Drug detox refers to the clearing of addictive substances from the body. It is the process of removing toxins from a person dependent on an addictive substance. Detox aims to manage and minimize physical harm during the process of acute withdrawal.
The Oklahoma Department for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (ODMHSAS) requires all facilities operating as a substance disorder treatment center to obtain licensing from the department. The ODMHSAS ensures that facilities providing substance abuse rehabilitation service complies with the provisions of the Oklahoma Statute Title 43A on Mental Health Law. Also, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) provides programs, information, and policies to advance substance abuse treatment within communities.
Drug detox is the first step in recovery from substance dependency. However, drug and alcohol detox alone is not sufficient in achieving long-term recovery as it only addresses the patient's substance abuse. Effective treatment for substance dependence must address other medical, mental, social, and psychological problems in a patient. Therefore, a successful treatment for substance dependence must include addiction treatment after a drug and alcohol detox to return the patient to substance-free independent living.
The detox timeline varies based on the substance of dependence. For instance, the SAMHSA stipulates that the average detox time for heroin is four to seven days, while cocaine detox may last for three to four days. In reality, however, other factors determine how long a patient may stay in rehab during drug detox. They include:
The manner of ingesting the drug determines how long a patient stays in rehab. For instance, inhaling or injecting an addictive substance circulates into the body faster than swallowing. Therefore, persons who administer an addictive substance orally will have a shorter stay in rehab than an individual who injects them.
How much of the drug the individual consumes can affect the length of stay in rehab. Frequent drug use can lead to a massive amount of addictive substances in the body, leading to a lengthier stay at a rehab treatment center. Again, persons dependent on drugs for an extended period will have an extended stay in rehab compared to an individual with a shorter history of substance abuse.
Generally, addictive substances have various chemical compositions resulting in how long they stay in a person's system. For instance, while it takes about three to four days for cocaine detox, detox from cannabis may last up to several weeks.
The drug detox for persons using more than one addictive substance is complex, typically requiring extra care to combat the adverse effect of each substance. Therefore, a person who consumes multiple addictive substances will have a longer detox process than an individual dependent on a single addictive substance.
The presence of an underlying medical condition such as mental health or diabetes can affect a patient's stay in rehab as the detox process can adversely affect the co-occurring condition complicating the treatment. The SAMHSA addiction treatment guide recommends a long-term, comprehensive, phased, and concurrent treatment for persons with co-occurring conditions. Therefore, most persons presenting multiple medical conditions during a drug detox will have a lengthier stay at the rehab center.
Factors such as gender or age may determine how long a patient takes to detox from an addictive substance. For instance, women appear to have an extended stay in rehab due to a higher chance of life events such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), sexual abuse, panic disorders, victimization, or an eating disorder. Also, in an ideal situation, a younger person without co-occurring medical conditions would have a reduced stay at detox than an older person if the same conditions apply.
According to the SAMHSA report on admission and discharge for substance use disorder, the average time it takes for alcohol detox in Oklahoma is ten days. However, other factors can increase or decrease the timeline for alcohol detox. They include the sex, age, severity of the addiction, multiple substance abuse, and co-occurring medical conditions.
A drug and alcohol detox aims to help persons with substance dependence get the treatment that meets their specific needs. A professional drug and alcohol detox center in Oklahoma incorporates the following into their detox process:
During the evaluation process of drug detox, the clinical professional conducts a detailed assessment of the patient's physical and mental health conditions. The initial evaluation includes testing and measuring the concentration of addictive substances in the patient's bloodstream.
Also, the detox center screens the patient for co-occurring conditions and obtains a comprehensive review of the patient's medical history. Furthermore, the detox center evaluates the medical, mental, and social situation of the individual to determine the best course of treatment after detox.
The outcome of this assessment forms the basis of the patient's treatment plan. The clinical professionals draft a personalized detox treatment plan with the appropriate level of care.
The objective of stabilization is to prevent harm to the patient during detox while ensuring that the patient achieves mental and physical stability. Here, rehab specialists use medical and psychological therapy to assist the patient from intoxication through withdrawal to a substance-free state.
