Detoxification, or drug detox, is the first step in addiction treatment for many people. In most cases, this process involves the cessation of a person’s drug or alcohol use in order to remove all traces of drugs or alcohol from their body. In order to successfully complete this phase of recovery, it is vital for patients to undergo the process under medical supervision.
Attempting to quit “cold turkey” or without medical assistance is extremely dangerous, and can result in severe withdrawal symptoms that could be life-threatening. Some of these include seizures, heart attacks, or extreme dehydration. It is also possible for someone to experience psychological withdrawal symptoms, such as thoughts of harming themselves or becoming violent. These conditions can also be made worse if a user is experiencing co-occurring mental health problems, such as depression or anxiety.
Many drug addicts try to detox on their own in an effort to overcome their addiction, but this can be very dangerous, especially for individuals who have a severe substance abuse problem. Trying to quit drugs or alcohol suddenly or without medical help can cause serious and often uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms, which are much more likely to be fatal than if the individual were under medical supervision. It is best to seek out a medical detox program that can provide 24-hour care and support, and offer the necessary medication to manage withdrawal symptoms.
The first step in a medical detox is an evaluation, where an expert will gather information about the patient’s history of substance abuse and addiction. This will be used to develop a personalised detox plan that will cater to the individual’s needs. The evaluation will look at a variety of factors, including the severity of the addiction, the route of administration (snorting, smoking or injecting etc), and if there are any other underlying health issues such as co-occurring medical or psychiatric conditions.
Once the detox process has begun, the medications and therapies that were prescribed during the initial evaluation will be implemented to assist with the withdrawal. These may include medications such as benzodiazepines to ease anxiety and clonidine to reduce nausea. The goal of the detox is to help a patient reach a point of medical stability, where they can then begin the long-term addiction treatment process.
Effective drug detox programs link the medical stabilisation of patients with entry into a comprehensive addiction treatment program. This helps to prevent the revolving door of detox and withdrawals, saves money in the long run, and delivers the appropriate level of care that patients need. This TIP builds upon the work done in previous TIPs, and expands on key concepts such as the distinction between detox and treatment, and describes the challenges and performance measures in establishing a high quality detox service. The document is intended to be a reference for those who design, deliver or evaluate drug detox services.
