Drug Detox in Pennsylvania

Drug Detox in Pennsylvania

Drug addiction is a complex and multi-layered disorder, and living with drug addiction is extremely difficult. It’s an isolating condition, often taking over every area of a person’s life and separating them from their loved ones. Most people locked in the cycle of drug addiction would do anything to escape, but it isn’t easy to quit using drugs either.

The detox period is one of the most difficult parts of the recovery process. The first few days and weeks without drugs are intense and overwhelming. Newly clean and sober individuals need support now that their usual coping mechanism is gone.

If you’ve tried quitting before and found that you aren’t able to, you’re not alone. This is where drug detox in Pennsylvania can help. Detox provides a safe and secure environment to help you get through those first few days and weeks without drugs as comfortably and safely as possible.

What is Drug Detox?

When someone uses drugs regularly, the amount that originally provided the effects they wanted no longer work. As the weeks and months pass, they need to use more to achieve the same desired effects. Their body and mind develop a tolerance for the substances they use.

The brain adapts and learns to function while under the influence in order to survive. The more time passes the more their body becomes dependent on those drugs. Even though the substances are toxic, they reach a point where they require them to operate normally.

At some point, they start experiencing physical and psychological reactions when they don’t have substances in their system. These reactions, or side effects, are called withdrawal symptoms. They include things like headaches, fever, nausea, or vomiting. Withdrawal symptoms last until their body clears out, or detoxifies, the toxins left over from drug use.

Drug detox in Pennsylvania is the first step of addiction treatment where people undergo the detoxification process. It is an environment where people are under 24-hour monitoring by medical professionals to ensure their safety. Drug detox oversees the first few days of sobriety when relapse is most common.

When is Drug Detox Necessary?

Withdrawal symptoms are one of the main reasons why quitting drugs is so difficult. People often make the decision to quit but struggle to outlast the withdrawal period. They end up turning back to drugs to relieve the discomfort of the symptoms.

Detox is an imperative part of addiction treatment for many people because it removes them from their everyday environment. Sometimes it’s helpful to take a step away when you’re trying to quit using drugs. You’re more likely to give in if you still have access to them during the detox and withdrawal period.

If you’ve tried quitting before and found it too difficult to stay sober alone, drug detox in Pennsylvania can help. It places you in a monitored environment where your sole focus is safely separating from drugs. You have access to around the clock support during the first few difficult days of sobriety.

Another thing to consider is the potential severity of withdrawal symptoms. Symptoms range from mildly uncomfortable to potentially life-threatening depending on the types of drugs used. Drug detox is suggested for those at risk of experiencing severe withdrawal symptoms. Many detox facilities use medications to manage symptoms and keep patients safe and comfortable.

What to Expect From Drug Detox

Drug detox in Pennsylvania is the first step in a comprehensive addiction treatment program. An effective detox program removes all substances from your system so you can move forward into the next phases of treatment.

When you arrive at the facility you’ll undergo an initial evaluation. This gives the staff an idea about any potential threats to your physical or mental wellbeing during the detox process. The first portion involves questions regarding your substance use, including:

• Types of drugs you used
• Amount of substances used
• Length of time you’ve used drugs for

In addition to gathering information about your substance use, staff conducts additional assessments regarding:

• Medical history
• Physical health
• Mental health
• Possible co-occurring disorders
• Potential risks to treatment

Once the facility has a complete understanding of your condition they can begin the actual detoxification process. They provide a variety of services to keep you as comfortable as possible while detoxing. These include things like medication, access to counselors, healthy meals, and constant care.

After your body clears out any leftover remains of substances, the facility prepares you for your next phase of treatment. You’ll transfer to another level of care where the focus shifts from quitting drugs to learning how to live sober.