What Is Drug and Alcohol Detox in California?
The process of detox involves removing drugs or alcohol from the personโs body. We understand that each person has unique needs during this process, so we provide personalized treatment plans to address each personโs drug abuse issues and potential underlying mental health conditions.
While detox itself doesn’t treat the underlying causes of drug addiction or alcohol use disorder, it’s a necessary first step to prepare someone for the long-term recovery process. After the body is stabilized, they can move on to more comprehensive treatment and therapy that addresses the psychological and behavioral aspects of addiction.
Medication-Assisted Treatment
Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) combines medications with counseling and behavioral therapies to address substance use disorders. By using prescription medications, MAT helps reduce symptoms of withdrawal and cravings, making the detox process more manageable for individuals.
Medications are also used to treat co-occurring disorders – where a patient has a drug or alcohol addiction in addition to a mental health disorder. This approach helps with the physical and emotional challenges of withdrawal.
Detox in California: The Detoxification Process
Detox isnโt easy, especially for adolescents and adults dealing with withdrawal. Thatโs why itโs so important to go through the medical detox process at a licensed detox center where medical support is available every step of the way. At pH Wellness our alcohol and drug detox involves three main components:
Evaluation
During the evaluation phase at our detox recovery center, healthcare professionals test for the presence of drugs and alcohol in the individual’s system. This part of the process may also involve questionnaires and interviews to identify co-occurring medical and mental health conditions. Itโs essential that all underlying health concerns are recognized upfront because these can impact addiction treatment plans significantly.
Stabilization
The stabilization phase involves providing appropriate medical and psychological interventions to the patient. Medical professionals use prescription medications to alleviate the discomfort of withdrawal symptoms and ensure no emergency medical issues arise.
Detox in California typically lasts between 5 and 7 days, though this timeframe can vary depending on the substance and severity of dependence. pH Wellness offers around-the-clock medical surveillance and attention throughout the detox phase, ensuring clients receive constant monitoring so we can treat any emergent needs or concerns.
Fostering Entry Into Treatment
Once a patient’s withdrawal symptoms are stabilized, the focus shifts to the next stage of substance abuse treatment. At this point, our staff helps prepare the individual for their next steps in recovery. This includes educating patients about what to expect during inpatient or outpatient treatment programs and helping them decide on the appropriate level of care.
Drug and Alcohol Symptoms of Withdrawal
Drug or alcohol withdrawal involves symptoms that can range from mild to life-threatening. Our medical detox clinic provides 24-hour monitoring and medication management to alleviate these symptoms. Symptoms can vary based on the substance, and often include the following:
- Alcohol Withdrawal: Alcohol withdrawal often begins 6 to 24 hours after the last drink. Early symptoms include tremors, headache, nausea, and anxiety. More severe symptoms like seizures, hallucinations, and delirium tremens may emerge in later stages.
- Opioid Withdrawal: Opioid withdrawal from fentanyl, heroin, and prescription painkillers starts within 6 to 12 hours of last use. Early symptoms include agitation, muscle aches, insomnia, and runny nose. Later stages may bring vomiting, diarrhea, intense cravings, and changes in body temperature.
- Stimulant Withdrawal: Stimulant withdrawal from drugs like cocaine and methamphetamine produces depression, fatigue, insomnia, and slowed thinking. Strong cravings and anhedonia often persist for weeks.
- Marijuana Withdrawal: Marijuana withdrawal causes anxiety, tremors, chills, headache, and digestive issues, with the most intense period being the first 1 to 3 weeks. Cravings, irritability, and sleep difficulties may last for months.
- Benzodiazepine Withdrawal: Benzodiazepine withdrawal can begin in as little as 6 hours. Anxiety, panic attacks, seizures, psychosis, and rebound insomnia are common symptoms. When not handled by a professional, benzo withdrawal can lead to seizures and be fatal.
No matter what substance you’ve been using, it’s essential to seek professional treatment for withdrawal symptoms, as they can be incredibly uncomfortable and dangerous.
