How the Detox Process Works

Addiction may have claimed a chapter of your life, but it does not have to define the rest

of your life. The idea of detoxing, whether it's by choice or under pressure from someone

else, can be scary. But knowing what to expect makes it easier to make the decision to go

though with it. Yes, detox is uncomfortable, and there is work involved, but it is doable,

especially when you have help and support to get through it. This is how the entire

process works.

Evaluating the Patient and Developing a Treatment Plan

Years ago, health professionals thought a cookie-cutter style of treatment worked. Each

patient was put through the same steps, some with success and some not. Today, medical

professionals at reputable Orange County rehab centers realize that there is no one-size-

fits-all method of detox. 1 Each patient is assessed upon arrival at the treatment center.

Caregivers conduct a simple series of tests to determine what substances the patient is on,

the amount of the substance the patient is using, and any underlying causes contributing

to the addiction, such as an undiagnosed or untreated mental illness.2 Using the results of

these tests, caregivers develop a treatment plan. The patient is fully informed on what the

plan involves, so there are no surprises.

The Physical Detoxification Process

The detox process can take from a few days to a few weeks, depending on the substances

the patient has abused, the length of time they have been addicted, and the amount of

drugs and/or alcohol they've been using. Most patients have physically detoxified within

ten days.

There are two ways to approach detox: cold turkey versus a medicated detox. While the

medicated way seems more comfortable and easier, the medications used are non-

narcotic and can only be used for ten days in order to avoid developing another addiction.

So medicated detox is only recommended in the most severe cases.

There are several ways to make cold turkey detox more comfortable. Patients have found

that resting in a caring, accepting environment with trained and compassionate caregivers

makes the process much easier. During this period, patients will be treated to a healthy

diet, restful sleep, and nurturing.3 Most addicts have been sadly without nourishing

meals, comfortable sleep, and other body- and mind-soothing routines while they spent

time and energy seeking and using drugs or alcohol. This is a time for physical healing.

The Mental Detoxification Process

1 http://www.rehabs.com/about/the-addiction-rehabilitation-process/

2 http://psychcentral.com/lib/detoxing-from-drugs-and-alcohol/0001036

3 http://blog.stopyouraddiction.com/detox/how-does-drug-detox-work/

Once the body has rid itself of the toxins that built up in the body during drug and alcohol

abuse, they can turn their focus to healing the mind and spirit. This involves getting to the

underlying causes of the addiction. Common reasons for people to turn to substance

abuse are pain (either mental or physical or both), hurt, rejection, fear of failure, mental

illnesses like bipolar disorder or schizophrenia, depression, stress, and even boredom.4

Mental detox involves discovering the underlying causes of the addiction and beginning

to address those issues through counseling. Depending on the reasons the patient fell into

addiction, a treatment program can consist of individual therapy, group therapy, family

therapy, or any combination of these. Therapies and additional treatments, as

recommended by the medical staff, begins at the detox treatment facility and continues

into a residential Orange County rehab program, and eventually as ongoing outpatient

treatment.

After Detox

The best way to prevent relapse is to find healthy, positive activities to fill the time once

spent seeking or using drugs or alcohol. That's why Yellowstone Recovery doesn't stop

working with their patients once the physical and mental detox starts working. At

Yellowstone, patients are connected with other recovering addicts through fun and

exciting activities like playing sports, learning skills like art, working with animals, and

other interesting ways to exercise their minds and bodies. This keeps patients from

feeling lonely and bored, which can often lead them back to friends and places where the

addiction is too powerful a lure.

Yellowstone Recovery also believes that detox programs should be affordable. Visit the

website today or call 888-941-9048 to see the treatment plans available and the

competitive pricing offered for Orange County residents in need of addiction recovery

services.

Company Bio

Yellowstone Recovery is based on the 12-step recovery plan that has been the key to

helping countless addicts overcome their addictions for decades. Beginning with physical

detox and progressing to treatments to heal the mind, emotions, and spirit, Yellowstone

Recovery doesn't just help patients get off drugs and alcohol -- they help them stay clean

and sober with job placement assistance, group activities, and nurturing support.

4 http://thejenniferact.com/2011/05/12/reasons-why-people-use-drugs/