This might be as simple as visiting your healthcare professional regularly to get meds. Detox alone isn’t treatment, but it’s the first step to getting better for people who are dependent on alcohol. Everyone has different needs when it comes to treating alcohol use disorder (AUD), a condition that can be diagnosed when your pattern of alcohol use is problematic and causes significant distress. It can range from mild to severe, drug detox depending on how many symptoms you have. The consensus panel recognizes that the successful delivery of detoxification services is dependent on standards that are to some extent empirically measurable and agreed upon by all parties.

Common misconceptions about detoxing

Understanding these factors can help give you an idea of what to expect during this critical phase of addiction treatment. Find rehab for yourself or a loved one by speaking with a treatment provider. Discover affordable rehab centers near you, offering easy access and convenience. Safety during the detoxification process and the importance of continued rehabilitation is detailed by Dr. Ashish Bhatt, MD. The taper period varies depending on how long you’ve been using the drug and how much you’ve been taking.

What is the best way to detox your body?

While detox alone is not sufficient for long-term recovery, it lays the essential groundwork for further treatment. In just 2 minutes, you can speak with an admissions specialist, verify your insurance, and explore treatment options that work for you. By clicking “Submit,” you certify that you have provided your legal name and phone number, agree to the terms and conditions and privacy policy, and authorise Paid Advertiser to contact you. You consent to receive SMS notifications and promotions from Paid Advertiser. In addition to managing a successful family medical practice, Dr. Hoffman is board certified in addiction medicine by the American Osteopathic Academy of Addiction Medicine (AOAAM).

Day Inpatient Rehab in Colorado

In addition, recovery leads to reductions in crime, general healthcare costs, and expensive acute medical and surgical treatments consequent to untreated substance abuse (Abbot et al. 1998; Aszalos et al. 1999). While detoxification is not treatment per se, its effectiveness can be measured, in part, by the patient’s continued abstinence. Drug detox is the initial step in overcoming substance dependence, focusing on the safe removal of toxic substances from the body. It is a medically supervised process designed to manage withdrawal symptoms and help individuals achieve physical stability before continuing treatment. According to the 2020 National Survey of Substance Abuse Treatment Services (N-SSATS), there were 1,839 facilities in the United States providing detoxification services.

Prior to the 1970s, public intoxication was treated as a criminal offense. People arrested for it were held in the “drunk tanks” of local jails where they underwent withdrawal with little or no medical intervention (Abbott et al. 1995; Sadd and Young 1987). Shifts in the medical field, in perceptions of addiction, and in social policy changed the way that people with dependency on drugs, including alcohol, were viewed and treated.

Liver-Supporting Nutrients

Often drug detoxification and treatment will occur in a community program that lasts several months and takes place in a residential setting rather than in a medical center. Individuals with substance use disorders most commonly seek medical detox treatment when they risk experiencing withdrawal symptoms from drugs or alcohol. Along with tolerance (the need for higher amounts of a drug to achieve a given effect), withdrawal indicates that the body has become physically dependent on a substance.

Water transports these waste products, efficiently removing them through urination, breathing, or sweating. Excessive drinking can severely damage your liver function by causing fat buildup, inflammation, and scarring. “Cold turkey“ is a term used to drug addiction describe the decision to abruptly stop using a substance. However, getting rid of the addictive substance is just the first step to feeling better. Take note that there is no one detox method that is applicable to everyone. It’s best to address your unique needs by consulting your doctor or an addiction specialist.

Your doctor can assess your individual needs based on your substance use and personal medical history to create an individualized detox plan that works best for you. They can also monitor you and your withdrawal symptoms around the clock and offer assistance. A treatment center will attempt to verify your health insurance benefits and/or necessary authorizations on your behalf. We cannot guarantee payment or verification eligibility as conveyed by your health insurance provider will be accurate and complete.

Detoxing by yourself can sometimes be dangerous and is not generally recommended. Inpatient programs are the most commonly used facilities for medically assisted detox. This may seem like the easiest and cheapest way to detox, but quitting cold turkey can have serious health risks.

• If dangerous withdrawal symptoms or complications occur, it can be harder to seek immediate medical attention.
• A tapering schedule is typically customized based on the individual’s substance use history, dosage, and overall health.
• Drug and alcohol detox can be an important first step toward recovery and healing for people with substance use disorders.
• After evaluation, your team will design a customized treatment plan, which may consist of medications to ease withdrawal symptoms.
• Our Treatment Advisors are available 24 hours a day to help you or a loved one access care.
• One of the newest addiction treatment medications available today, Sublocade is a long-acting injectable form of buprenorphine.

Your intestines play a crucial role in preventing toxins from entering your bloodstream while simultaneously eliminating waste products through bowel movements. We have treated more than 80,000 patients on our mission to save one million lives. Not everyone will be ready to enter a facility the first time they visit our site. For those who aren’t, we have a resource page for best practices, harm reduction, and more. We also provide resource guides for veterans, LGBTQ, the elderly, adolescents, and college students. Whatever your goals, it’s the struggle to get there that’s most rewarding.

Don’t wait— reach out today to take the first step toward taking control of your life. The NCCIH Clearinghouse provides information on NCCIH and complementary and integrative health approaches, including publications and searches of Federal databases of scientific and medical literature. The Clearinghouse does not provide medical advice, treatment recommendations, or referrals to practitioners. Your body has a sophisticated way of eliminating toxins that involves the liver, kidneys, digestive system, skin, and lungs. Still, only when these organs are healthy can they effectively eliminate unwanted substances.