When you’re battling a substance abuse disorder, you want to take all the proper steps to ensure that you have the best chance at recovery and staying sober. For many people, this means going through a detox program before entering rehab. If you’ve been asking yourself, do I need detox, here are some reasons to consider as you start your journey to sobriety.

What is Detox?

Detox is the process of getting drugs or alcohol out of your body. Medically-assisted detoxification can safely help manage withdrawal symptoms, so many people opt for this method.¹ The type of drug and how long someone has been addicted will determine the detox process. It’s important to note that everyone’s experience with detox is different when it comes to withdrawal symptoms.

What is the Detox Process?

While the detox process can vary from center to center, it typically includes these basic steps:

1. Evaluation for If Detox is Needed Before Rehab:

Patients will undergo a series of evaluations that can include blood tests and a screening for physical and mental health issues. Blood tests can help to determine the number of drugs in a person’s system. During the evaluation, the rehab clinic will also take the patient’s medical history.

2. Stabilization:

The patient next has to be stabilized with medications or therapy. The goal in this step is to prevent any harm to the patient and reduce withdrawal symptoms.

3. Preparing to Enter a Treatment Facility:

Patients are educated about the treatment process. At this time, a decision is made about whether inpatient or outpatient treatment will be most beneficial.

Since everyone’s detox experience is different, these steps may vary, but this is an excellent general roadmap of what to expect.

Why Do I Need Detox Before Going to Rehab?

Many people question why they can’t go straight into a rehab program and bypass detox. Skipping detox is not a good idea since many withdrawal symptoms can be life-threatening. When you go through a medically supervised detox, you will be monitored every step of the way.

Here are several reasons why detox before rehab is often recommended:

24-hour medical supervision is on-hand in case of emergency
Allows for better management of withdrawal symptoms
Reduces the risk of relapse
Can pave the way for effective long-term treatment

Some people think they can detox on their own at home before entering a treatment facility. But quitting cold turkey without supervision can lead to severe issues such as seizures and dehydration. Within a supervised detox program, these types of symptoms can be controlled safely by trained professionals.

How Can a Successful Detox Prepare You for a Successful Rehab Stay and Long-Term Sobriety?

When the drugs are completely out of your system, and withdrawal symptoms are under control, you can focus on the work that needs to be done in rehab to become sober. For many, this requires therapy to determine what led them to that path in the first place. But, this can’t begin until you have control of the substance.

If your detox is not successful, you can’t expect your rehab to be successful. One process needs to be complete before the other one can begin. If you’re relapsing during the detox process because you’ve chosen to do it yourself, you’re not going to be mentally or physically prepared for rehab.

When you don’t go through a detox program, you also risk continuing to be around the triggers that may have led you to your addiction. This includes people and places that may have encouraged your substance abuse addiction. If you’re in a detox program, these triggers are no longer within your reach. Removing these triggers can help many people focus on the work that needs to be done, rather than enduring the constant distraction and temptation of using again.

One factor to consider and research that shows that long-term rehab services can significantly improve someone’s addiction. The longer someone spends in residential treatment, the less likely of relapse.²

Contact Us

At Ocean Hills Recovery, we are committed to getting people the help they need to live a sober life. We provide both drug and alcohol detox, supervised by our medically-trained staff.

After completing the detox process, we provide therapy and group and individual treatment based on the Twelve Steps. We have found that this combination works best to fight withdrawal and keep people sober.

It’s important to note that fighting addiction is a gradual process that takes patience and hard work. We are here to help you every step of the way. For more information on our programs, contact us today.

Sources:

[1] Principles of Effective Treatment | National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/principles-drug-addiction-treatment-research-based-guide-third-edition/principles-effective-treatment

[2] Drug Detox Center San Diego – Drug Detox Program Near Me

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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.

Do I Need Detox Before Rehab?