When you are addicted to drugs or alcohol, your brain and body begin to rely on the substance to function properly. As a result, if you suddenly stop consuming the substance, you will experience withdrawal symptoms. While the intensity and the symptoms you experience will depend on what substance you are addicted to, you should never attempt to overcome withdrawal alone.
Some cases of withdrawal can lead to life-threatening symptoms, especially if you are abusing alcohol, benzodiazepines, or opioids. Even if your symptoms are not life-threatening, they can be incredibly uncomfortable or painful. Without medical assistance, experiencing withdrawal could cause you to relapse.
This is why you should always attend a drug and alcohol detox center. These treatment programs offer medications and treatments that lessen the symptoms of withdrawal and help you prepare for inpatient or outpatient treatment.
If you are looking for a detox center in California, choose a reputable one. When considering your treatment options, you should pick a licensed detox center that hires qualified staff members, offers individual treatment planning, uses medically assisted services, provides access to mental health care, and more.
In this article, you will learn:
- Why drug and alcohol detox is important
- The risks of detoxing at home
- How to choose a detox program in California
Why is Drug and Alcohol Detox Important?
Substance use disorders can be difficult to recover from. One of the first hurdles you’ll have to overcome is withdrawal. While the symptoms of withdrawal differ greatly depending on what drug you were addicted to, everyone experiences intense cravings and urges. If you were to go through withdrawal at your home, that means you’ll have to white knuckle through potent urges to abuse drugs.
Because the addiction relapse rate is between 40 and 60%, being at home while you experience withdrawal cravings could cause you to return to substance abuse.[1] If you were sober for at least a few days, you probably lost your tolerance for the drug. Taking the dose you were accustomed to could lead to a life-threatening overdose.
Thankfully, detox and rehab facilities can help you overcome the withdrawal phase of recovery through medications and evidence-based treatments. You’ll also have access to 24/7 support, which means you’ll never have to go through your cravings alone.
Tips for Choosing a Detox Center in California
Detox treatment programs are not always created equal. Some programs might be better than others. If you’ve never attended a detox program before, you might not know how to determine which one is right for you.
When choosing a detox center in California, look for the following qualities:
Licensing and Qualified Staff Members
The first thing you should consider is whether the rehab program is licensed. Detox centers can obtain licenses through their state to prove that they are trustworthy and operating under the necessary standards of care. For example, at Costa Mesa, we are licensed by the State Department of Health Care Services.
Additionally, you want to find a facility that hires qualified staff members. Detox is a medical program, which means you should be receiving care from licensed nurses and doctors who specialize in addiction medicine. You should also look for programs that hire addiction counselors, psychologists, and psychiatrists.
Individualized Treatment Planning
Some addiction treatment programs use a one-size-fits-all approach. While this might work for some people, it is best to have a treatment plan that is tailored to your needs. If you choose a drug and alcohol detox center that uses in-depth assessments to create their treatment plan, you can rest assured that the services you engage in will be based on your needs and goals for long-term recovery.
Medically-Assisted Services
Another thing to consider is whether the detox program is medically assisted. You want to choose a facility that offers medications to lessen the severity of your symptoms and relieve cravings. These programs make the detox process painless, comfortable, and safe.
You should also ensure that they use safe prescribing practices. To explain, this means a doctor will run your bloodwork and review your history before giving you medication to ensure that it is safe for you to take. Safe prescribing practices also include regular check-ins to determine if you need a change in your medication or dosage.
Access to Mental Health Care
Drug and alcohol withdrawal can lead to psychological symptoms like depression, anxiety, mood swings, and insomnia. Because of this, you must choose a program that provides access to mental health care.
Even further, many people struggle with co-occurring mental health disorders. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), 21.5 million adults have co-occurring disorders.[2] If you struggle with mental health and addiction at the same time, you’ll need a detox center that offers dual-diagnosis treatment.
Insurance Options
Lastly, you want to pick a detox program that accepts your health insurance. Some programs do not take insurance at all, while others accept a wide range of plans to ensure that their treatment services are accessible to a wide range of clientele.
At Costa Mesa Detox, we accept a variety of insurance plans, including:
- Anthem
- Beacon
- Healthnet
- United Healthcare
- Cigna
- Aetna
- Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Tricare
- The Holman Group
- And more!
Get Connected to a Top-Rated Detox Program in California
If you or a loved one suffers from drug or alcohol addiction, it’s time to seek professional help. The first step in recovery is medical detox. At Costa Mesa Detox, we offer medically-assisted services to ensure you are safe and comfortable throughout the process.
Contact us today for more information on why you should choose our detox program in California.
References:
- The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA): The Science of Addiction Treatment and Recovery
- The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA): Co-Occurring Disorders and Other Health Conditions
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