Detox

Short for “detoxification,” detox is the prelude to longer-term treatment and recovery. It’s original meaning was to signify the safe medical management of withdrawal from a substance (e.g., alcohol, heroin), but is also sometimes used more generally to signify both withdrawal management plus an addition treatment component, or merely a treatment component other than medical management of withdrawal (e.g., “going to detox” can sometimes mean a stay in a rehabilitation center).

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA), the detoxification process consists of three essential components:

Evaluation
Stabilization
Fostering patient readiness for and entry into treatment

Detoxification is a broad term, for a process that can include various levels of medical involvement, and take place in a number of medical and non-medical settings.

Linkage to, and compliance with, ongoing substance use disorder treatment is one of the major signs of a successful detox program.

THE LENGTH & SEVERITY OF WITHDRAWAL IS AFFECTED BY:

Length of substance use
Primary substance
Route of substance use (e.g., oral, injection, smoked)
Substance amount and tolerance
Family history
Co-occurring medical or mental health disorders

WITHDRAWAL SYMPTOMS MAY INCLUDE:

Anxiety, panic attacks
Depression
Hallucinations
Changes in heart rate and blood pressure
Shakiness, tremors
Problems sleeping
Loss of appetite
Irritability, mood swings
Tension
Trouble concentrating
Nausea, vomiting

DELIRIUM TREMENS

This severe and debilitating medical condition occurs among individuals with severe alcohol use disorder. It typically begins 24 hours or longer following acute cessation of alcohol and is a life-threatening form of alcohol withdrawal involving sudden & severe changes in the mental and nervous system. These changes can cause severe mental confusion and hallucinations.

TYPES OF DETOX PROGRAMS

MEDICAL DETOX

The medical process focused on treating the physical effects of withdrawal from substance use and comfortably achieving metabolic stabilization. A whole range of medications may be used to manage the symptoms of withdrawal depending on the type of substance and severity of symptoms.

SOCIAL DETOX

While it is important to always consult with a licensed healthcare professional, many substance use disorders, for example with stimulants (e.g. cocaine), in general may not have any medications to assist with withdrawal and these types of withdrawal are not life-threatening. In such cases, patients may choose social detoxification programs, where the emphasis is on peer and social support for patients whose withdrawal symptoms require 24-hour structure and support from staff, but do not require medically managed inpatient detoxification.