Detox Centers in Cook County

Medically supervised withdrawal and drug detoxification can be a safe and effective way to begin your recovery from substance abuse issues.

What is Drug Detoxification?

Drug detox is the natural process by which the body eliminates a substance. However, a professional drug detox program, also known as “medically managed withdrawal,” entails the use of a variety of interventions (such as medications and other therapies) to safely manage the withdrawal symptoms associated with drug cessation.

What Are the Adverse Effects of Drug Detoxification?

Those undergoing drug detox may experience withdrawal symptoms and side effects. While the specific side effects will vary according to the substance being detoxed, common drug detox side effects may include the following:

Mood swings, anxiety, depression, and agitation are all examples of mood changes.
Changes in the body, including flu-like symptoms, shaking, nausea, and headaches.
Cravings, particularly for the substance from which they are attempting to abstain.

Should I Go to a Sober Living Home After Detox?

Sober living homes offer more flexibility than inpatient treatment centers. Most individuals complete 28 to 30 days of residential treatment (including detox) and some even longer. Sober living could be a part of it. Since every person is different, it’s important to discuss your scenario with your addiction counselor to make sure you make a sound decision.

How Long Is Detox From Drugs?

The majority of patients complete a drug detox program within a week. How long drug detox takes varies according to a variety of factors, including the type of drugs used, the amount of the drug used, the length of time the person used, and the person’s overall health.

Which Medications Are Administered During the Detoxification Process?

Several medications commonly used in drug detox can aid in the alleviation of withdrawal symptoms. The medication will vary according to the substance and may include the following:

• Methadone
• Buprenorphine
• Naltrexone
• Acamprosate
• Disulfiram

Non- Medical or “Social” Detoxification

Social detox, which is a non-medical form of detox, entails the individual abruptly discontinuing drug use—basically going “cold turkey” while under the supervision of treatment professionals. This social model of detox entails professionals providing emotional and psychological support to the patient throughout the withdrawal process but refraining from prescribing medications to manage symptoms and complications.

While this method has the potential to assist individuals in successfully withdrawing from psychoactive substances, it is not without its drawbacks. The possibility of an unpleasant withdrawal syndrome is perhaps the most significant obstacle to natural detox, as an individual must endure several potentially uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms as their body adjusts to a drug-free state. Depending on the drug, withdrawal symptoms can be severe, causing significant distress and, in some cases, putting the individual in medical danger. As a result, individuals may relapse to alleviate their symptoms and drug cravings.

Overdosing is a significant risk factor for relapse. After a prolonged period of abstinence, a person’s tolerance decreases significantly, which means they no longer require as much of the drug as they once did. Many individuals who relapse return to the dose they abused previously, which can result in an accidental, and potentially fatal, overdose.

Other risks associated with enrolling in a natural detox program include the possibility of developing psychological problems during withdrawal and, subsequent, a diminished capacity to manage such problems effectively. Frequently, withdrawal syndromes from a variety of substances—including opioids, stimulants, and benzodiazepines—include mental health symptoms such as depression, suicidal ideation or attempt, anxiety, delirium, emotional blunting, and insomnia.1

During withdrawal, medical complications are possible. Natural or social detoxification is generally not recommended for the management of withdrawal from alcohol, benzodiazepines, barbiturates, or opioids for humanitarian and safety reasons. 2 When an individual discontinues use of these substances, the withdrawal symptoms are frequently painful and, with the exception of those associated with opioids, potentially fatal.

Medical Detoxification

Unlike the “natural” method, medical detox involves the administration of medication and medical treatment to prevent and treat complications. As previously stated, withdrawing from alcohol, benzodiazepines, and barbiturates alone can be dangerous due to the risk of experiencing severe symptoms. Seizures may occur, necessitating immediate medical attention, which may be unavailable in a social detox program. Additionally, withdrawal can result in delirium, a confused, agitated state in which the individual may have hallucinations and exhibit dangerous, unpredictable behaviors.

Consciousness and cognition disturbances can result in accidents, erratic behavior, and even violence. If you are dependent on one of these substances, medical detox can assist you in remaining safe during withdrawal. For instance, medical intervention with benzodiazepines or anticonvulsants may be initiated to avert some of the complications of alcohol withdrawal.

