Drug detox is the process undertaken to rid the body of the toxins accumulated due to the intake of drugs. There are many different methods of drug detox treatments.

Most drug detox centers offer simple medication so that the patient doesn’t have withdrawal. Withdrawal is one of the first steps of drug detox. Withdrawal can best be described as the physiological and mental readjustment that results from the discontinuation of use of any addictive substances.

The nature and severity of withdrawal varies greatly depends on the nature of the drug used and the level of dependency on it. People who use cocaine and alcohol or alcohol and prescription medicines take drug detox courses routinely. A trained detox center will also provide counseling and therapy along with their detox program.

An ideal drug detox covers all aspects of an individual’s withdrawal and ensures complete purification from drugs. The core goal of drug detox is the removal of drug residue from the human body. If the drug residues aren’t completely removed, they may grow in the body and result in cravings few years later.

The various kinds of drug detox are cocaine detox, marijuana detox, crack detox, heroin detox, ecstasy detox and recently, methamphetamine detox.

There are various kinds of treatments available for a drug detox, mainly inpatient and outpatient treatment. With inpatient treatment, the patient gets support 24 hours a day. Also, when the patient is taken from his usual surroundings, it helps them better to lead a drug free lifestyle.

Though hospitals are the first choice for inpatient treatments, these treatments can also be undertaken in residences. Residential inpatient treatments are available that are conducted in residential surroundings but have supervision and structure.

Short-term inpatient treatment lasts for a maximum of thirty days and consists of medical stabilization, abstinence from drugs, and lifestyle changes. Trained counselors give the treatment.

Long-term inpatient treatment lasts for several months or up to a year. It consists of round the clock, drug free treatment for the patients.

Bookmark to:

Alcohol detox or withdrawal is a period of medically monitored treatment in which an alcoholic is helped and made to overcome symptoms of withdrawal that result from a significant decrease in alcohol consumption. Detox usually lasts for a period of three to fourteen days depending on the history of alcohol use. During this period, patients experience withdrawal symptoms, which include mild headaches, tremors, cold sweat, and severe seizures. Apart from these, there are also other symptoms related to detox, which have been proven to cause complications and even death. This has created the need for medical practitioners to come up with specific treatments or protocols to treat these symptoms.

Assessing symptoms

Given the extensive research and studies that have been done on the withdrawal symptoms associated with alcoholism, there is a wide selection of protocols that medical practitioners can choose from for their patients. However, a very important initial step that should be taken by medical practitioners is to assess the symptoms of the patient so that he can pick the most appropriate protocol to treat the symptoms. One effective way to do this is to use the CIWA-Ar instrument, which only takes a few minutes to administer. This instrument can measure the severity of alcohol withdrawal by rating ten signs and symptoms, which includes nausea; anxiety; tactile, visual and auditory disturbances; tremors; headaches; disorientation; autonomic hyperactivity; and agitation.

The Benzodiazepine Protocol

One of the most common protocols used to treat withdrawal symptoms is using Benzodiazepine drugs such as chlordiazepoxide or Librium, which are considered to be very effective in relieving these symptoms. In administering Benzodiazepine drugs, there are different medication regimens for treatment. One of these is to administer the drug in gradual and tapering doses, which is the most common used regimen because it can prevent symptoms from occurring. Another regimen is to administer the drug only in times that the patient is exhibiting the symptoms. Another type of regimen is to give loading doses to the patient, wherein a patient is give a large dose of medication on the first day of treatment, which studies have shown can effectively mitigate the occurrence of withdrawal symptoms.

Alcohol detox is a medical procedure, and as such, relieving the symptoms that patients exhibit while undergoing it should also involve medical interventions. Some of the most effective of these interventions are detox protocols or treatments, which are ways by which medication is administered to patients to relive withdrawal symptoms.

Bookmark to:

Many detox products are currently on the market. They range from detox kits consisting of a diet plan with supplementary tonics and pills, to herbal pills containing herbs good for the various organs of the body.

There is no scientific evidence that detox products work, and neither have the producers of such products come forward to comply with tests. The only thing supporting such products is the glowing testimonials of various people who have used the products.

The human body is more than able to do a complete detoxification of itself. The detoxification process is a continuous process that takes place in the lungs, kidneys, liver, gastrointestinal tract, and the skin. Our immune system plays a major role in the elimination of the toxins from the body, too.

Simply speaking, many of the horrendous symptoms of a toxic buildup publicized by detox product companies like bloating and fatigue may be an indication of a poor diet, unhealthy lifestyle, or a lack of vital nutrients.

The diet plans presented in the detox kits are actually helpful. The suggestion of an increased water intake is very helpful to the human body. Almost all of the plans also suggest an increase in fruit and vegetable intake that is advisable.

These diet plans are widely and freely available. Increasing the intake of water makes the skin clearer, the strict dietary regimen will decrease bloating and lethargy, and the decrease in alcohol and caffeine intake will decrease the amount of headaches.

But some of the suggestions given in these dietary fads are confusing and not supported by any known proof, either scientific or otherwise, like not mixing fruit and vegetables in the same meal, avoiding pork, avoiding citrus fruits except lemon and eating after eight. Some diet plans also consider diary products as a strict no-no and go on to consider cheese and yogurt as a lunch option. Some of the stricter dietary regimens can cause harm to the body if undertaken for more than ten days.

Some of the known problems of going through a detox product diet range from chronic fatigue to short term concentration difficulties. Also, the diets suggested are often prohibitively priced, making them impractical for most people to follow.

Bookmark to: