Tag Archives: addiction treatment

Arizona Drug Detox

Arizona Drug Detox

Quitting drugs and alcohol for good is next to impossible without professional help. Addiction is a serious brain disease that no amount of sheer willpower can conquer.

All of us at Desert Mountain Detox, a specialized Arizona drug detox facility, are glad that you’re reading. Staying clean and sober is a lifelong journey. Detox is only the first step, but it’s an important one. Please know that you can lean on us as you start on a better path.

Why Detox is So Important

Powerful cravings for alcohol or drugs are tough to resist on your own. The physical and psychological urges to use are simply too strong. Rarely does anyone with a serious problem overcome them without detox.

Your chances of healing are much greater if your body is stabilized and your mind is clear before you dive into therapy. You should be able to fully focus on your treatment without distractions or the physical discomfort of withdrawal.

Depending on the severity and length of your addiction, it could take several days to flush out the toxins that have built up in your system. It’s a physically and emotionally trying time. The worst way to go through it is alone in your own bed.

This is time best spent in the care of experienced professionals. Our trained staff members will closely monitor your condition and offer emotional support in a calming, restful and safe environment.

Thinking About Detoxing On Your Own?

Withdrawal from some drugs can be painful or even dangerous. Alcohol, opioids and benzodiazepines, for instance, should never be stopped suddenly without medical supervision. The outcome could be life-threatening.

Symptoms vary depending on your drug of choice, but you could experience a few or all of these to some degree:

  • Headache
  • Muscle aches
  • Nausea, vomiting or diarrhea
  • Fever
  • Chills
  • Uncontrollable shaking
  • Irregular heart rate or racing pulse
  • Seizures
  • Insomnia
  • Confusion
  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Hallucinations
  • Paranoia
  • Suicidal thoughts

You’re also likely to be dehydrated and lacking valuable nutrients that will strengthen you for the journey ahead. Compulsive drug-seeking and a healthy diet don’t exactly go hand in hand. You’ll pick up great tips on eating well as your treatment continues.

All things considered, an inpatient program for detox is safer and far more effective than suffering on your own.

How Medicines Can Help

The best detox programs are comprehensive. The goal is to get you in top shape for treatment, and a number of approaches can be used.

Medications may be introduced to ease cravings, alleviate symptoms or help you relax. Certain medicines are approved by the government for use during withdrawal from specific drug habits. Every drug is unique, and what works for alcohol abuse may not work for painkiller abuse.

Any drugs that are dispensed have gone through rigorous testing and are safe for most clients. All the same, you’ll be watched closely for unexpected reactions or side effects.

For addiction to heroin and opioid pain relievers, you might be given methadone, suboxone or antidepressants.

Acamprosate, disulfiram, naltrexone, anti-nausea medication and antidepressants are sometimes used to help with alcohol withdrawal.

If you’re hooked on meth, cocaine or meds for ADHD, modafinil, antidepressants or antipsychotics may provide short-term relief during withdrawal.

For a problem with sedatives and tranquilizers, short-acting benzodiazepines are substituted for long-acting ones.

The Role of Detox in an Overall Treatment Plan

It sounds crazy when you’re still thinking 24/7 about drugs or alcohol, but many recovering addicts who are staying sober look back on detox as the easy part. It only seems scary because you can’t imagine your life without drugs.

Withdrawal may feel a little like going through a divorce, mourning a death or moving to a different country where you don’t speak the language. Change is always frightening, but this one will pay off.

Think of detox as the first step to reclaiming everything you lost — your health, your relationships, your reputation at work and your overall quality of life. Think of it as the bridge to ongoing treatment.

Your therapy will get to the heart of your addiction. It will uncover the hurt feelings, disappointments or traumatic events in your past that hold you back today. You’ll learn to identify emotional triggers and sources of stress that tempt you to drink or use drugs. You’ll learn skills for coping with bad moods or upsetting events. Throughout recovery, you’ll build a strong network of encouragement and support from people just like you who are getting well.

Please reach out to us at Desert Mountain Arizona drug detox today. From the very first step, we’re committed to your healing.

Alcohol Detox Scottsdale

Alcohol Detox Scottsdale

A lot of work goes into overcoming an addiction to drugs or alcohol. Before you can begin the important work of recovery, for example, you must endure a period during which the substances that you have been using work their way out of your system. Known as detox or withdrawal, the process can be extremely uncomfortable on one hand or dangerous and even fatal on the other. As a result, detox is never something that should be done alone. Medically supervised detox is the way to go not only because it is safer but because it is the first, crucial step toward true recovery. Read on to learn more about alcohol detox Scottsdale and why it is so important.

The Dangers of Detoxing Alone

Much is made of the idea of quitting drugs or alcohol “cold turkey.” People who do so are often admired for seeming so determined and strong. In reality, however, to stop using a substance that your body has been physically dependent on for some time is a recipe for disaster.

For starters, attempting to detox alone increases the odds of relapse. Detoxing is very uncomfortable and extremely difficult to endure, so it’s very tempting to give up and go back to using. Even if you stick it out, you can face symptoms that range from somewhat uncomfortable to downright life-threatening—and they often spring up with surprising speed. A few examples of the types of withdrawal symptoms that detoxing patients endure include:

  • nausea and vomiting
  • confusion and hallucinations
  • anxiety and mood swings
  • racing heart
  • seizures
  • cardiovascular collapse

Detox: The First Step in a Successful Recovery

All too often, people believe that once the substance is out of their system, they are out of the woods. In reality, detox is simply the first step in the long and difficult road toward recovery. It is important to understand this because that way, you are more likely to seek all of the help that you can get. Increasingly, addiction recovery programs and facilities are including detox as part of an overarching strategy to lead people successfully into recovery. Our inpatient treatment center, for example, recently opened a new alcohol detox Scottsdale facility where patients can take this crucial first step under qualified medical supervision. During detox, you will develop trust with the doctors, nurses and therapists who care for you. This trust will make the next steps in the recovery process that much easier.

What to Expect During Alcohol Detox Scottsdale

It is normal to feel anxious about the prospect of undergoing detox. However, it is important to remember that the whole point of medically supervised detox is to keep the patient safe and comfortable throughout the process. You can alleviate some of your concerns about detoxing by familiarizing yourself with what it involves.

The detox process consists of three stages: evaluation, stabilization and transition to rehab. When you first arrive for detox, then, you will undergo a thorough physical and mental evaluation. Information about the substances that you use, how much you use and how frequently you use them will be noted and used to develop an effective detox plan for you. Your current state of physical health will also be taken into consideration to ensure your comfort and safety throughout the process.

Stabilization is the most crucial part of the detox process. During this time, you will be encouraged to rest and sleep as much as you like while the drugs work their way out of your system. You will be monitored for any serious symptoms, and they will be addressed should they arise. Typically, these symptoms are managed through prescribed medications; the types of medications that are used vary depending on the drugs that you were using. They may include anticonvulsants, antipsychotics or antidepressants. Medications like Suboxone and methadone are sometimes specifically prescribed to wean patients off of opioids, and they may also be prescribed.

During stabilization, you will also be encouraged to adopt healthy eating habits and to get regular light exercise. These activities will help to speed up the process of detoxification and will help you to clear your head for the important work that lies ahead. To that end, your detox will wrap up with a period during which you ideally transition into inpatient drug or alcohol treatment.

Get on the Road to Recovery with Alcohol Detox Scottsdale

If you are coping with an addiction to drugs or alcohol and are ready to reclaim your life, the first step is detoxing and clearing your body of whatever chemicals you have been using. This is never something that should be attempted alone as the consequences can be dire. As the first step in your recovery, your detox should be as comfortable and safe as possible to get you off to a good start. If you need help, please contact Desert Mountain Detox today.

Alcohol Detox Phoenix

Alcohol Detox Phoenix

Our detoxification facility is located in Phoenix, Arizona, and we serve the needs of this population by providing effective and compassionate medical care for people struggling with addiction who require detox services. This is a licensed facility that is established within our community. The supportive services are available for people from all backgrounds and educational levels.

Addiction can affect people from any walk of life, and our staff understands how to work with people who are coming from a variety of situations. Training and continuing education are all a part of our routine, and we also encourage the addict and their family members to learn as much as possible about addiction and recovery. In addition to closely monitoring the symptoms of withdrawal, the staff at Desert Mountain Detox offer valuable resources to each person who is struggling with substance abuse. We also offer inpatient and outpatient treatment options following detox to ensure that each person has the tools necessary to have successful long-term recovery.

Drug and Alcohol Detox Phoenix

Medical supervision for alcohol or drug detoxification is highly recommended. This is true even if the person has gone through withdrawals alone in the past. The detoxification process is sometimes referred to as a medical detoxification procedure, but this does not mean that all traces of the substances will be gone. The medical detox process just means that the person will be under medical supervision during the period where the addict is experiencing withdrawals. This may include medication, group therapy, private therapy, nutritional counseling and other outpatient support services. During the detoxification period, the physical discomfort is sometimes reduced through the use of prescription medications.

Physicians who are trained and experienced in treating addiction understand the physical nature of the cravings. The medications can reduce the intensity of the discomfort by providing the brain with chemicals that are capable of filling that need. They can temporarily reduce the effects of withdrawals by providing the brain with chemicals that are less harmful than the drug itself. During the detox process, the person can learn new skills that will help during sobriety as well. However, this recovery process is rarely effective without a strong and stable network of support.

Medically Supervised Detox Programs

Detoxing alone is potentially dangerous, and there are many things that can go wrong. Relapses can happen at any time during the recovery process. The most important aspect about our detox service is that it is just the first step to creating a sober lifestyle, and medical detox cannot replace the necessary follow-up treatments that lead to long-term sobriety. However, this is a powerful first step on the road to recovery, so it should be handled in a way that produces the most promising results.

This includes the educational materials for the person using the drugs and/or alcohol as well as their friends and family members. Mind-altering substances can create dependency on a very physical level, and the tools to deal with the effects are not always available without medical supervision.

