Detoxification is the critical first step toward the journey of achieving sobriety. However, this phase can also be one of the most challenging due to the physical and psychological symptoms you can experience. Detox occurs when the body begins to eliminate addictive and toxic substances and can be very uncomfortable. However, medication-assisted treatment (MAT) can help provide an effective and safe detox.
You might be wondering, why can’t I just go through the detox process from the comfort of my own home? Without professional guidance, detox can impose some serious risks that go beyond just physical discomfort. Some of these risks can lead to medical complications and even life-threatening situations. This is why MAT is so important and plays such a vital role in managing withdrawal symptoms safely while also keeping the person as comfortable as possible.
By going through MAT, you are more likely to start your recovery journey on the right foot with greater stability. This can help you achieve long-term sobriety moving forward. At Profound Treatment in Los Angeles, California, we recognize that there can be a lot of fear associated with going through the detox process. At our facility, you can rest assured that we will guide you 100% of the way and ensure you always know what to expect.
What Is Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)?
Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is an approach to treating substance use disorder (SUD) by using a combination of medications, behavioral therapies, and counseling. It is often used to treat those in recovery from addictions to substances like alcohol, opioids, and other highly addictive substances. The goal of MAT is not just to address the physical symptoms of withdrawal but the psychological symptoms as well. This should help to reduce cravings and promote lasting healing.
So what exactly is withdrawal, and why is managing withdrawal symptoms so important? Withdrawal occurs when someone becomes dependent on a substance for an extended period. Their dependency on the drug will begin to affect the functioning of both the brain and the body. For example, some substances like alcohol affect neurotransmitters in the brain that are associated with the reward system.
As a result, someone who is addicted to a certain substance will begin to need that substance just to feel normal. If they decide to suddenly discontinue their use of the drug, they will likely experience some unpleasant and even dangerous withdrawal symptoms. When a person begins to experience these withdrawal symptoms, it is a sign that their body is struggling to regain a sense of balance without the presence of the drug.
The extent of the type of withdrawal symptoms a person may experience depends on many different factors. This includes the drug itself, how long they have been using it, and how often they have been using it. It will also depend upon whether they’ve been using it alongside other substances. For example, some people may drink alcohol while also using an addictive drug.
Some people may only experience minor withdrawal symptoms while going through detox. However, for others, their symptoms can be severe and even dangerous. They may be so severe that the individual may decide not to follow through with the detox process at all. This is one of the many reasons that professional supervision is such an important aspect of ensuring a safe detox.
The Importance of Professional Supervision for a Safe Detox
While detox is the important first step towards complete healing from addiction, it can be demanding mentally and physically. Withdrawal symptoms can range from anywhere from mildly unpleasant to extremely life-threatening. During the detox process, withdrawal can also be very unpredictable. It can be hard to anticipate how someone’s body might respond to the sudden absence of a drug that it has become dependent upon. With certain substances, there is the risk of experiencing seizures, heart problems, or respiratory distress during detox.
Because of these risks, going through detox on your own is not only not recommended but possibly unsafe. Going through detox under professional supervision, whether it be during inpatient treatment or extensive outpatient treatment, provides a safe and controlled environment. This option also helps to make sure that you are given both the medical and emotional support you need during this process.
While going through detox under professional supervision, a doctor can monitor your vital signs regularly. They can also administer medication to help manage your withdrawal symptoms and help take care of any complications that may arise. This allows you to relax and focus on your recovery without having to worry about any possible medical issues.
Risks Associated With Withdrawal: Why Managing a Safe Detox On Your Own Is Challenging
While it may be possible to try to manage detox without professional supervision in some cases, it is challenging and not recommended. This is because you’re not going to have medical supervision around in the case that you do experience a serious health complication. You also won’t have the benefit of medication being administered to keep your withdrawal symptoms under control.
To understand the severity of withdrawal, it is important to understand the possible risks involved with detoxing from different kinds of substances.
Alcohol Withdrawal
When you are detoxing from alcohol, you may experience minor to moderate symptoms beginning anywhere from six hours after your last drink to around 48 hours. This could include symptoms like:
- Anxiety
- Tremors
- Nausea and vomiting
- Trouble sleeping
- Headache
- Rapid heart rate
- High blood pressure
- Irritability
- Mood swings
- Intense cravings for alcohol
For some people, those are the extent of their symptoms, and they may notice their symptoms fade completely after a few days. However, for other people, particularly those who have drank heavily for an extended period of time, their symptoms may become more severe. They may particularly become serious during the 48 to 72-hour window since their last drink. These severe symptoms may include:
- Disorientation and confusion
- Fever
- Seizures
- Hallucinations
- Severe agitation
In particularly severe cases, someone who is detoxing from severe alcohol use disorder will experience a very dangerous condition known as delirium tremens (DTs.) This condition can be fatal. It includes symptoms like extremely high heart rate and blood pressure, hallucinations, and severe mental health risks.
Opioid Withdrawal
When you are detoxing from opioid use disorder (OUD), you may experience some early symptoms between anywhere from six hours to 12 hours after you last took the drug. These symptoms can increase in severity as time goes on. Some of these early symptoms may include:
- Restlessness
- Muscle aches
- Anxiety
- Sweating
- Insomnia
Once you reach the 24-hour mark, you may begin to experience peak withdrawal symptoms. These may last until around 72 hours after you last took the drug and may include:
- Intense cravings
- Mood swings
- Severe abdominal cramping
- High blood pressure
- Tachycardia (rapid heart rate)
- Depression and other kinds of psychological distress
- Dehydration
- Severe cardiovascular problems
Stimulant Withdrawal
Detoxing from stimulant misuse can lead to some pretty serious withdrawal symptoms. This could include prescription stimulants like Adderall or Ritalin. It could also include illegal stimulants like cocaine or methamphetamine. While these withdrawal symptoms can vary depending on the specific drug in use, there are some common physical and psychological symptoms to look out for.
