Drug and Alcohol Detox

What to Expect During Detox

What is Addiction Withdrawal?

Withdrawal will sometimes involve both emotional and physical symptoms as the body adjusts to decreasing levels of drugs or alcohol in the bloodstream.

What is a Medically Assisted Detox Program?

A Medically Assisted Detox (MAD) program is the first step in many addiction treatment programs. It involves safely removing addictive substances from the body under the supervision of medical professionals. This is done to manage withdrawal symptoms, which can be very uncomfortable and even dangerous.

Detoxification alone is not considered addiction treatment, but rather a necessary first step to prepare someone for therapy and other interventions. During medically assisted detox, medications are used to help ease withdrawal symptoms and cravings. This can make the detox process more manageable and increase the chances of a person staying in treatment.

Medically assisted detox programs typically take place in a hospital or residential treatment facility. They can last anywhere from a few days to a week, depending on the severity of the addiction and the individual’s needs.

Symptoms of Detox

Symptoms vary with each individual and will depend on the type of substance and the length of use.

• Emotional symptoms can include anxiety, restlessness, insomnia, and depression.
• Physical symptoms associated with withdrawal can include nausea, diarrhea, sweating, and chest pain. 

24/7 Monitoring & Withdrawal Management

Fortunately, you don’t have to go through any of this alone. When the detox process begins, individual therapists will be standing by to offer support. Trained nurses are available 24/7 to ensure your physical and mental well-being and guide you through the withdrawal experience. Pharmacological interventions may also be used if necessary.

How long does the detox process last?

Most clients finish detox within the first five days of entering Wooded Glen Recovery Center and are then able to join the community for group work, counseling, and activities.

For some people, the symptoms of withdrawal may persist for 24 to 72 hours. Others may find themselves dealing with withdrawal symptoms for several weeks. And in a few extreme cases, the detoxification process may be ongoing for months or even years as the body recuperates from the damage caused by drugs or alcohol. The support and guidance of a trained treatment team is the best way to address the symptoms no matter how long they last.

What are the Steps After Detox?

Once the drugs or alcohol are out of your system, the focus of your treatment shifts to rehabilitation. During your residential treatment, you and your caregivers will work on developing the skills you will need to handle triggers, cravings, and stressors that may put you at risk for relapse. Over time, the goal is to build resilience and self-confidence that can help you maintain your sobriety.

Individual and group therapy are important components of this phase of treatment—as is the treatment of any co-occurring disorders or trauma that may be contributing factors to your substance use disorder.

Recovery centers like Wooded Glen also provide family programming to help repair relationships and provide ideas for showing support, access to 12-step groups, and a holistic approach to treatment that is grounded in the idea that the mind, body, and spirit are interconnected.