What are the Features of a Medically Supervised Detox?
There are many medically supervised detox center features that set them apart from less rigorous detoxification settings. Let’s look at some of these features.
24-Hour Emergency Response Team
Medical emergencies are common among individuals undergoing detox. Hence, they require quick action. The staff at Icarus Behavioral are always ready to attend to such needs. They are equipped with life-saving equipment like defibrillators, stethoscopes, pulse oximeters, and EKG monitors.
Clients’ Rights
Detox centers follow the rules and regulations established by healthcare organizations. They conduct thorough background checks on employees and volunteers. Furthermore, they pay close attention to client privacy. They never disclose personal information about you to anyone else unless you give explicit permission.
Dedicated Nurses and Psychologists
Unlike other rehab settings, detoxes employ only licensed and experienced professionals. Our qualified personnel works tirelessly to bring you back to a stable and sober state.
Group Therapy
Instead of focusing on individual treatment, detox places emphasize social interaction among participants. Group meetings offer opportunities for peer education and emotional support. In addition, it promotes accountability and responsibility among patients.
Family Involvement
Family members play an active role in rehab settings. But in detox, they become part of the treatment plan along with their loved ones.
Meals
While going through detox, you would likely lose interest in food. But not at a medically supervised detox facility. Every meal provided here is nutritionally balanced.
Pharmaceutical Support
Medication is prescribed as well to relieve the most uncomfortable symptoms of withdrawal. The following section highlights the potential medication options during detox.
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Medications Used During Medical Detox
While many different medications can be prescribed to help ease withdrawal symptoms, one of the most common is clonidine, a blood pressure medication that can lower anxiety and help with hypertension. Occasionally, limited forms of short-acting benzodiazepines, such as Ativan, are also given as a means of reducing the stress undergone by the body during detox and allowing clients to get some much-needed rest.
Lastly, antihistamines are another commonly prescribed remedy. Antihistamines reduce anxiety, headaches, dizziness, nausea, and insomnia. Doctors use antihistamine prescriptions to improve patient comfort during medically-assisted detox as an alternative to benzos.
Because of the provisions in a medical detox setting, the process is much safer. Cold turkey detox includes the risk of developing further complications associated with the symptoms of withdrawal.
Can Detoxing Cold Turkey Be Dangerous?
Cold turkey detoxing refers to quitting substance use suddenly without any form of preparation. According to research conducted by Dr. Gwen Jorgensen, a clinically trained psychologist specializing in psychopharmacology and addictions, abrupt cessation leads to a greater chance of relapse compared to gradual reduction.
She states that sudden abstinence causes a spike in stress hormones called glucocorticoids that trigger cravings and lead to depressive episodes. Without proper preplanning, users end up backsliding due to psychological distress.
Another study published in Clinical Psychology Review found similar results. Researchers studied 1,069 participants addicted to cocaine, heroin, opiates, marijuana, inhalants, amphetamines, methamphetamines, hallucinogens, prescription drugs, tobacco, and multiple substances. Participants went through either gradual detox or rapid detox.
Those experiencing quick withdrawals experienced higher chances of relapsing in the near term compared to those following slow reductions. Of course, every case is unique, depending on the individual.
If you’re thinking about cold turkey or at-home detox, you should be aware of the risks involved with these decisions.