Medical Detox Programs in Henderson, KY

Rehabilitation from drug or alcohol addiction is an extensive process, with addicts needing to engage with all aspects of a treatment program. From the initial stages of intervention and medical detox through to the later stages of behavioral therapy and relapse prevention, each element of a drug rehab program plays an important role in recovery.

Medical detox refers to the use of medications and medical staff in the treatment process, with a range of drugs used to enable detoxification and reduce the chance of relapse. Find treatment centers and learn more today by calling Drug Treatment Centers Henderson KY at (877) 804-1531.

How does Medical Detox Work?

The process of detoxification involves ridding the body of drugs and alcohol, with patients often experiencing a withdrawal syndrome as a direct result of drug cessation. Depending on the substance of abuse, medications may be used to treat pain, manage withdrawal symptoms and reduce the chance of relapse. While detox is possible without medications in certain situations, some dependencies require the extensive and long-term use of medications for pain relief and substitute therapy.

Access to doctors and medical staff is also an important part of detoxification, with complications sometimes arising due the withdrawal process. Receiving treatment at a specialized drug rehab clinic is the most effective way to detox from drugs and alcohol, with clinicians able to support the withdrawal process and guide patients toward ongoing therapy. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), effective drug treatment includes behavioral therapy and relapse prevention programs alongside detox and medication treatment.

Alcohol Detoxification

Alcohol detox is the abrupt cessation of alcohol consumption, with cross-tolerant medications often used to alleviate the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal. Benzodiazepines such as Valium, Ativan and Serax are the most commonly prescribed drugs in alcohol detox regimes, with these substances used to aid the withdrawal process and reduce the chance of relapse in the early stages. Atenolol, clonidine and carbamazepine have also proved useful in some alcoholism treatment studies, with nitrous oxide, sodium oxybate and baclofen also used by some facilities.

Drug Detoxification

Drug detoxification is the abrupt cessation of drug use, with a withdrawal syndrome typically experienced in cases of physical dependence. The stages of drug detoxification depend greatly on the substance in question, with some drugs requiring intensive medication and others not.

While the process of detoxification does not necessarily deal with the social and psychological precedents of drug addiction, most patients will be guided on to behavioral therapy and group counseling programs once they leave the detox environment. According to the United States Department of Health and Human Services, there are three distinct phases in any detox process: evaluation, stabilization, and guiding patients into further therapy.

Heroin Detoxification

Heroin is an opioid analgesic related to the molecule morphine. Heroin is an incredibly addictive drug with a severe withdrawal syndrome. Heroin detox involves an initial withdrawal period between 6 to 24 hours, with less severe physical symptoms lasting for weeks and the psychological impact of the drug lasting for months or years.

Possible symptoms of heroin withdrawal include yawning, anxiety, depression, extra sensitivity, tears, aches and pains, insomnia, chills, muscle cramps, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

A range of medications are used to manage the heroin withdrawal syndrome, with typical drugs including methadone, buprenorphine, naltrexone, diamorphine and LAAM. While many of these medications are useful for pain relief, their primary purpose is within the context of opioid substitution therapy.

Relapse following drug treatment is very common in cases of opioid addiction, with extensive therapy and counseling programs required to reduce the possibility of relapse and ensure long-term behavioral changes.