Treatment professionals may prescribe medication during the process to reduce the withdrawal symptoms. Later during stabilization, the rehab experts also acquaint patients with what to expect during treatment and their role in the recovery process.
The withdrawal symptoms patients experience depend on many factors, including the type of substance consumed. Although, different addictive substances may have similar side effects.
The withdrawal symptoms exhibited by a person undergoing alcohol detox include restlessness, agitation, lack of appetite, hand tremors, increased blood pressure, elevated heart rate, nausea, excessive sweating, insomnia, poor concentration, hallucinations, and seizures.
A person detoxing from anabolic steroids may experience one or more of the following withdrawal symptoms: Fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, depression, restlessness, reduced libido, headaches, hair loss, acne, rapid weight gain, high blood pressure, delusion, impaired judgment, extreme mood swings, and aggression.
Patients dependent on ecstasy usually have depression, anxiety, cravings, paranoia, agitation, insomnia, fatigue, loss of appetite, memory problems, and difficulty concentrating as withdrawal symptoms during detox.
The withdrawal symptoms for persons with a long history of inhalant dependence include delirium, weakness, depression, weight loss, insomnia, psychosis, hallucinations, hand tremors, and poor memory. Other withdrawal symptoms reported for persons with milder addiction to inhalant includes runny nose, excessive sweating, headaches, dizziness, anxiety, poor memory, and restlessness.
When a person dependent on ketamine stops taking the drug, the individual goes through the following withdrawal symptoms: Confusion, loss of motor skills, rage, nausea, insomnia, delusion, fatigue, hearing loss, decreased respiratory function, and cognitive impairment.
The most frequent withdrawal symptoms reported for marijuana and hashish drug detox are restlessness, irritability, anxiety, sleep disturbance, depression, aggressive behavior, and loss of appetite. Other withdrawal symptoms may include sweating, elevated heart rate, tremors, headaches, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and fever.
Nicotine is a highly addictive substance, and the majority of users experience these withdrawal symptoms following a nicotine detox: Depression, anger, insomnia, anxiety, frustration, restlessness, headaches, fatigue, dizziness, decreased heart rate, coughing, difficulty concentrating, mouth ulcers, increased appetite, weight gain, constipation, and nicotine cravings.
Persons detoxing from opioids can experience the following withdrawal symptoms: high body temperature, high blood pressure, insomnia, muscle aches, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, irritability, sweating, goosebumps, elevated heart rate, anxiety, and abdominal cramps.
PCP are hallucinogens, and they present the following withdrawal symptoms during the substance detox: increased agitation, fear, irritability, sweating, headaches, muscle breakdown, seizures, elevated body temperature, diarrhea, tremors, restlessness, hyperactive eye movements, and hallucinations.
The withdrawal symptoms of detoxing from the sedative and hypnotic substances range from anxiety, excessive sweating, insomnia, nausea, and vomiting to hallucinations, illusions, tremors, and seizures.
The known withdrawal symptom of a stimulant detox includes depression, fatigue, insomnia or hypersomnia, anxiety, paranoia, poor concentration, increased appetite, inability to feel pressure, drug cravings, and suicidal behavior.
Anxiety, anger, mood swings, increased substance cravings, confusion, tremors, enlarged pupils, sweating, salivation, goosebumps, insomnia, exhaustion, muscle aches and cramps, elevated heart rate, and fever are the known withdrawal symptom from detoxing from Vicodin.
Yes, it is possible to detox at home. However, it is dangerous. Worse still, home detox can lead to a medical emergency that reduces the quality of your life. Detoxing at home involves quitting the use of addictive substances without the care and treatment of licensed professionals. Also known as quitting cold turkey, home detox is unsafe and uncomfortable, especially for patients with co-occurring medical conditions.
Medical professionals do not support detox at home because of the known risks. For instance, patients have a higher risk of relapse or overdose due to the lack of expert care and supervision during the detox. Detox requires medication and care to manage withdrawal symptoms. Therefore, patients should speak to a medical expert to understand the best drug detox treatment option that suits their needs.
