What Does Detoxification In Addiction Treatment Mean?

Drug addiction involves the continued urge to consume a substance, which leaves chemical substances in the body and brain of the addict. Detoxification is, therefore, the initial phase in the recovery process from drug addiction. Also known as detox, it is the process of extracting all chemical substance or toxins from the body of an addict.

Detoxification is a medical process that prepares a person to tackle the physiological effects of addiction by ensuring their physically stability. This is because due to the continued use of substances, the body becomes accustomed to these chemicals. And a sudden extraction would lead to numerous withdrawal symptoms in patients.

Therefore, detox is a process that also aims to reduce the negative effects of withdrawal symptoms. It does this by providing adequate care and medication to reduce and control the effects of withdrawal symptoms. And although withdrawal symptoms vary based on the length of addiction and type of drug abused, medical care remains vital.

More so, detox occurs within a specialized medical facility, as it is a delicate process. Research had shown that medically assisted detox by specialized practitioners is the most secure form of detoxification. It makes the detox process not only safer but also comfortable for the individual.

The detox process involves;

  • Medical assessment: this involves evaluating the physical and physiological needs of a person before the detox process begins.
  • Withdrawal symptoms management: which aims to reduce the negative effects of withdrawal symptoms through adequate medication and care.
  • Constant monitoring: each person is under 24 hours monitoring per day during the detox process.

Furthermore, detoxification runs for roughly 7-10 days. But this is subject to various factors such as the length of addiction, the level of withdrawal symptoms, etc. Essentially, detoxification is a vital first phase in the recovery journey of a drug addict.

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