Drug Detoxification...

Drug treatment starts with the process of drug detoxification. Drug detoxification reduces high levels of substances left in the body by the drugs and/or alcohol abuse. Some psychoactive drugs cause physical addiction. The withdrawals of certain drug can be fatal without a medical drug detoxification program.

Some physically addictive drugs include alcohol, heroin, Benzodiazapam tranquilizers, barbiturates, methadone, prescription pain medications such as Percocet, Oxycontin, Roxicodone, Hydrocodone, Vicodin, and Lortab. In a detoxification program a phyisition determines the medication schedule appropriate for the type of addiction. patients are monitored by a doctor and a nurse.

Some metications for detoxification include, Buprenorpine (Buprenex, Subutex, Suboxone), methadone, Rapid Opiate Detox and Clonidine, Librium. All of these methods and medications can manage the painful syndrom of withdrawal. An important note however is that going through a drug detox without following up with a drug treatment program significantly reduces the likelihood of lasting recovery. Therefore, successful recovery depends essentially on the drug treatment program.

Medically assisted drug detoxification usually last one to two weeks. Many treatment centers provide detoxification within the same facility while other rehabs have their withdrawal program in separate locations. When detoxification overwith, the addict should be cleared to begin drug treatment.

Addiction attributed to crack/cocaine, (methamphetamine, crystal meth, speed, crank, ice), doesn’t require medical detoxification, because they don’t induce severe physical withdrawal symptoms. Withdrawal from cocaine, crack and meth produces depression, anxiety, and irritability. Though the withdrawals from these drug types aren’t usually life threatening, they are still very addictive and require highly comprehensive drug treatment.