Detoxification is the removal of chemical substances from a patient's body and the management of withdrawal symptoms. The procedure often involves using several interventions, i.e., medication, to control the side effects of quitting drugs safely.
Medical detox sets the foundation for addiction treatment, but the procedure is not enough for long-term sobriety. Indeed many people end rehab after detox. However, most people benefit from following drug detox with formal rehab programs. These programs include inpatient or outpatient rehab and sober living homes.
New Jersey residents who want to begin drug and alcohol detox should visit centers licensed and regulated by the Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, also known as SAMHSA, also partners with the Division to run public rehab programs in New Jersey.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration reports that medical detox programs last for five days in New Jersey. However, there is no general timeframe for how long a drug detox program lasts. This is due to the different factors that impact an individual's detox treatment. The most significant factors include the complexity of the addiction and the substance used.
New Jersey drug detox generally takes longer for clients who have been abusing different drugs for a long time. Some drugs take longer than others to detox.
The time it takes for a New Jersey resident dealing with addiction to detox will depend on the type of drug abused.
For example, the detox time for using hallucinogens, such as LSD, ecstasy, LSD, or Psilocybin, is one week. Detox for barbiturates is about 2 weeks, while opioid detox takes three to seven days, depending on the drug. Meanwhile, detox for benzodiazepines may last for ten to 14 days.
As individuals get older, their metabolic rate becomes slower, affecting how fast a patient's body gets rid of drugs or alcohol.
On average, a New Jersey detox can last for a week. Multiple factors determine how long it takes an individual to detox. These include:
Individuals drinking alcohol for a long time will typically take longer to detox than a person drinking for a few months. Rehab specialists generally advise patients to go for medically assisted detox if the person has a long history of using alcohol or difficulty quitting.
It takes longer for individuals who take huge quantities of alcohol regularly to detox fully.
Persons dealing with alcohol addiction while also suffering from mental health issues will generally spend a long time during drug detox as the medical team will have to treat both disorders.
New Jersey drug detox procedures are basically classified into two categories:
At this stage, the rehab specialist thoroughly examines the patient's physical and mental state to make a personalized treatment plan for them. For instance, evaluation helps the medical team decide if the client will need prescriptions to ease withdrawal symptoms or not.
Stabilization refers to guiding the patient through acute intoxication and withdrawal to a medically stable and substance-free state. Generally, this is accomplished with the help of drugs. However, certain detoxification methods do not require medication.
In New Jersey, the first stages of alcohol and drug detox will expose the patients to some adverse effects. Indeed, the side effects of detox can be intense, but the rehab team will ensure that their clients are safe and comfortable during the process. The following are common substances and their detox withdrawal symptoms.
Examples of stimulants include meth, Cocaine, and Ritalin
Examples of sedatives include Ambien, Xanax, and Valium:
In New Jersey, detoxing at home can be harmful. This is because removing chemical substances from the body involves physical and cognitive parts of the individual. Below are some potentially harmful demerits of home detox.
Most individuals who practice drug and alcohol detox at home end up relapsing. In specific cases, the cravings might be so severe that it propels the individual to overdose on the drug, leading to a medical emergency.
During drug detox in New Jersey, withdrawal symptoms can cause several health issues. For instance, withdrawal symptoms such as delirium tremens are regarded as medical emergencies and require a healthcare practitioner to perform a physical exam. Drug detox at home would make it difficult to diagnose and treat such a complication.
Therefore, individuals should visit a drug detox center in New Jersey rather than practice drug detox at home. At a New Jersey detox center, rehab specialists can help patients manage their withdrawal effects and avoid relapse.
In New Jersey, rapid drug detox combines medication (usually an opioid blocker) and sedation to quickly rid a patient's body of substances.
Unlike regular detoxification, rapid detox is fast and relatively painless as the service provider administers a sedative to prevent the client from feeling any pain during withdrawal.
According to a National Library of Medicine report, rapid detox is unproven and risky. Also, below are some side effects and withdrawal symptoms that rapid detoxification has been linked to:
Removing alcohol and drugs from a patient's body is a significant step toward recovery. However, alcohol detox is not enough to help individuals fully recover from addiction in New Jersey. Detox aims to rid a patient's body of substances and stabilize the individual mentally and physically. After that, clients need to complete a formal rehab program to achieve total independence and prevent relapse. The following are some options to consider.
Rehab treatment programs in New Jersey can be inpatient or outpatient. These programs are intended to help a patient break the obsessive addiction cycle. The treatment program that enables clients to live in the facility is the inpatient program, while the outpatient program is part-time. Both these programs offer counseling and group therapies and can help the individual develop the necessary life skills to prevent relapse.
Having a community that provides peer support can offer clients the valuable motivation necessary for complete recovery from substance use disorder. Concerned persons can consider joining a 12-step support group. The popular ones include Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous.
Interested individuals in New Jersey can find drug detox programs through the searchable directory provided by the state's Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services. The directory comprises the contact details of credible local agencies offering drug and alcohol treatment programs. Also, the website provides a directory of county drug and alcohol directors from whom concerned parties can inquire about resources for local treatment.
Alternatively, call SAMHSA's helpline at (800) 662-4357 to locate a treatment provider near them. This is a 24/7 active helpline, and every conversation with a SAMHSA agent is regarded as private. There is also the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)'s treatment facility search, which also makes it simple to find a credible recovery program. The finder displays essential details such as the facility's location, contact information, a list of available therapies, and payment options.