Detox Information


Thanks to detoxification programs, those who suffer from addiction don’t have to suffer alone.

Detox – What is it?

Detoxification, or detox for short, focuses on removing toxic substances from the human body associated with alcohol and drugs. For addiction recovery from drugs and alcohol, detox is a method that aims to reduce the body’s dependency on certain substances by flushing them out of someone’s system entirely. This process marks a significant step on the road to rehabilitation.

Addiction plagues a large number of people from New Jersey each year, and we are experiencing a cultural shift that is reducing the stigma of drug and alcohol addiction. There were nearly 100,000 admissions into drug and alcohol rehabilitation centers in New Jersey alone just last year. These numbers are growing each year, meaning that people are gaining more access to the treatment that they deserve.

Thanks to detoxification programs, those who suffer from addiction don’t have to suffer alone. 

Halting substance abuse without professional medical assistance can have detrimental consequences on the physical and mental health of the patient in question. For those with severe substance abuse issues, quitting “cold turkey” with no supervision is seriously inadvisable due to harmful withdrawal symptoms. Detox plays a vital role in safely and completely managing withdrawal symptoms that can lead to pain, discomfort, or even death in patients who are not effectively looked after. This is one of the many reasons why treatment centers are recommended to those suffering from alcoholism, heroin or opiate dependence, and other addiction-related conditions. Trying to detox at home can be fatal, so don’t suffer alone.

Methods of detoxification can vary based on each patient, but all are focused on reducing the withdrawal symptoms to make stopping the substance use safer and easier. Programs are customized to meet the specific requirements of users, with their overall health and well-being in mind. Detox is considered a focal point by many leading experts in addiction that is crucial to the safety and long-term success of substance abuse treatment.

Why Medicated Detox?

Medications used during detox can offset the withdrawal symptoms of the substance or substances in question to make quitting safe.

Treatment Timeline

Assessment

Incoming patients can be screened for any underlying physical and mental health issues that will affect their treatment. Tailoring the treatment to their needs with their backgrounds in mind, we can offer a more personalized experience for each patient. If a patient requires detoxification services, we will happily refer them to a professional, licensed, and insurance friendly facility that can treat them for detoxification before returning to the Excel Treatment Center for outpatient or appropriate inpatient treatment.

Withdrawal – Overview and Symptoms

Withdrawal is the body’s way of reacting to the discontinuation or cessation of a substance that has been used frequently over a period of time. In general, the longer the period of time a substance is used for, and the higher the dosage, the more severe withdrawal symptoms will be. The body is shocked that the substance is not there, and the symptoms that occur afterward can be very uncomfortable for the person in question. These symptoms can vary widely in severity but will ultimately be very taxing on the body and mind of the user if not treated properly.

Physical Symptoms:

  • Headaches
  • Sweating/Chills
  • Increased heart rate
  • Increased blood pressure
  • Nausea, diarrhea, vomiting
  • Muscle and bone aches
  • Fatigue

Physiological Symptoms:

  • Depression
  • Insomnia
  • Anxiety
  • Poor concentration
  • Poor memory
  • Irritability
  • Paranoia
  • Severe mood swings
  • Extreme cravings for the substance

Severe & Dangerous Symptoms:

  • Heart attack
  • Seizure
  • Stroke
  • Delirium
  • Hallucinations
Medication and Withdrawal Reduction

Working to reduce the severity of withdrawal symptoms through medication, we support our patients’ needs by filling the void with tested practices. While there are no medications that will eliminate all symptoms of withdrawal, there are certain ones that target specific areas, like anxiety and depression, insomnia, and paranoia.

Supervision and Support System

With around the clock patient supervision and care, our partners will work to ensure the needs of each patient are met, and they will receive the attention they need to recover properly. Detox, as the first step to rehabilitation, will generally take 7-10 days, depending on a variety of factors.

These factors include:

  • The severity of withdrawal symptoms
  • The type drugs used
  • Severity and length of addiction
Call us today to learn more about detox programs and the incredible partners we work with to provide personalized care and attention.