Is detox included with outpatient drug and alcohol treatment? This a major question to consider when deciding which drug rehab to attend. Although related, drug detox and drug rehab are actually two different things. Before you can begin rehab treatment, you must rid your body of the drug or drugs you were taking. You can’t concentrate on recovery when your brain is still influenced by drugs and you feel awful from withdrawal symptoms. Medically supervised detox will allow you to detox without significant withdrawal symptoms. Several different medications are used to do this. The medications used will depend on the drug or drugs you were abusing. Drug rehabs will not allow you to begin treatment at their program unless and until you have been through detox, whether at their facility or elsewhere.

Different Kinds of Drug Detox and Rehab

Some drug rehabs have a detox unit. Others do not. There are both outpatient and inpatient detox. You will need help to choose which one is right for you. Information on how to get that help will be at the end of this article. Generally speaking, any opioid addiction that involves heavy use over more than several months, especially of very powerful opioids like fentanyl, will require at least outpatient detox. Very, very few people can do this kind of detox without help.

If you have certain medical conditions, inpatient or even partial hospitalization detox may be the safest and most comfortable choice for you. Opioid withdrawal, while not typically life-threatening, is horribly unpleasant and painful. It can drag on for weeks. The truth is, most people just can’t hack it and return to opioid use just to get relief. A medical detox will help you comfortably withdraw by medicating you with certain drugs that are then reduced in dose over time. If a detox facility, whether it’s attached to a rehab or not, claims to be social or holistic, be advised that it probably means that it doesn’t use withdrawal medications. There is nothing inherently wrong with this, but be sure it’s the kind of detox you want to do and can safely do.

Alcohol and Benzodiazepines

Withdrawal from alcohol, benzodiazepines and certain sleeping medications can be life-threatening due to the risk of grand mal seizures. The brain has become used to the presence of these drugs and can no longer function normally without them. This deranged brain function can lead to life-threatening seizures. With the seizures comes the risk of brain damage and lung aspiration of stomach contents. Never try to withdraw from these kinds of drugs without professional supervision. You may require partial hospitalization detox, depending on the level of your addiction. While opioids also cause changes in brain function, resulting in withdrawal symptoms, it typically isn’t near as physically dangerous as withdrawal from alcohol and benzodiazepines. If your addiction to benzodiazepines, which are tranquilizing and hypnotic drugs in the Valium family, is very light, you may be able to do an outpatient detox. However, you will first need a professional medical evaluation to be sure this is safe for you.

Cocaine and Amphetamines

Withdrawal from stimulant drugs like cocaine and amphetamines can include such symptoms as depression, anxiety, body aches, drug craving, paranoia and irritability. In some people prone to depression, stimulant withdrawal can induce even a life-threatening form of depression. This is because habitual stimulant use depletes the brain of a neurotransmitter chemical called dopamine. Dopamine is a pleasure, reward and feel-good brain chemical. Without it, the world can appear to be bleak and colorless. The brain will eventually ramp up dopamine production and restore brain levels of the chemical to normal, but this can take time. Medications for stimulant withdrawal will focus on relief of symptoms and treatment of any depression that may occur.

Although the use of hallucinogenic drugs are on the rise, particularly among younger people, they do not typically produce a physical withdrawal syndrome when suddenly stopped. However, psychological dependence on these drugs can occur and can compel continued use. Drug treatment may be necessary in some cases.

There is a wide range of drug detox and drug rehabs available across the country. Not all of them will be right for every person. It’s mainly about the kind of drug or drugs you’re addicted to, the level of addiction and personal preferences. Of course, safety is always paramount.

Need Help?

If you need help, but you don’t know where to turn, call us at 833-820-3812. We are professional drug counselors and we can help you choose the best drug detox and drug rehab for your needs. We know it’s confusing. That’s why we’re here. We look forward to your call.