It is the swift removal of drug and alcoholic substances from the body over a short time, usually within a few hours. In a rapid detox program, the treatment center sedates the patient and uses medication to quickly remove addictive substances from the body.
Rapid detox, unlike normal detox, bypasses the substance withdrawal pain and discomfort while taking the user from substance dependence to sobriety within hours.
Rapid detox, although appealing, has numerous unpleasant side effects. The potential side effect reported during a rapid detox include:
Furthermore, rapid detox is more expensive than normal detox due to the cost associated with hospitalization, sedation, intensive care treatment, and 24 hours supervision. Also, because insurance companies do not deem rapid detox medically necessary, they do not cover the cost.
Detox is the first step in the continuum of care to sobriety. After a drug detox in Oklahoma, a patient may choose from the following options to continue with their recovery:
MAT involves using approved medications, counseling, and behavioral therapy to treat drug addiction and sustain recovery. MAT aims to block the euphoric effect of addictive substances, relieve carvings, and regulate body function without feeling the negative repercussions of the addictive substance.
After a drug and alcohol detox in Oklahoma, a patient can enter a MAT program. Most addiction centers adapt the treatment regime to suit the need of the patient to ensure they maintain their sobriety.
After completing a detox program, a patient can continue recovery in an inpatient or partial hospitalization treatment program. Both programs aim to remove the pressure of adjusting to the real world and provide a safe environment for patients to continue with recovery. Patients can also expect to receive substance abuse counseling, therapy, medical supervision, and peer support registering for either program.
Inpatient treatment programs require the patient to live in the hospital or treatment facility for a period and best suit patients with severe withdrawal symptoms. Patients return home after daily treatment in a partial hospitalization program.
IOP is suitable for patients with mild to moderate withdrawal symptoms after drug detox. The treatment center modifies the treatment to suit the patient's needs and schedule. IOPs offer group therapy, individual counseling, support group meetings, case management, and life skills training. Some IOPs offer training to address substance abuse and relapse prevention; others proffer training that covers job placement and interview skills.
Patients receive substance abuse counseling up to 9 hours weekly. Although intensive, IOPs are flexible as patients receive treatment and return to their other obligations. IOPs provide a substance-free environment and equip patients to face a life of sobriety.
Outpatient treatment programs offer patients the opportunity to receive addiction recovery treatment while continuing their daily responsibilities. Most Oklahoma outpatient treatment programs provide clients counseling, therapy, support group sessions, drug abuse education, life skills training, and medical assistance.
Outpatient treatment programs are less intensive than an IOP and are best for individuals with mild withdrawal symptoms after detox. It provides a convenient, less restrictive, and affordable treatment program for patients.
Oklahoma sober living homes are private residences that offer safe and substance-free living arrangements for individuals to continue with recovery after detox. Sober living homes help residents transition from intense addiction to self-sufficiency.
The sober living program offers resident therapy, individual counseling, peer support, and support group meetings. Sober living programs benefit individuals without a supportive and substance-free home living environment. Oklahoma sober living programs provide a community of individuals recovering from addiction to maintain their sobriety.
If you or a loved one is battling substance dependency, you can get the help you need to start your recovery into sobriety. You can get a comprehensive list of licensed drug and alcohol detox centers close to you. The Oklahoma Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (ODMHSAS) makes available a search tool where you can access the phone number, address, website, and services offered by the detox centers.
You can also call the ODMHSAS Reach-Out hotline at (800) 522-9054. The helpline runs 24 hours daily, providing referrals and information for substance abuse issues.
Likewise, you can contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) for information on substance abuse treatment by calling the helpline at (800) 662-435. The helpline opens 24 hours daily, and the representative can refer you to the local substance abuse treatment facilities closest to you. The call is free and confidential. Alternatively, you can access licensed drug and alcohol detox centers using SAMHSA's treatment center locator. The locator contains the detox facility's contact details, the services offered, and their location.