Before a person can go through a substance abuse treatment program for an alcohol addiction, they must go through detox to rid the body of alcohol. This is one of the first steps in the recovery process. Going through detox unsupervised can be dangerous due to the withdrawal symptoms a person can experience. This is why it’s best to go through detox with medical professionals on hand. Ocean Hills Recovery provides a Dana Point alcohol detox program that provides patients with the supervision they need to successfully go through alcohol detox and prepare themselves for a substance abuse treatment program.

What Happens During a Detox Program?

During a detox program at Ocean Hills Recovery, patients follow a three-step program to ensure that they are receiving the best care possible and can avoid relapse.

Evaluation

Each patient will undergo a medical evaluation so that the staff can understand their unique health concerns. During this step, any underlying health conditions are also addressed to establish a personalized detox plan.

Stabilization

Once the evaluation is complete, the staff at Ocean Hills Recovery will use medical and psychological interventions to help stabilize the patient. This will help to make the detox process as comfortable as possible.

Transition

Moving past the detox phase to the professional treatment phase can take time. It must be done carefully before a patient can enter a long-term treatment program.

When a patient goes through detox, they typically follow the same pattern:

Anticipatory Stage

During this stage, a patient will experience mild side effects and drug cravings. These can include feelings of anxiety and fear.

Early Acute Stage

Physical side effects begin to take effect at this point. This can include an upset stomach, as well as insomnia.

Fully-Developed Acute Stage

At this point, the withdrawal symptoms and cravings are the most severe. Dangerous side effects such as hallucinations and seizures can occur during this time.

Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome (PAWS)

Specific withdrawal symptoms can last for weeks and even months after the initial detox process begins. These symptoms can be manageable and can include feelings of depression as well as cravings. During this time, a patient can still be vulnerable to environmental triggers that can lead to relapse.

How Long Does the Detox Process Take?

The detox process will differ for everyone, typically lasting one to two weeks. The amount of alcohol and frequency of use will impact the length of the detox process. Normally, withdrawal symptoms will appear within the first 72 hours. Alcohol withdrawals might start as soon as 6 hours after a person last had a drink. Withdrawal symptoms can become dangerous if left unsupervised.

Withdrawal symptoms during detox can include:

Sweating
Shaking
Fatigue
Stomach Irritation
Fever
Anxiety
Depression

Some people experience more severe withdrawal symptoms such as difficulty breathing, seizures, hallucinations, and lowered heart rate and blood pressure. These symptoms can become life-threatening if left unsupervised, which is why it’s best to have medical assistance during the detox process.

Medications Used During the Alcohol Detox Process

There are times when medications are necessary during the alcohol detox process to make the process go smoothly and safely. These medications also help to reduce alcohol cravings, making it easier for patients to complete the process without the risk of relapse.

During your stay at our detox program, our team will determine if any medications are necessary. If so, you may be prescribed any of the following:

Disulfiram

This is used to prevent relapse and treat alcohol cravings. It can produce hangover-like symptoms as a side effect.

Benzodiazepines

These drugs trick the brain into thinking it is still drinking. These help to provide relief for those detoxing from alcohol and provide a slowly tapered effect as the detox process concludes.

Naltrexone

Naltrexone alters the brain’s response to alcohol by interacting with neurotransmitters, reducing a person’s feelings after drinking.

Acamprosate

This helps to reduce alcohol dependency, thus lowering a person’s desire to drink. Acamprosate is usually prescribed with naltrexone and disulfiram.

Benefits of a Dana Point Alcohol Detox Program at Ocean Hills Recovery

Going through an alcohol detox program at Ocean Hills Recovery has many benefits, which include the following:

Serene Environment

With an aesthetic backdrop, patients can heal in a beautiful environment.

24-Hour Monitoring

Each patient is monitored 24/7 to ensure that they are detoxing safely and managing any withdrawal symptoms. Patients also have access to medical treatment should any complications occur during their detox.

Relaxation Techniques

Patients can benefit from stress-relieving strategies such as massage, which can aid withdrawal symptoms.