If medications are utilized, the medications are administered and carefully monitored in order to minimize the effects of withdrawal, which might otherwise be severe. Detoxing alone is not recommended for this reason.

The process of getting sober can be intense for everyone involved. This includes family members, friends and any children who are also dealing with an addict. Getting additional help after the initial detox process is done will help addicts to remain sober and learn how to relate to the people in a way that is responsible and respectful. However, many people who are dealing with an addict might also need additional support as well. This is why continued treatment through inpatient or outpatient treatment is often recommended.

Alcohol Detox Phoenix

Detoxification is just the first step on the long road of recovery, which can take many years. Once the sober lifestyle has been started, maintenance is necessary in order to avoid relapse. The addiction is often connected with a social network of people, so replacing the unhealthy network with a supportive one is critical. The resources necessary to do this are often not available to the addict prior to the medical detox period. By attending the inpatient treatment programs following detox, the person can learn new skills that will eventually become natural.

Detoxing alone can be dangerous in many cases, and we do not recommend this option even for people who have done it in the past. Our services can help the addict to get on the road to recovery, and this is important because there is a vulnerable period between detoxification and recovery where relapses are possible. Detoxification is an important step when you are beginning to recover from the physical, mental and physiological effects of addition. Getting help quickly can make a big difference in how the recovery process goes. Getting information is critical for making good decisions, and our staff is always available to answer your questions. For additional information, or to request immediate help, contact Desert Mountain Detox, as soon as possible.

Alcohol Detox Arizona

Alcohol Detox Arizona

Drug or alcohol dependency can creep up on someone and grab hold before the person even knows it’s happening. One “innocent shot” can lead to multiple drinks per hour for hours on end. One of the toughest things to do is to admit the problem because of the shame and stigma the disease of alcoholism carries in both the media and society. Thankfully, there are many people working to overcome the stigma of addiction, and by getting help, you are working to do the same. Detoxification and rehabilitation are proven methods for helping people try to beat the disease of alcoholism and any other addiction.

Finding Licensed Alcohol Detox Arizona

Once someone has taken the decisive step of seeking help and admitting the problem, that person must begin somewhere, and that is a detoxification program similar to that at Desert Mountain Detox in Arizona.

Detoxification is a controlled process whereby medical professionals cleanse a person’s system of intoxicating agents. It must be done in a controlled environment because of the reactions of the body to withdrawal. It must be borne in mind that detoxing by oneself is extremely dangerous. Not only are the results of withdrawal unpredictable and scary, but they can also be deadly if handled incorrectly. Even if one has medical training, it is imperative to go through detox in a controlled, supervised environment since many symptoms of withdrawal may leave a person in a delicate state.

The Body and Mind During Addiction

The use of alcohol over time damages not only the body’s physical makeup but also its mental makeup. Many people know that excessive alcohol abuse can cause cirrhosis of the liver or alcoholic hepatitis, but not many people know that it can also cause depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder, particularly regarding the alcohol itself. The person drinking loses the ability to make rational decisions about the addiction. Fear of painful withdrawal, the cost of rehab programs, or the loss of lifestyle all contribute to people not getting help. At its worst, addiction drives people to sacrifice familial and friendship relationships, jobs, savings, and even homes to feed the addiction.

The Body During Detox

Once the process begins, the body reacts, sometimes violently, to the absence of a substance it has grown to depend upon for its function. These withdrawal symptoms include:

  • Anxiety
  • Cold sweats
  • Agitation
  • Nausea
  • Diarrhea
  • Intense pain
  • Uncontrollable shaking and hallucinations, often called delirium tremens
  • Heart palpitations
  • Breathing difficulties

The final three can be life-threatening if not dealt with immediately. The others can also contribute to the more dangerous symptoms. Delirium tremens, or the DTs, can also cause unsafe spikes in body temperature that can lead to stroke or brain damage.

Detox as the First Step of Addiction Treatment

Generally, it is impossible to treat an addict effectively if that person has not gone through detox. The symptoms of withdrawal will keep the person from concentrating on the task at hand or being physically able to begin treatment. If those symptoms are severe enough, the person will require hospitalization for completion of the detox anyway, so it’s better to detox a patient fully before beginning any program of rehabilitation.

Patients who successfully complete alcohol detox also achieve a substantial milestone, and perceptive treatment programs, such as that at Desert Mountain Detox, reinforce this feeling of accomplishment as one of life’s great goals that has been conquered. Such positive reinforcement is a linchpin of successful rehab. Patients can also come to realize that they not only can prove to themselves that they can “beat the pink elephants” but also gain the necessary coping skills to avoid relapse.

The Importance of Support During Alcohol Detox

Both successful detox and rehab must address other concerns in your life than the addiction. Having mental healthcare follow-up, the support of aftercare workers, or both can be the difference between lifelong recovery and relapse. This is especially true if the detox process has lingering effects, which is possible even if it is not likely.

If you have reached the point that you are ready to tackle your addiction head-on, you can contact Desert Mountain Detox for help with alcohol detox Arizona. It will be your first step on the path of reclaiming your life.