MEDICAL DETOX

Medical Detox in Asheville

Medical detox is the safest way to step into recovery, and we take our services very seriously. Our approach is to meet you where you are and to provide you with comprehensive care throughout the entire medical detox process. 

Our medical detox process helps clients withdraw from drugs and alcohol in a medically-supervised setting, as safely and comfortably as possible. Because withdrawal produces unpleasant side effects, detoxing in a clinical setting can ensure an individual’s safety and comfort. Clients can relax in our peaceful atmosphere, knowing that our medical professionals are monitoring their detox process. 

Medical detoxification, or medical detox, is a crucial first step in drug or alcohol addiction treatment. Because severe alcohol and drug withdrawal symptoms can be fatal, medical drug detox is critical. All individuals who have displayed physical or mental drug dependence symptoms will likely be recommended for medical drug detox. 

A medical detox program can assist you in establishing healthier habits if you believe you are abusing drugs or alcohol. Asheville Detox’s detoxification program is a fundamental first step in your recovery. It provides the foundation for establishing new and healthy habits, regardless of what stage you start your recovery journey. 

What is Medical Detox? 

Medical detox involves ridding the body of addictive toxic substances under the supervision of a team of medical professionals. What exactly is medical detox, and how does it differ from our everyday understanding of the concept? Medical detox is the process of eliminating addictive toxic substances from the body under the supervision of licensed medical professionals. 

A group headed by a physician typically includes nurses, medical experts, and therapists. Medical treatment is often provided by nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and other medical specialists in an emergency department. Medical detoxification plays the same role in addiction that a hospital emergency department does in managing long-term medical conditions.

A hospital emergency department for an asthma attack is a comparable example. The process provides stabilization for an acute flare-up of a chronic condition but it does not alter the long-term course of the illness. Those seeking intensive drug and alcohol treatment often prioritize medical detoxification at the beginning of treatment. Those who complete medical detoxification are more likely to stay in treatment longer and experience longer periods of sobriety. 

What is the Detox Process? 

These three things are essential for successful drug and alcohol detoxification:

1. Evaluation – An in-depth initial evaluation is performed at a detox facility by clinical professionals to assess a patient’s physical and mental condition and history. Patients may be assessed for their potential for acute intoxication and withdrawal, as well as other biomedical conditions. After an assessment, the detoxification level of care can be determined, and an individualized treatment plan can be constructed. 

2. Stabilization – Detox programs help patients through a safe withdrawal experience by following an individualized treatment plan and its prescribed therapies and medications. 

1. Aftercare – Longer-term substance abuse treatment may help a patient sustain sobriety and avoid relapse. Detox alone is not sufficient to maintain long-term recovery, as it does not address the psychological and social issues associated with substance use. To prepare clients for the subsequent phase of rehabilitation, detoxification treatment should assist clients in the transition into short-term residential treatment, long-term residential treatment, or outpatient care.

Why is Medical Detox Important?

Medical detox greatly reduces the chance of experiencing severe symptoms, and if any of the symptoms listed above do arise, our trained medical team will be right there to provide warranted medication or medical treatment. In addition to clinical supervision, we also offer supplemental treatments such as medication-assisted treatment (MAT) and NAD+ therapy. We offer medication-assisted treatment to our clients as a way to alleviate symptoms and provide a more comfortable experience, while NAD+ therapy is an intravenous treatment used to rehydrate, energize, and nourish clients by supplying crucial vitamins and electrolytes.

How do you know when addiction has become a chronic condition and acute treatment like medical detox is necessary? A substance is physically addictive and typically requires medically-assisted detox if: 

• An individual has tried to quit using and found it impossible without help
• Regular cravings continue when there is no access to it 
• Required increasing amounts of a substance to get the usual effect
• Used a substance regularly after a long period of time
• A substance used in large quantities for a long time
• A diminished effect over time

Individuals who are dependent on drugs or alcohol most frequently seek out medical detoxification treatment when they are at risk of experiencing the consequences of withdrawal. Withdrawal refers to a bodily addiction to a substance, and in addition to tolerance (requiring higher amounts to produce a comparable outcome), it indicates that the body has become physically hooked on a substance. Withdrawal symptoms, which are caused by the chemical actions in the body when a substance is consumed or not consumed at all, vary from substance to substance.

What Drugs Require Medically-Assisted Detox?

The following substance addictions must be assessed and treated for potential withdrawal symptoms:

Alcohol – Alcohol inhibits the central nervous system in the body, which controls involuntary body processes such as temperature regulation, heart rate, blood pressure, stress reactivity, and motor activity. Withdrawal from alcohol can cause an increase in body temperature, an increased heart rate, high blood pressure, anxiety, and tremors, among other symptoms. Withdrawal from alcohol can also be fatal without medical intervention as severe symptoms may include seizures and hallucinations. Delirium tremens is the most deadly form of alcohol withdrawal. 

Opioids – Opioids are drugs derived from the poppy plant that have been used for centuries to manage pain. Morphine, heroin, and codeine are examples of opiates, which are produced directly from the plant. Opioids are artificial drugs that have a similar function to opiates, such as oxycodone and hydromorphone. 

