Medical Detox in Doylestown

Finding the right alcohol and drug medical detox program is vital in increasing the chance of success when battling an addiction. One of the most challenging aspects of the recovery process is detoxification, which is the process of ridding the body of toxins associated with drug use. Although this stage is not easy, unpleasant symptoms are better controlled when patients undergo a medical detox. Medical detox is a much safer alternative to quitting 'cold turkey.'

When a person is addicted to alcohol or drugs, they body develops a physical chemical dependency on the substance; during this period of dependency there are chemical changes in the brain. Due to the fact that these chemical changes are the direct result of substance abuse, attempting to quit abruptly will trigger withdrawal symptoms that can become quite severe, even fatal. This is why it is important to gain access to a program that can facilitate the detoxification process medically. Medical detox helps patients begin recovery on the right foot. Put yourself at an advantage early on, call Drug Treatment Centers Doylestown today at 215-383-2668 and get help finding drug addiction treatment centers.

Defining an Alcohol or Drug Detox

Detoxification is a natural process in which the body's metabolic process works to rid the body of all toxins, this includes the lingering controlled substance in the blood stream and fatty tissues. The speed of the process will depend on the current health of the individual. For a person who has a metabolic system that is functioning normally, the complete detoxification may only take a couple of days; however, a person with certain medical issues or a history of prolonged drug use may take significantly longer.

Medical detox is the process of using certain prescribed medications to help the body adjust to the absence of the individual's drug of choice. Sometimes the doctor may see the need for a stronger drug to minimize the chemical reaction that takes place during the withdrawal process. This not only makes the detoxification process more bearable, it can also reduce the risk of the body going into shock, cardiac arrest or stroke due to the high level of stress caused by withdrawal.

Resist the Urge to Detox at Home

There are some people who choose to detox at home; however, that is not a wise choice, for a couple of reasons. Statistics reveal that attempting to detox at home does not have a high success rate. This is primarily due to the fact that the detox process can be extremely uncomfortable and immensely painful. Most people fail because they end up using again, simply to eliminate the discomfort.

A greater reason why a person should not attempt to detox at home is the fact that it can prove to be dangerous. During the detox process, the body goes through a great deal of stress, and this stress has been known to cause severe reactions, such as cardiac arrest, stroke and other physiological reactions that can prove fatal. When detoxing at a medical facility that is designed to accommodate patients during this process, the staff will be prepared to deal with all types of emergencies.

Types of Programs

Most medical detox facilities are equipped to handle almost any type of situation, while others specialize in a specific substance. Most facilities will be able to provide alcoholism detoxes, prescription drug detoxes, heroin detoxes and even crystal meth detoxes. There is virtually no limit to the drugs that a person can become addicted to.

Withdrawal from Alcohol

Due to the fact that alcohol is a legal substance and easily accessible, very few people are aware of the dangers associated with alcohol addiction, and the subsequent withdrawal symptoms. In fact, people who have been abusing alcohol for a prolonged period run the risk of suffering from alcohol withdrawal syndrome, which can be fatal. This further emphasizes the need to have a medical support system in place.

As mentioned earlier, attempting to detox without proper treatment usually ends in relapse due to the discomfort associated with withdrawal symptoms. If you or a loved one is ready to begin this life-long journey, begin it the right way.