Detox is a painful but essential first step in any inpatient drug reha b program. People who seek help at inpatient drug rehab centers suffer from crippling physical dependencies, and they must be weaned off of drugs in order to successfully engage their therapies.
In most cases, detox lasts five to fourteen days. Even if they used just hours before checking themselves into their clinics, patients are deprived of drugs during this entire period. Almost all addicts experience painful withdrawal symptoms such as paranoia, anxiety, memory loss, chronic physical pain, and cognitive impairment. These symptoms decline as patients’ brains adjust to functioning without drugs or alcohol.
However, detox can be dangerous and even life-threatening for certain addicts. People hooked on heroin or other opiates often experience frightening withdrawal symptoms such as heart palpitations, shortness of breath, seizures, and even cardiac arrest. To reduce the risks of these symptoms occurring, many rehab specialists have begun to use rapid detox for heroin-addicted patients.
During rapid detox, doctors use specialized medications to induce days’ worth of withdrawal in just hours. Patients still experience painful symptoms, but they spend only a short time exposed to the dangers of heroin withdrawal. Though this method still holds risks of its own, it has helped thousands of heroin addicts quickly detoxify their bodies in preparation for inpatient drug rehab.
Rapid detox usually begins with a comprehensive diagnostic. Doctors measure the levels of opiates within patient’s bodies, as well as their blood concentrations of endorphins and other neurotransmitters. By taking these careful measurements, rehab specialists can determine the proper types and dosages of medications to be used. They can also find out how long the detoxification process will take. In some cases, severely addicted patients can complete detox within four to six hours.
Detox doesn’t cure addiction – nothing does. However, it is a crucial step in the process of treatment and recovery. Once heroin addicts complete rapid detox, they are able to function without constantly getting high. They can productively engage their counseling sessions and other therapies at an inpatient drug rehab center and make the lifestyle changes necessary for clean living.