to support the body.
In summary, the difference between home detox and inpatient detox in Washington is improved safety, greater patient comfort, better completion rates, and reduced chance of relapse with the latter.
Finding the Best Detox in Washington State
When you’re looking for the best detox in Washington State, you should ensure the facility is staffed by board-certified physicians and registered nurses. The team should have experience in treating the kind of addiction you’re battling. The inpatient detox in Washington should customize the treatment plan to meet your needs and use holistic treatment techniques.
We do all this and more at Discover Recovery. If you or a loved one requires detoxification services, call us today and start the journey to a new life.
