Tuesday 18 April 2017

Detoxification Facts, Process and tips for Managing

What is Detoxification?

Detoxification as most of us know is the process of removing toxins from whole body. But to define it more specifically, detoxification is the physiological or medicinal process of removing toxic substances from a living organism which includes the human body, which is mainly carried out by the liver. In the case of substance abuse, detox as a term refers to the time frame through which body is permitted to handle or use any medications and alcohol in the system and in doing so, clears their toxic influence.

Precautions during Detoxification 

Detoxification is the first and critical first step to long-term sobriety. It’s right to feel a bit overwhelmed and even apprehensive while because it’s the new territory that we are venturing, however medically supervised detox programs does have included many precautions and safeguards which  are designed to keep clients stable and comfortable throughout the process.

Before the detoxification is taken up, choosing the right detoxification program is very important. There are multiple precautions that has to be taken to ensure their safety, but choosing the right detox program can increase the chances of success by making sure you choose the right program for your needs. Detox programs take place either on an outpatient basis also known as ambulatory detoxification or at a residential detox center or inpatient detoxification.

Most importantly an unsupervised at-home detox is never recommended. There are many substances that need to be tapered off gradually, and doing an abrupt withdrawal can cause dangerous medical complications.To have an effective first step of treatment, detoxification must be an individualised process because patients have varying needs.

Detoxification


Facts of Detoxification

A women who is pregnant cannot be detoxified from opiates (also morphine, heroin, and similar drugs) because a strict detoxification can increase the risk of spontaneous abortion. Those women undergo Methadone detoxification as an alternative detox. Methadone acts as a replacement for the heroin in the woman's body and does not provide the "high" that the heroin provides. On the other hand, methadone is safer for the fetus than heroin.

Dealing with Withdrawal symptoms during Detoxification

During Detoxification, the patient's medical team strives to get the patient relief from withdrawal for the  substance on which he or she is physically dependent, while treating the withdrawal symptoms. During Detoxification individuals physically dependent on a substance experience withdrawal symptoms when they try abstaining from the drug or alcohol. Withdrawal symptoms vary with each drug of abuse, but can be severe and even dangerous. Patients who are in recovery need help managing the withdrawal symptoms.


Dealing before detoxification

Changing your dietary patterns could be the first step for the preparation for your detox diet. Downsizing the measure of prepared and greasy foods that you eat for crisp foods and vegetables, drinking a glass of water after every 2 to 3 hours and cutting back on caffeine, refined sugar and alcohol is what is suggested.

The initial step to any detoxification, irrespective to the substance, is a physical examination and history taken by a doctor. This data social event and examination helps the treatment group evaluate the patient's general wellbeing. By and large, better the well-being of the patient is, the better the chances are that the patient will experience a detoxification without genuine or life-undermining complications

Aftercase

After the patient has finished detoxification, he or she needs advance treatment either at an outpatient, inpatient, private, or day healing center program keeping in mind the end goal to remain drug-free for the long term. Patients are dealt with health care experts and few patients are also guided by individuals who are recovering from addiction themselves. Numerous patients also benefit from 12-step programs or self-help groups, such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or Narcotics Anonymous (NA).

Resources Books

Matthews, John. "Substance-Related Disorders: Cocaine and Narcotics." In Psychiatry Update and Board Preparation, edited by Thomas A. Stern, M.D. and John B. Herman, M.D. New York: McGraw Hill, 2000

beers, Mark H., M.D., and Robert Berkow, M.D., eds. "Alcoholism." The Merck Manual of Diagnosis and Therapy.17th edition. Whitehouse Station, NJ: Merck Research Laboratories, 1999