Complete Detox

“Detox” is short for detoxification. It refers to the way your body rids itself of harmful substances, referred to as toxins.

Alcohol and many drugs are considered toxins. Your body responds to them the same way it does to other toxic substances: it tries to eliminate them, tries to restore damaged tissue, and attempts to achieve its healthful, pre-toxic state.

You can try to “detox” by yourself, but the majority of such attempts fail. Withdrawal symptoms, which can be extremely powerful, are the chief problem. Supervised detox, in a controlled environment, is safer and generally more successful (meaning fewer relapses) than going it alone.

When you complete a supervised detox program, that doesn’t mean that you have eliminated all toxins from your body, or that your cravings will disappear. A detoxification regimen prepares you for what follows: rehabilitation (or “rehab”) program, which in turn can help you get back to a normal life. Detox takes place naturally all the time, as your body constantly gets rid of “waste” materials from the digestion process, cell growth and repair, and also toxins that you absorb from the environment. When you stop taking the drug or alcohol you’re addicted to, your system commences detoxification and simultaneously begins expressing symptoms of withdrawal. The effects can range from mild to severe.

The vast majority of addicts who try a “cold turkey” withdrawal without professional help give up and go back to taking the drug, according to government figures. Assisted detox helps them safely deal withdrawal, and eases the discomfort and pain they feel. A good detox program follows a proven regimen, including a comprehensive plan for the particular drug involved. Therefore it is not a “one size fits all” solution. Each person’s combination of metabolism, DNA, and health situation is unique, so a well-conceived detox program is personalized. It features medical procedures and diet to ensure a safe, relatively comfortable experience.

Inpatient detox requires living for a time at a detox facility that includes medical supervision around the clock, in a setting designed to feel residential (unlike a hospital). This includes well-appointed private rooms, comfortable common areas, and dining rooms with good, healthful food. The care is personalized, so patients get the right medically-supervised drugs or natural substances, in the correct dosages, to help with withdrawal symptoms. If complications arise they are addressed immediately.

These are the main reasons why inpatient detox is more successful than go-it-alone approaches. Depending on a person’s individual circumstances, detox can take 6 to 14 days to complete. Since the process includes the assurance of constant medical attention and added comfort, inpatient detox is widely preferred over other methods.