When administered, opiates mimic the body’s natural opioids (endorphins). Because the presence of opioids halts the endorphin production, the body will depend on the effects of external opioids to compensate for the absence of these substances. Withdrawal symptoms include cold and clammy skin, muscle aches, anxiety, nausea, and vomiting. While opioid withdrawal is not a lethal condition on its own, its symptoms can be extremely unpleasant.

Benzodiazepines – commonly known as “benzos”, benzodiazepines are sedatives used to treat anxiety, seizure disorders, and sleep disorders. Benzodiazepines have a similar chemical impact on the body as alcohol, resulting in comparable withdrawal symptoms. Xanax, Ativan, Valium, and Klonopin are examples of benzodiazepines.

Stimulants – Non-prescription stimulants include methamphetamine, cocaine, and ecstasy. Prescription stimulants include Adderall, Ritalin, and Dexedrine. Despite the fact that stimulants don’t create physically lethal withdrawal symptoms, withdrawal symptoms associated with stimulants often resemble severe depression. 

Prescription Drugs – Many prescription medications can be misused to achieve a high or to relieve stress. Benzodiazepines and opioids are not the only prescription drugs that may be misused. Muscle relaxants, sleep medications, gabapentin, and other drugs can be misused in a variety of ways. Each type of prescription drug has unique withdrawal symptoms but substances such as muscle relaxants or sleep medications act in a similar manner to central nervous system depressants like alcohol and benzodiazepines. 

Synthetic Drugs – Medical detox can successfully address withdrawal symptoms associated with many synthetic drugs or “designer drugs” such as bath salts, krokodil, or kratom, in addition to the notorious synthetic opioid, fentanyl. 

What Can I Expect?

A thorough evaluation is conducted during medical detoxification to ensure that each person’s requirements are met. Medical staff assists in tailoring medical detoxification care to each person’s needs, and the following conditions are screened for:

• Drug and alcohol use disorders
• Medical conditions
• Contributing psychological factors 
• Co-occurring disorders
• Risk for withdrawal, and withdrawal 

Medical detoxification may begin after the evaluation is concluded. 

Are Medications Used During Detox? 

Detox can be a difficult process, and some patients may benefit from the use of addiction medications to ease withdrawal symptoms or reduce cravings. However, it is crucial to remember that these drugs are only administered after clearance by a medical professional on a patient-by-patient basis. 

(Drugs) 

Suboxone 

How Long Will Detox Last? 

Medical detox typically lasts for five to seven days, however, the length and intensity depend on a few factors. These factors include: 

• The substance of abuse – withdrawal symptoms and length of withdrawal are dependent on the substance used. Withdrawal from alcohol, for example, can occur within a few hours of the last drink and require a protracted substitute treatment. 

• Duration of use – Long-term use of a substance can cause physical dependence in as little as six to eight weeks. Similarly, the more frequently an individual uses a substance, the more likely he or she will become physically reliant on it. Physical reliance on substances such as benzodiazepines and opioids can develop in as little as six to eight weeks with regular use.

• Quantity used – An increased amount of a substance creates a heavier burden on the body and thus requires more drastic measures to adapt to it. This results in faster tolerance. 

• Other factors – The process of withdrawing from a substance is determined by a person’s body chemistry, weight, metabolic rate, and genetic makeup, in addition to the response to treatment. 

Is it Safe? 

Undergoing medical detox is both safe and effective in eliminating substances from the body, according to research. Medical staff, including experienced nurses and clinical staff, supervises every step of the process. Medical staff monitor vital signs such as heart rate, blood pressure, and temperature throughout the process to ensure a safe withdrawal. A team of medical professionals oversees detox at a detox facility that is licensed by the appropriate authorities. Medical personnel provides holistic and competent support. 

What Happens After Detox? 

A thorough rehabilitation program deals with the physical and mental elements of substance abuse. Detoxification addresses the physical consequences of addiction and, therefore, does not alter the natural course of addiction. 

Medical detox is most effective when used as a component of a larger treatment program that addresses the emotional, spiritual, and behavioral causes of addiction. Patients are typically transferred to residential or partial hospitalization treatment immediately after detoxification. 

How Do I Find a Detox Center? 

When you make up your mind to seek out a detox facility, you’ll probably look for local choices online. However, what next? How will you know which program is best for you? How can you locate a reputable medical detox center? You’ll want a center that: 

1. Has a team of expert, experienced personnel 
2. Is fully accredited and licensed by the state where the center is located 
3. Can handle medical issues 
4. Is open 24 hours a day. 

Medical Detox at Asheville Detox Center

At Asheville Detox, we have created a relaxing, serene environment because we want our clients to feel safe, supported, and at ease throughout the detoxification process. Detox specialists are present 24/7 to supervise the process, and supplemental services such as MAT and NAD+ therapy are available to clients who might benefit from this additional care. To learn more about medical detox or any of the services we offer, contact the specialists at Asheville Detox today. We will beat addiction together.

Drug and alcohol-related disorders are frequently treated with supervised medical detoxification, which is available 24 hours a day at Asheville Detox Center. Our detox program provides round-the-clock nursing care, as well as detoxification for people with co-existing mental health issues and for those who are suffering from polysubstance abuse. Each client’s detoxification requirements are addressed and case managers work with each client individually to determine the best next step in treatment once the individual has completed the detox program.