Medically Supervised Detox in California
Whether you’re a teen or an adult, starting treatment at a rehab center often begins with detox. For many, going through alcohol or drug detox in California is the first real step toward recovery, one that lays the groundwork for everything that follows. There are many reasons why detox at a drug and alcohol rehab center is such a critical part of the treatment process, especially when itโs done in a medically supervised setting. Some of these include:
Safe Environment
The symptoms of withdrawal associated with drug or alcohol cessation can be severe and, in some cases, life-threatening. Delirium tremens (DT), a severe form of drug withdrawal, can cause hallucinations, seizures, and cardiovascular disturbances. Professional medical supervision during detoxification ensures the individual is in a safe place and allows for the appropriate management of any health issues that arise.
Setting the Foundation for an Addiction Treatment Program
Detox prepares the individual for further drug and alcohol addiction treatment. If an individual is experiencing uncomfortable and dangerous withdrawal symptoms, it’s difficult for them to focus on anything else.
Reducing Relapse Risk
The discomfort of drug withdrawal often drives individuals back to drug or alcohol use in an attempt to alleviate the signs and symptoms they experience when they stop using. When a person is in a residential detox facility, they won’t feel as much discomfort, so this is less likely. They also won’t have access to drugs or alcohol.
Addressing Underlying Mental Health Issues That Lead to Substance Abuse
Treatment at a detox clinic allows professionals to assess the individual’s physical and mental health comprehensively. This assessment helps medical providers and clients identify underlying mental illnesses, like depression, anxiety, or trauma, that might contribute to a substance use disorder and the need for dual diagnosis treatment. Addressing these factors and obtaining mental health care is essential for sustained recovery.
Substance Use Disorder Treatment After Detox
Detox in California is an essential aspect of getting sober, but further substance abuse treatment from a recovery center is necessary for lasting recovery. Continuity of care is essential to building a solid foundation for recovery and preventing relapse. Addiction treatment at a drug rehab or alcohol rehab provides individuals with the tools, resources, and support necessary to navigate the challenges of recovery.
Through individual and family therapy, counseling, cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, support groups, and education, individuals can learn more about their addictive behaviors and develop coping mechanisms to maintain sobriety. Some of the benefits of recovery in the peaceful environment of our residential facility include:
- Developing skills to handle triggers, stress, and cravings
- Uncovering and resolving underlying issues leading to addiction
- Achieving lasting lifestyle changes through counseling
- Establishing a strong sober support network
- Learning to enjoy life again in sobriety
Without treatment, many individuals return to drug use after detox.
If you or a loved one are struggling with substance use disorder, contact us to speak with a caring intake specialist.
Treatment Options After Detox in California
The first step after detox is often to enter a rehab program that fits your needs and circumstances. While not every individual requires the same level of care, understanding the main treatment options available in California can help guide your next steps.
Inpatient Rehab
Inpatient treatment involvesย living at a treatment facilityย for 30 to 90 days while engaging in intensive counseling, group therapy, medical care, holistic services, and other treatments. Our residential treatment center in Riverside is suited for those with more severe addictions or co-occurring disorders.
Partial Hospitalization Program
Partial hospitalization programs (PHP) provide treatment intensity and structure similar to residential programs but allow individuals to return home at night. This option is ideal for those who are leaving inpatient treatment or who can’t commit to living at a facility.
Intensive Outpatient Programs
Intensive outpatient programs (IOP) are step-down treatment programs after inpatient rehab or PHP, involving 9+ hours of weekly treatment. An intensive outpatient program bridges the transition to living independently in recovery. bridges the transition to living independently in recovery.
Standard Outpatient Treatment Programs
These programs offer the least intensive outpatient treatment option. In standard outpatient rehab, clients attend structured programming once or twice per week, focusing on recovery and relapse prevention.
Aftercare
This involves ongoing support for individuals after treatment, including regular check-ins with therapists, support groups, and continued engagement with alumni recovery resources to ensure long-term success and stability in sobriety.
Choosing the right addiction treatment optionย after detox in California depends on the individual’s substance abuse history, co-occurring disorders, home environment, motivation, and other factors. To figure out the most suitable treatment option for you or a loved one, contact our rehab center by calling (888) 707-3880. Our drug rehab and detox center serves clients from across the United States and is easily accessible to those in Southern California and Northern California, including Los Angeles, Riverside, Rancho Mirage, San Diego, Orange County, Santa Cruz, San Francisco, and surrounding areas.
