People who have never struggled with addiction may be inclined to think that a person who wants to enter recovery can just stop using substances, and they may not see the necessity of medically supervised detox. At The Pavilion, in Williamsburg, Virginia, we want to ensure that people understand why detoxing at home might not be a good idea for everyone and how medically supervised detox can help.
A Picture of Withdrawal
Imagine for a moment that someone you love is displaying the following medical symptoms:
- Anxiety
- Uncontrollable shaking
- Headache
- Nausea and vomiting
- Inability to sleep
- Hallucinations
- Seizures
- Rapid heart rate
- Diarrhea
- Sweating
You wouldn’t hesitate to rush them to the hospital—because symptoms like these are serious and alarming.
Now consider this: These are also common symptoms of drug or alcohol withdrawal. When someone who is dependent on a substance suddenly stops using, their body can go into a state of distress that is not only agonizing but potentially life-threatening.
Just because these symptoms are linked to addiction doesn’t make them any less real—or any less dangerous.
Going through detox without medical support doesn’t make recovery more successful. In fact, it can increase the risk of relapse, as the person may turn back to substance use in a desperate attempt to stop the pain.
How Supervised Detox Can Help
While some people do prefer to detox at home or their insurance will not cover detoxing in a medical setting, and it can be safe in certain cases, there are some definite benefits to medically supervised detox, such as:
- Medications that can reduce discomfort and cravings cannot always be sent home.
- Professionals who are trained in treating substance use disorders can help patients to taper their use, rather than stopping cold turkey, which is safer and usually reduces discomfort during detox.
- Treatment programs have the ability to ensure that there is always someone with the person in withdrawal, which isn’t always possible, if friends and family members need to work or attend to other obligations.
- There is always someone on hand who is trained to monitor vitals and manage seizures, dehydration, and other dangerous side effects of withdrawal, when you may not be able to call for help yourself if you are at home.
- While a person who detoxes at home can go to the nearest emergency room for help if they need it, staff who specialize in treating substance use disorders are better trained than emergency room medical teams in managing detox-specific issues. They are also less likely to believe common myths about addiction that may bias their ability to provide quality care.
People Who Should Never Detox at Home
It is not recommended for people to detox outside of a medically supervised setting if:
- They don’t have a support person who can stay with them, make sure they are safe, and get them medical care if they suddenly need it
- They have a history of seizures when abstaining
- They have engaged in problematic or long-term use
- They are suicidal
- They have significant medical issues
What to Expect After Detox
Each person’s recovery journey is different. Once a person has gotten through the detox phase, the most common next step is a long-term substance abuse treatment program. This might be inpatient or outpatient, depending on the individual needs of the client. Often, group and individual therapy, case management, and aftercare planning are part of treatment.
Additionally, many people join a recovery group, such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), Narcotics Anonymous (NA), or SMART Recovery, to get support from other people who have struggled with addiction and built lives grounded in recovery. Sometimes, people will live in a sober living program after they finish treatment, especially if they don’t have a home environment that is supportive of their sobriety or is unstable.
At The Pavilion, we offer detox services that include a comprehensive evaluation, supportive environment, medication management, group therapy, psychoeducation, case management and discharge, and aftercare planning, to ensure that our patients continue to have the support they need to maintain their recovery after they leave our program. Our team addresses chemical dependency issues with compassion, respect, and honesty. Our facility accepts most forms of insurance, including Medicare and some Medicaid managed care plans, making it easier for people who need help to get it.