While withdrawal from opioids such as heroin is generally not dangerous medically, it can cause severe discomfort, to the point where many people relapse to alleviate the painful symptoms. As a result, medical detoxification may be beneficial for those who are dependent on these drugs. Medication-assisted treatment (MAT), which entails the administration of medications to alleviate withdrawal symptoms and cravings, is a critical component of opioid medical detox. The medications are used to alleviate withdrawal symptoms, curb cravings, and prevent medical complications.

They include various types of medications for the treatment of addiction:

• Methadone: This fully agonistic opioid binds to and activates opioid receptors in the brain, reducing cravings and unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Methadone is administered as an orally disintegrating wafer, an oral concentrate liquid, or a pill to treat opioid dependence. It is only available through opioid treatment programs (OTPs).
• Buprenorphine: This partial opioid agonist has a milder opioid effect than a full agonist such as methadone. It may be prescribed by physicians who have been authorized to prescribe buprenorphine for the treatment of opioid dependence. Suboxone is a medication that combines buprenorphine and naloxone, an opioid antagonist. This combination formula contributes to the reduction of medication abuse.

Both methadone and buprenorphine may be used solely for detoxification purposes or as part of a maintenance management program to prevent relapse. Naltrexone is another MAT drug that is used in a maintenance capacity. This opioid antagonist interferes with the pleasurable effects of opioids. When someone on naltrexone uses an opioid, they will not feel euphoric. It is available as a pill or as Vivitrol, an extended-release intramuscular suspension. When used in conjunction with behavioral therapy, opioid dependence medications can aid in preventing relapse and promoting long-term sobriety.

Is Ultra Rapid Detox a Safe Method of Detoxification?

Ultra rapid detoxification, which promotes its ability to alleviate the symptoms of opioid withdrawal, is a contentious procedure that can have dangerous consequences.

A person undergoing rapid detox is sedated and given medication (such as naltrexone) to initiate the withdrawal process. The individual will theoretically not experience the full spectrum of painful withdrawal symptoms while under anesthesia. Rapid detoxification may appear appealing to those who are fearful of enduring these symptoms. 7 However, one disadvantage of this method is that the duration of withdrawal varies significantly between individuals and is complicated further by the combination of medications administered. As a result, many people awaken in the throes of withdrawal, experiencing severe symptoms for several days following the procedure.

Certain patients may withhold information about pre-existing health problems during medical and psychiatric screenings in order to obtain approval for rapid detox, which can have dire consequences.

According to researchers, there is no evidence to support the use of anesthesia-assisted detox to manage opioid withdrawal. Additionally, there are numerous risks associated with rapid detox. These dangers include the following:

• Mental health problems such as bipolar disorder
• panic attacks
• depression are exacerbated.
• Diabetes-related metabolic complications.
• Inflammation of the lungs due to fluid accumulation.
• Individuals with preexisting conditions such as AIDS, heart disease, hepatitis, prior pneumonia, elevated blood sugar, insulin-dependent diabetes, and psychiatric disorders are at an increased risk of experiencing adverse effects. Certain patients may withhold information about pre-existing health problems during medical and psychiatric screenings in order to obtain approval for rapid detox, which can have dire consequences.
• Patients who underwent anesthesia-assisted rapid opioid detox (AAROD) experienced complications ranging from cardiac arrhythmias to rhabdomyolysis, according to case reports. If your health is already compromised for any reason, AAROD can result in particularly serious and even life-threatening complications. 9

How to Find a Good Detox Center in Cook County, Illinois?

If you’re considering enrolling in a detox program but are unsure where to begin, you can always ask your physician or therapist for recommendations on local facilities. After receiving recommendations, you’ll want to conduct your own research into the various types of detox services available. It’s critical to establish your treatment priorities in order to find the program that is the best fit for you. Among the questions you may wish to ask when contacting various detox programs are the following:

• Which method of detoxification is used (social vs. medical)?
• What is the average duration of the program?
• How much does the program cost?
• Is insurance accepted by the program? If so, what are your plans?
• What are the staff members’ credentials?
• What facilities and services are available?
• Are the rooms private or shared?
• Is the treatment team assisting patients in making the transition to addiction treatment?