Healing the Core of Addiction Why Are Hawaii Drug Detox Programs Necessary?

Why Are Hawaii Drug Detox Programs Necessary?

If you or someone you love wants to start the journey towards recovery from drug abuse, you’ll need to start with detoxification. Rather than risking the dangers of improper detox, it’s best to take advantage of medically managed withdrawal at a luxury facility in Hawaii. This will ensure you are as safe and comfortable as possible and you have the best chance of overcoming your substance abuse problems.

Detox is the natural process by which the body rids itself of an addictive substance. A person who is detoxing abstains from drug use. During this period, they may experience unpleasant, painful, or life-threatening withdrawal symptoms as the brain and body try to adjust.

There are different types of detox. With at-home detox, the person stops taking the drug and simply remains at home. This is often accompanied by cold-turkey detox which is when an individual abruptly stops using a drug. Experts don’t recommend at-home detox given how serious withdrawal symptoms can be. A medically supervised program is the best option since the patient is kept as safe and comfortable as possible.

Also, for many drugs, tapering is preferred over quitting cold turkey. Tapering refers to when a person is gradually weaned off a drug in an effort to keep withdrawal symptoms at bay. A medical professional slowly decreases the dosage according to a schedule. This technique may be used when medications are administered for opioids, benzodiazepines, or alcohol withdrawal.

What Is a Medically Supervised Detox?

Medically supervised detox involves the use of medications and other forms of therapy to manage the side effects of detox. The aim is to minimize harm and discomfort. It is important to note that detox and rehab aren’t the same things even though some people use them interchangeably.

Medical detox is designed to stabilize individuals who have stopped using the drug on which they are dependent and help them to transition into rehab. Rehab is a combination of services that focuses on improving the individual’s social and psychological wellbeing. Therefore, detox sets the stage for rehab.

Drugs That Cause Withdrawal Symptoms

Many substances that alter the brain can become addictive. When used in excess or for a long period, individuals can become dependent on them to feel normal. Ceasing use can lead to withdrawal symptoms. Drugs that can lead to withdrawal include: 

Why Is Cold-Turkey Detox Dangerous?

There are several reasons why you may be considering detoxing cold turkey and doing so at home. Maybe you want to avoid the cost associated with entering a detox program or you think people will find out that you have a substance abuse problem. You may even think your home will be more comfortable than a facility staffed by people you don’t know. However, you need to appreciate that addiction is a chronic disease, and it needs to be managed with professional help

Wanting to quit doesn’t guarantee that you’ll be able to stop using drugs and turn your life around. Despite what you may have heard, detoxing from drugs isn’t about having the willpower to remain abstinent. Whether you are dependent on illicit drugs or prescription medications, detoxing can cause complex changes in the brain and body. Without professional supervision, the process could be dangerous.

For example, quitting opioids cold turkey isn’t typically fatal but it can cause uncomfortable side effects such as flu-like symptoms, nausea, and diarrhea. Individuals who experience moderate to severe withdrawal often experience drug cravings.

Meanwhile, people going through benzodiazepine withdrawal may experience seizures, hallucinations, anxiety, panic, and changes in perception. When all these side effects occur at once, people who try to detox alone often relapse. That’s why it’s important to talk to your physician or contact a drug detox center to find out if medically managed detox could be right for you.

What are the Risks of At-Home Detox?

It can be difficult not to use drugs when you remain at home. Not only can you be exposed to people and things that trigger drug use, but it will be easy to get drugs if you want them. Relapsing immediately after detoxing increases the risk of overdose and it can be fatal.

The physical symptoms associated with withdrawal can also lead to a medical emergency, especially in people with co-occurring mental or physical conditions. These risks are significantly reduced in a medically supervised detox program.

If you detox at home, there won’t be anyone there to help you if the withdrawal symptoms become unbearable. It is impossible to predict the severity of the symptoms so it’s always best to have addiction treatment professionals close by if something goes wrong.

Detoxing at home also means you won’t have access to medications which can make withdrawal more bearable. There are medicines that can either reduce cravings and prevent relapse or help to stabilize or decrease drug use.

Medications Used in Drug Addiction Centers In Hawaii 

There are several medications that can be administered during detox. Some are approved by the Food and Drug Administration for use with specific drugs while others help to relieve more general symptoms.

