Plano - Medical Detox
Medical detox describes the experience and process of drug withdrawal under medical supervision. Medications are often used during medical detox to suppress withdrawal symptoms, with doctors and medical staff on hand at all times to observe patients and ensure a safe and effective recovery. While detox does not necessarily address the precedents of drug addiction, it is required to enable drug discontinuation and get people ready for the rehabilitation process.
Medical detox clinics are available around America, with some facilities also offering extensive rehab and aftercare services. To learn more about different forms of drug treatment and centers, call Plano Drug Treatment Centers at (877) 804-1531.
Medical Detox Treatment by Withdrawal Type
Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome
The alcohol withdrawal syndrome is experienced when an alcohol dependent person stops or dramatically reduces alcohol consumption. A wide range of physical and psychological symptoms are possible, with the severity of withdrawal related to the extent and length of addiction.
Typical withdrawal symptoms include:
- Sweating
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Agitation
- Seizures
- Delirium tremens
- Shaking
The alcohol withdrawal syndrome is normally managed with medications, with benzodiazepines such as Valium and Serax the most widely used drugs. While most people will experience a time-limited withdrawal syndrome lasting from a few days to a few weeks, a protracted or post-acute withdrawal period is likely in certain situations.
Alcohol discontinuation can be dangerous and even fatal in some cases, with residential support recommended in most cases. Psychotherapy and counseling should always follow alcohol detoxification, with relapse prevention also important in any comprehensive rehabilitation regime.
Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome
Opioids are often used medically for pain relief purposes, with illicit and prescription opioids also widely abused for their euphoric effects. Common opioid drugs include heroin, morphine, codeine, oxycodone, hydrocodone, methadone and buprenorphine.
Opioid dependence or opioid use disorder is a medical condition and reaction to opioid addiction, with a range of physical and psychological withdrawal symptoms experienced when opioid use is stopped. Tolerance and physical-somatic withdrawal symptoms develop from extensive opioid use and discontinuation, with an emotional-motivational withdrawal syndrome also experienced.
Common early symptoms of opioid withdrawal include:
- Agitation
- Anxiety
- Fatigue
- Insomnia
- Mental confusion
- Lack of motivation
- Muscle aches and pains
- Dehydration
- Restless legs
- Sweating
- Yawning
- A skin-crawling feeling.
Typical late symptoms of opioid withdrawal include:
- Dilated pupils
- Abdominal cramping
- Diarrhea
- Goose bumps
- Vomiting
- Nausea
Long-term opioid addicts are also likely to experience protracted depression as a result of drug discontinuation, with psychotherapy and counseling required on a long-term basis to treat the underlying causes of drug addiction. Medications are often used to treat opioid withdrawal, with opioid replacement therapy sometimes required on a long-term basis.
Meth Withdrawal Syndrome
Methamphetamine is not physically addictive in the same way as heroin or alcohol, with an emotional-motivational withdrawal syndrome likely upon cessation of use.
Typical methamphetamine withdrawal symptoms include:
- Anxiety
- Intense drug cravings
- Increased appetite
- Increased or decreased movement
- Dysphoric mood
- Fatigue
- Lack of motivation
- Changes to sleeping patterns
- Vivid or lucid dreams
Withdrawal symptoms are closely associated with the degree of dependence, with long-term addicts more likely to experience severe symptoms. While no medications have proved to be completely effective for the treatment of meth withdrawal, fluoxetine and imipramine appear to be somewhat effective. Meth addicts may suffer from long-lasting mental issues when they stop using the drug, with more severe depression experienced than that of cocaine withdrawal.
If you or anyone you know is living with addiction, it's important to contact a medical detox clinic as soon as possible. Get help finding centers today by calling Plano Drug Treatment Centers at (877) 804-1531.