The term detox has sort of changed and shifted over the years into what many people now believe it to be, something akin to a fad diet or smoothie that uses whatever berry happens to be viral. But the reality is that detoxification is a real medical therapy and is used for all kinds of issues, most prominently, addiction. It works by ensuring that all traces of a substance are removed from the body in order to move on to the next steps, where further healing can continue.
So the next question that naturally arises is, how do you select a detox approach that works for your needs and will show actual, real-world results? Here, we’re taking a look at six options that you can use in isolation or in combination to get yourself or those you love back on track and ready to become their true selves once more.
Severity Of Dependence
Arguably, the most prominent factor that dictates how you select a detox plan and its possibility of showing genuine results is how dependent someone is on whatever is causing their addiction. In most cases, you can break addiction down into substance abuse and mental addiction. The former is for things like drugs and alcohol, with the latter being related to activities such as gambling, etc. If someone has a severe addiction to anything, it could require inpatient options where addiction professionals are able to carefully administer the form of detox that fits the addiction.
If you choose a reputable rehabilitation facility like this center for residential addiction care in California, you will also gain access to all manner of treatment options that include evidence-based treatments to help you kick the habit in a safe environment. If an addition is slightly milder, outpatient facilities might be a better option as they enable you to stay with those you love while receiving the care and detox advice you need.
Substance Type And Usage History
It’s quite common for addicts to “dabble” (for want of a better word) in a variety of substances, but for most, it will be a specific substance that they crave. Consequently, whatever it is they use can have a huge impact on the approach you take.
- Short-acting vs long-acting substances: For those who have a propensity towards drugs that stay in the system for longer, a more robust detox process will likely need to be taken. Conversely, if it is a substance that tends not to linger, it’s possible to achieve positive outcomes sooner with the correct intervention.
- Past withdrawal experiences: Patients who have shown a habit of relapse for whatever reason will need to approach detox in different ways than they may have done in the past.
Physical And Mental Health Considerations
Kicking certain drugs will have a far more intense effect on the body than others, with options like opiates and alcohol often causing severe withdrawal symptoms. This makes it vital to assess how a person could interact with specific forms of detox before forcing them into something that could cause mental and physical health problems if they go too hard too fast. It can also be the case that pre-existing, underlying health issues need to be treated before any other type of recovery option is considered to avoid any health disruptions that could derail the process.
Level Of Medical Supervision Required
We’ve already noted the possibility of inpatient and outpatient services, and the option you choose will heavily depend on just how far gone the patient is. If they are mentally able to understand the process and willing to adhere to the rules, they will need less supervision than a person who is totally and utterly hooked on something and unable to see the forest for the trees.
Personal Environment And Support System
A huge factor that will influence the outcome of a detox program is the support network an addict may or may not have around them. It’s all too easy for those looking in to say that they just need some mental fortitude to kick their habit, but the reality is often far, far more complicated. Environments can turn the best intentions moot, but having the right people around who can ensure the detox is adhered to makes a world of difference.
Long-Term Recovery Goals
The most obvious long-term goal is to get clean and avoid relapse, but kicking a habit can depend on the person and situation. By taking a more holistic view of what “long-term recovery” might mean, you are more likely to choose a detox and rehabilitation program that lasts the course.
Addiction is a challenging subject, and especially so for those who are either dealing with it by themselves or have loved ones spiralling down. With the correct approach and the right detox program, it’s possible to not only rid an addiction from a person, but also rid them of it for good and enable the body to heal.
Written by lea@sapurex.com