For example, individuals going through heroin withdrawal are often given either methadone or Suboxone (buprenorphine). The latter has been approved for use during withdrawal and during recovery as a form of maintenance therapy.

Buprenorphine is a partial opioid agonist. This means it has a weaker effect than heroin and other opioids. However, the effect is enough to limit withdrawal symptoms and reduce cravings. Individuals who take buprenorphine are less likely to abuse other opioids.

Meanwhile, methadone is a long-acting opioid agonist that can be used in place of short-acting opioids. It helps to reduce withdrawal symptoms and drug cravings. The patient is then put on a tapering schedule until they’re drug-free.

In contrast, no medication has been approved by the FDA specifically for the treatment of benzodiazepine dependence. However, patients going through benzodiazepine withdrawal may be given medications for symptoms such as anxiety, tremors, high blood pressure,  nausea, vomiting, and seizures, when necessary.

What are the Stages and Process Of Detoxification?

What does a Hawaii drug detox entail? There are typically three components to medically supervised detox. The first step is evaluation. The professionals at the detox center need to have a thorough understanding of the patient before they can treat them or make any recommendations.

Therefore, they evaluate their current physical and psychological condition as well as their history. Clinicians may also assess the individual’s level of acute intoxication in an effort to devise an appropriate treatment plan. Some people can detox in a drug treatment facility while others need to be in a hospital due to the risk of severe withdrawal.

Stabilization

After the evaluation has been completed, it’s time for stabilization. Medications and various forms of therapy can be used to help the patient navigate the withdrawal process. At Exclusive Hawaii Rehab, we take a holistic approach to detox. Even though we may administer medication, we also offer supplementation with herbs, vitamins, minerals. We also incorporate acupuncture in the detox process to help calm the nervous system and reduce cravings. The aim is to create an experience that’s as safe and comfortable as possible.

Preparation for Rehab

When the patient’s physical condition has stabilized, the next step is to get them enrolled in more long-term drug abuse treatment. This often takes the form of intensive residential treatment but some patients are suited to partial hospitalization or some form of outpatient rehab.

In rehab, patients learn to manage the complex psychological and social factors that lead to substance use. They gain the skills they need to make healthier choices.

How Long Does Detox Last?

Most patients complete their drug detox program in about a week. However, the process can also take as long as a month. The duration depends on a number of factors including the substance used, how much was regularly used, and how long the person has been using drugs. The individual’s overall health and mental state when they start detox also play a role. People who are dependent on more than one substance and those who have co-occurring mental health conditions tend to take longer to detox.

What Happens After Detox?

As stated earlier, detox is usually not enough to help people achieve long-term recovery. Patients need to enter a rehabilitation program after they complete detox and most facilities offer this continuum of care. For drug abuse treatment to be effective, it needs to address all aspects of the individual’s life including medical, mental, social, and vocational challenges. Even when medications are used, counseling and therapy are also necessary.

Psychotherapy or talk therapy is common but people in recovery also benefit from immersion in nature, pet therapy, art and music therapy, and more. The most successful treatment programs cater to the unique needs of each individual. Both conventional and holistic therapies can be useful.

Addiction is a chronic disease and it can’t be cured. The goal of treatment is to help the individual regain control of their life and contribute positively to the family, workplace, school, and community.

Use Detox in Hawaii as a Foundation For Lasting Recovery

Choosing to detox in a Hawaiian paradise is the best decision you could make. Overcoming addiction begins with detox but not all facilities and programs are the same. Exclusive Hawaii Rehab is a luxury eight-bed facility for high-net-worth individuals, executives, and celebrities who want all the benefits of detox and rehab with the amenities of a wellness retreat.

When you enter our facilities,  you can access life-saving interventions for drugs and alcohol addiction. Naturally, you’ll be concerned about your safety, and medically supervised detox is the best way to ensure that the withdrawal process goes smoothly. Our stunning and ultra-private location creates the perfect setting for clearing your mind and starting the process of healing.

Instead of searching for  “medically supervised detox programs near me” and hoping to find the ideal facility, contact the experienced professionals at our luxury treatment center. We’ll answer your questions, verify your insurance, and help you to get started on the path towards recovery.