Therapy Options

Different types of therapies can also help patients deal with the detox process.

Comprehensive Treatment

Going through the detox program will lead to other alcohol addiction treatment services that can include a 12-step program, relapse prevention training, counseling, and much more.

Rehab Treatment Options

Detox is the first step of the recovery process. At Ocean Hills Recovery, we offer many programs so patients can get the help they need to live a sober life.

Individualized Treatment Plans

When you enter a Dana Point Alcohol Detox Program at Ocean Hills Recovery, you will receive an individualized treatment plan. We understand that everyone’s addiction is different and needs to be treated as such, which is why we customize each plan to suit each patient’s individual needs.

Secure Facility

You can count on Ocean Hills Recovery to provide a secure facility for your detox program and any treatment programs you do under our care.

Holistic Treatments

Holistic treatments are also an integral part of the treatment process as they teach healthy habits and coping mechanisms.

Seek an Alcohol Detox Program at Ocean Hills Recovery

Detox is the first step to providing your body with the healthy lifestyle you deserve. Ocean Hills Recovery provides excellent care with its Dana Point Alcohol Detox Program to help you go through the detox process. Our mission is to help you get sober and live a sober life. Contact us today to begin your path to sobriety.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does drug and alcohol rehab last?

The length of your stay at drug and alcohol rehab will vary for each person attending rehab and from treatment center to treatment center. Most inpatient programs are at least 30 days long; however, some programs may incorporate a shorter inpatient stay with a more extended outpatient stay. The best rehab centers will provide a more custom treatment plan for each person that takes into account the individual’s needs before determining the length of treatment. Ocean Hills Recovery offers a variety of options for addiction treatment. A typical stay at our inpatient drug and alcohol rehab programs last between 30 to 45 days.

Do I need inpatient or outpatient treatment?

Outpatient is an excellent option for people who are unable to take time away from work or their families while receiving addiction treatment. Inpatient treatment is an excellent option for people who can be away from their work or families for at least several weeks for treatment. We recommend that you contact a reliable treatment center, like Ocean Hills Recovery, for a complete assessment before you decide whether inpatient or outpatient treatment for addiction is best for you.

Should I get addiction treatment locally or away?

The answer to whether you should go away or stay local for addiction treatment is very individual. Many people need to get away from their everyday life for them to fully submerge themselves in their addiction recovery process. For these individuals, going to an out of state treatment center is the best option to be able to commit fully and concentrate on their recovery. For others, this is not an option because of work or family obligations.

What do I do if I don’t have insurance for drug rehab?

There are options for drug rehab, even if you don’t have insurance. When you decide to get help, the best thing to do is to find a treatment philosophy that you believe may help and contact them for assistance. Rehab professionals can help you determine if you have insurance coverage for addiction treatment, and what options are best for you. Many drug rehabs accept insurance but also have private pay, or financing options available. Contact our rehab admissions specialist today, and we can help you navigate insurance questions, payment options, and treatment plans.

How to find a drug and alcohol rehabilitation center?

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration website is a great place to start when you are looking for a drug and alcohol rehabilitation center. We recommend that you make a list of a few different centers to contact and speak with them to get a feel for their programs, therapies, and staff and find the center that you feel most comfortable with. Have a list of questions that you can ask each center to help you through the process. One of the most important questions to ask is if the rehab holds accreditation by CARF. Having a state license is no longer enough to ensure that a rehab center is reputable. If the rehab holds CARF accreditation, they have had to meet a more strict set of guidelines and procedures.

Do I need detox before addiction treatment?

Many people require detox to help manage withdrawal from alcohol and other drugs. There are several factors that we take into consideration to determine if you will need detox before addiction treatment. Our admissions professionals work with each person to obtain a thorough history of substance use and other medical conditions to help make the appropriate recommendations for care. You must give accurate information so that we can keep you as comfortable as possible if you are experiencing withdrawal symptoms. However, detox is only the first step in addiction recovery. For long-lasting addiction recovery, a person must deal with the underlying issues that lead to substance use in the first place. Contact us today for a confidential assessment.