What Happens During Drug Detox?
Drug detox is physically, emotionally, and mentally painful and exhausting. Like detox diets, a drug detox relies on drugs leaving the body. Many programs use medically assisted detox, providing medication, monitoring, and additional medical support to ease detox symptoms and prevent health complications. These programs are especially effective in reducing cravings and relapse. After initial detox, clients begin behavioral therapy with individual, group, and family therapy sessions to understand their mental health and addiction triggers. During this time, many people receive dual diagnosis and treatment for co-occurring disorders like depression, anxiety, OCD, and bipolar disorder.Providing Drug Detox Support to Loved Ones
It’s not always easy knowing how to provide addiction detox support for a loved one. However, there are a few ways you can help. Support your loved one in detox by:- Staying curious – Asking non-judgemental questions of your loved one can show your interest and help you understand their experience.
- Providing a safe space at home: Whether your loved one is detoxing in a residential or outpatient program, a drug-free, secure home is essential to recovery.
- Attending family therapy – Family therapy serves the whole family. It can help improve communication, recognize family dynamics that need change, and help every feel seen and heard.
- Educating yourself – Addiction and detox education can help you spot signs of relapse, understand addiction triggers, and help your loved one through every stage of recovery.