These symptoms may include:
- Muscle aches and pain
- Extreme exhaustion
- Insomnia
- Mood Swings
- Intense cravings for the drug
- Severe depression
- Psychosis
- Serious cardiovascular issues Psychosis
How MAT Supports an Effective and Safe Detox
After recognizing the possible risks involved with detoxing from different types of addictive substances, it is clear that MAT is necessary to ensure an effective and safe detox. It does this through easing withdrawal symptoms through FDA-approved medications and helping to reduce cravings. This form of treatment also helps to prevent and address any potential life-threatening complications. In addition, it provides the individual going through detox with much-needed support both during and after detox.
Most importantly, MAT increases a person’s chances of completing detox successfully, preventing relapse, and enjoying long-lasting recovery.
Common Medications Used in MAT for a Safe Detox
The medications that are used in MAT to ensure a safe detox depend upon the substance or substances the person is detoxing from. These medications are FDA-approved for use for this purpose.
In the case of helping to manage opioid withdrawal during detox, there are a few different medications that a doctor may administer. One is methadone, which can help to reduce cravings for opioids while also reducing withdrawal symptoms. Buprenorphine or naltrexone may also be administered to treat opioid withdrawal, depending upon the person’s needs and unique situation.
In the case of alcohol addiction, a doctor may prescribe benzodiazepines to help calm the nervous system and reduce symptoms of anxiety. For those who are struggling with cravings for alcohol, especially in early recovery, they may be prescribed naltrexone. After detox is complete, the drug acamprosate may also be administered to help the person’s brain chemistry return to normal.
In the case of stimulant addiction, a doctor may prescribe a drug called topiramate to reduce stimulant cravings. They may also describe certain antidepressants to help with the anxiety and depression a person may experience during withdrawal.
The Benefits of Combining MAT With Therapy for an Effective and Safe Detox
We know that detox is the crucial first step in recovery and that MAT helps to ensure a safe detox. However, these are not the only critical aspects of early recovery. To get to the root cause of a person’s addiction, it is important that they go through therapy. This can help them to determine why they first turned to substance misuse in the first place. Identifying this root cause and addressing it is very important in promoting lasting healing and long-term recovery.
One of the key benefits of combining MAT with therapy during detox is that ensures that not just the physical aspects of addiction are addressed. It ensures that the psychological aspects are addressed as well. These psychological factors could include things like undiagnosed mental health problems like anxiety, bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or depression. They may also include things like unresolved past trauma or unhealthy behavioral patterns.
Another benefit of incorporating therapy with this process is that it helps the person build healthy coping mechanisms at the very start of their recovery journey. These are coping mechanisms that will be very useful for them in the months and years to follow. This may include things like learning how to manage stress or how to combat cravings. These things can help prevent relapse.
Incorporating therapy alongside MAT during detox can also be beneficial for those who are experiencing co-occurring disorders. An example of this is someone who is experiencing alcohol use disorder (AUD) alongside an anxiety disorder. Both of these conditions must be treated at the same time. In this kind of environment, the physical symptoms of withdrawal can be managed while a therapist helps the person address their mental health needs.
The Role of Medical Professionals in MAT Programs
The role of medical professionals in MAT programs can include helping with a wide variety of a patient’s needs during detox and early recovery. This includes monitoring their vital signs and managing their withdrawal symptoms by administering medication. In the case of a therapist, their role is to provide emotional and mental support. It is also their role to help them determine and address the root cause of their addiction.
A medical professional will also work with a patient to help them come up with a continued treatment plan. This is the plan that they will follow to maintain their recovery even after they leave their treatment facility. It may include things like outpatient care, mental health treatment, counseling, and attending support group meetings.
Maintaining a safe and comfortable environment is one of the most important things that a medical professional will do for their patients during detox. Going through detox can be intimidating and stressful enough on its own. Patients depend on a controlled environment where they can recover and heal in peace.
At Profound Treatment, we recognize the need for a comfortable and peaceful healing environment during detox. If you attend our luxury rehab facility, you will be able to recover while being treated with the respect, compassion, and care that you deserve. We are equipped to help manage the detox process for a wide variety of different substances, including:
- Opioids
- Alcohol
- Prescription drugs
- Methadone
- Marijuana
- Fentanyl
- Stimulants
- Heroin
At our facility, the guidance and support that you will receive do not end when you complete the detox process. Instead, we will work with you as you navigate the next stages of recovery. We will do this by helping to equip you with all the tools you need to enjoy long-term recovery for years to come.
Building a Support System During and After Detox
Building a strong support system plays a critical role in the recovery journey and helps prevent relapse. This is something that you can work on building both during and after detox. While going through detox, you can form connections with therapists who can help offer mental and emotional support that will continue as you navigate on with treatment. Forming a trusting relationship with these mental health professionals early on can be very useful for the future.
You can also build a support system by attending regular 12-Step support group meetings such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or Narcotics Anonymous (NA). At these meetings, you will have the chance to meet peers who have experienced the same things that you’re going through. You can learn from them and receive helpful advice on handling this stage of your recovery journey and beyond. Once the detox process is complete, you can continue attending these meetings as you learn more about yourself and your recovery.
Choosing to seek professional treatment for substance use disorder (SUD) is one of the best and most courageous things that you can do for yourself. However, going through detox is the first step in this process. While you may think you would prefer going through this process from the comfort of your own home, it is far safer to detox while under medical supervision. If you or someone you know is currently struggling with SUD, our team at Profound Treatment in Los Angeles, California, is here to help. To learn more about the different types of conditions we treat and the options that we have available, reach out to our team at (310) 340-2609.
(310) 929-9546
