Medical Detox Centers in Lawrence, MA

Medical Detox Centers in Lawrence is intended to safely reduce the more severe symptoms associated with stopping drug use. Medical detox programs operate under the medical supervision and may include certain prescription medications that can help alleviate the worst of any acute symptoms of withdrawal.

While the medical detox process can make it easier for a person recovering from drug addiction to get through withdrawal, it is only the first stage in a comprehensive treatment program.

What is Medical Detox?

Medical detox programs are specialized treatments that help a recovering addict get through withdrawal from drugs. The actual prescription medications that may be administered will vary, depend on the type of drug that was being taken. For example, a person detoxing from opiate drugs may be given Suboxone or methadone to help make the withdrawal process more manageable until the person is clean.

By comparison, a person detoxing from tranquilizer drugs may need to have their current doses tapered down slowly under medical supervision. People quitting stimulant drugs, such as cocaine or methamphetamine may need to quit by going ‘cold turkey', but with help from medical detox programs the symptoms of withdrawal can be reduced and managed safely.

While there are no FDA-approved medications to treat withdrawal from stimulant or tranquilizer drugs, there are some prescription medications that can be administered to treat the worst of any symptoms that do emerge.

For instance, some people may benefit from being treated with antidepressants, anticonvulsants, or anti-anxiety medications. For recovering alcoholics, anti-seizure medications may be given to reduce the risk of developing potentially life-threatening withdrawal symptoms during detox.

Withdrawal Symptoms Associated with Medical Detox

The actual withdrawal symptoms a recovering person will experience can vary, depending on the type of drug being taken. If the person is withdrawing through Medical Detox Centers in Lawrence, the worst symptoms can be dramatically reduced. The result is that the person is able to complete the detox process safely and without the risk of developing some of the more dangerous symptoms that can arise.

Why Is It Dangerous to Detox at Home?

Far too many people believe they can simply detox from drugs or alcohol at home. Drug addiction in Lawrence is a serious matter, though, and these people need intervention in order to become sober. They think they only need to endure a couple of uncomfortable days of withdrawal symptoms before they'll somehow be cured of their addiction.

What many people don't realize is that detox is only the first stage in the recovery process. Detox only eliminates the effects of the drug from the body. It does nothing to address the underlying psychological reasons behind addictive behaviors.

A person trying to detox at home is already surrounded by the same people and places that are strongly associated with substance abuse. The risk of giving into temptation and returning back to a pattern of addictive drug use is greatly increased.

There is also an increased risk of accidental overdose. If the person has been detoxing for a couple of days and then relapses, it's likely that the body's tolerance levels have been reduced. If the user tries to take similar doses to what was being taken previous, they risk of overdosing is heightened.

Types of Medical Detox Centers in Lawrence

There are essentially two types of medical detox and addiction treatment programs in Lawrence available: inpatient and outpatient.

The outpatient medical detox process involves checking in with addiction specialists each day to receive medications. A doctor supervises the patient's progress through detox but has no control over what the person does when they leave the rehab center. As a result, the entire medical detox process can take several weeks to complete.

By comparison, inpatient medical detox centers in Lawrence requires the recovering person to reside at the residential treatment center for the duration of treatment. The person has the advantage of medical supervision around-the-clock, which reduces the risk of dangerous withdrawal symptoms emerging and also reduces the risk of relapse.

It's common for the medical detox process to be completed faster in an inpatient treatment facility, as the person is in the care of addiction specialists that are able to manage any adverse symptoms that may emerge.

Who Should Enter a Medical Detox Center?

Anyone who wants to regain control over their lives and break free from addiction should seek help for medical detox in Lawrence. The medical detox process offers supervision and safety for anyone who is serious about breaking free from the grip of addiction.

Once the detox process is complete, addiction specialists can then begin a comprehensive course of treatment and therapy to begin addressing the psychological side of addictive behaviors. By the time the person graduates from rehab, they should be armed with all the tools and resources needed to remain clean and sober. Call Lawrence Alcohol Rehab Centers now for help (877) 804-1531.