To conquer a drug or alcohol addiction, most patients follow the path of detox and then rehab. It’s important to understand that detox and rehab are two separate processes on the road to recovery.
In short, detox is the process of ridding your body of drugs or alcohol. Rehab, on the other hand, is about addressing the underlying issues that led to addiction in the first place.
While they may occasionally be offered by the same facility, many patients prefer to attend detox centers and then move to a longer-term rehab facility. Separating the two can mean better quality, targeted medical attention and a greater chance at lasting sobriety for patients.
If you’d like to learn more about what an inpatient detox center can do, call us today at 866.294.5306 for more information.
What Happens at Detox Centers?
First, it’s a good idea to get a better understanding of what takes place at a detox center. For patients battling addiction, this is the very first step on the road to becoming sober. Detox centers are medical facilities where patients spend anywhere from a few days to two weeks dealing with withdrawal symptoms.
At detox, patients are able to break free from their physical dependency on drugs or alcohol. Although this is a challenging step, those attending detox will have medical professionals offering them around-the-clock care to help minimize discomfort and greatly reduce any health risks.
Detoxing from drugs or alcohol can take anywhere from a few days to a week. The length of time will depend on the substance you’re addicted to and the severity of your addiction. Once the detox process is complete, you’ll be able to move on to rehab.
Skipping detox, and opting to go cold turkey, is more than just difficult. It can also be a very risky move, thanks to the potential for complications related to withdrawal symptoms. Things ranging from hallucinations to extreme dehydration and rapid heartbeats are all potential withdrawal symptoms. Therefore, it’s wise to let medical professionals in a detox facility treat them.
What Happens at Rehab?
After detox is complete, patients are free from the worst withdrawal symptoms related to their substance abuse. This means that they’re ready to explore the reasons for their addiction, any underlying trauma or dual-diagnosis concerns that need to be examined and their greatest concerns about sobriety.
Rehab is a time when patients are able to develop coping mechanisms and strategies for handling the temptations and struggles of addiction. Some of the techniques used in rehab include:
- Group counseling: This allows patients to share their experiences and learn from each other.
- Individual therapy: Provides a more personal setting for exploring the issues underlying addiction.
- Dialectical behavioral therapy: This approach helps patients learn how to regulate their emotions and tolerate distress.
Patients might also begin exploring sober living and the transition to a healthy, independent life after rehab.
Why Should Detox Centers and Rehabs be Separate?
While it’s not impossible to offer detox and rehab in the same facility, separating the two often yields many benefits. Some of the advantages of attending distinct and separate detox and rehab centers include the following.
- Detox facilities can focus entirely on immediate medical attention
- Rehab facilities can focus on therapy and treatment methods
- Professionals at both will be experts in their fields
- Patients can progress and move from step one to step two
There’s no good reason to delay getting treatment for an addiction. Therefore, it’s time to begin the path to recovery at a reputable detox center. Call 866.294.5306 to learn more about Serenity House Detox & Recovery in Florida and how to transform your life into one full of happiness, health and sobriety.
