What Is Medical Detox?
Medical detox uses medications to help manage withdrawal symptoms and cravings from substance use disorders. The goal is to stabilize you, reduce withdrawal discomfort, prevent dangerous effects, and keep you on track for further therapy. Addiction is complex and needs both medication and behavioral therapy to cover all its aspects.
Here are some common medications used in medical detox:
- Methadone: This binds to opioid receptors, decreasing withdrawal symptoms and cravings by blocking the effects of opioids and alcohol.
- Buprenorphine: Works like methadone but partially blocks opioid effects while still providing pain relief.
- Naloxone: Rapidly reverses opioid overdoses in emergencies to prevent death.
- Suboxone: A mix of buprenorphine and naloxone that reduces withdrawal symptoms and cravings for opioids.
- Naltrexone: Blocks the euphoric effects of opioids while offering pain relief.
These medications are part of an addiction treatment program that includes medical detox and psychotherapy. Virtue Recovery Sun City West is here for anyone ready to take back control from addiction. We offer medical detox, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and other therapies for a comprehensive recovery experience.
The Benefits of Medical Detox Services
Medical detox services provide a safer way to break your addiction and stop substance use. Quitting alone can lead to relapse or overdose, especially when withdrawal symptoms peak around 48-72 hours. If this is your first time at a treatment center, here are some benefits of a medical detox program:
Addiction Education
Therapists educate clients about the dangers of drug and alcohol use, how addiction can take over their lives, and change their behaviors and personality.
Prevents Worsening Symptoms
A detox program safely reduces withdrawal symptoms and cravings, preventing the sudden urge to relapse, which can lead to overdose due to lowered tolerance.
Developing Healthy Relationships with Peers
During medical detox, clients bond with peers, creating supportive relationships that can aid in maintaining long-term sobriety.
Encourages People to Continue Therapy
As withdrawal symptoms lessen, clients start feeling more optimistic about achieving their sober goals and are more likely to continue therapy.
A medical detox treatment program is the best way to start addiction recovery. It offers a safer path to overcoming addiction and teaches healthy coping skills to manage symptoms and triggers.