While treatment is a difficult decision, Westwind Recovery® in Los Angeles tries to make the stay at a drug and alcohol center as stress-free as possible. Our California addiction treatment center programs are different from other treatment programs because of our high level of care, our affordability, and our dedication to recovery.
We employ a customizable approach to treatment. After all, not everybody can recover from substance abuse and mental health disorders in the same way. Each individual is different and unique, and so is the drug and alcohol center’s approach to treatment. As a result of our integrated approach with many different amenities, you or your loved one will easily find a component that hits home.
What are Withdrawal Symptoms?
Withdrawal symptoms can be described as uncomfortable physical and mental symptoms that are triggered when an individual stops using a substance after prolonged use. If you are struggling with drug or alcohol detox, it is important to speak with your healthcare provider to develop a safe detox plan that will help you manage your physical and mental symptoms during this difficult time.
Your healthcare provider can recommend different detox strategies depending on the type of substance you have been abusing and how long you have been using it. Some common detox approaches may include taking over-the-counter medications to alleviate symptoms like nausea or pain as well as participating in various forms of therapy or support groups to help address any underlying mental health concerns.
What Are Drug And Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms?
Withdrawal symptoms will vary based on the individual and the drug or alcohol they are detoxing from. Some common detox symptoms include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Headache
- Irritability
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Fatigue
- Insomnia
- Cravings
If you are experiencing any of these withdrawal symptoms while detoxing from drugs or alcohol, it is important to speak with your healthcare provider to develop a safe detox plan that will help you manage your physical and mental symptoms during this difficult time.
Detox can be a challenging experience for many individuals who are trying to overcome their addiction to drugs or alcohol. However, by working closely with your healthcare provider and implementing various strategies for managing your withdrawal symptoms, you can successfully complete detox and move on to the next phase of recovery.
What is the Withdrawal Symptom Timeline?
The withdrawal symptom timeline will vary depending on the individual and the substance they have been abusing. In general, detoxing from alcohol will produce the most severe symptoms, and detoxing from stimulants will produce the least severe symptoms. However, it is important to remember that detox is a very individualized process and some people may experience more severe symptoms than others regardless of the substance they are detoxing from.
Within the first 48 hours after quitting drinking, a person may experience withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety, tremors, sweating, nausea, and vomiting. After the first few days, symptoms typically peak and then begin to decline. However, some people may experience protracted withdrawal symptoms that can last for months or even years after they stop drinking.
Detoxing from drugs other than alcohol will typically produce less severe symptoms than alcohol detox. Stimulants such as cocaine or methamphetamine, and detox symptoms may include fatigue, depression, and anxiety. These symptoms usually peak within the first few days of detox and then gradually subside over a week or so. Detoxing from opioids such as heroin or prescription painkillers, the most common symptom is intense cravings for the drug.
How are Withdrawal Symptoms Tied to Relapse?
Withdrawal symptoms are tied to relapse because they can be uncomfortable and often painful, leading detoxing individuals to relapse to stop the discomfort. However, detoxing from drugs or alcohol is an essential first step towards recovery, providing critical support during this challenging time. There are many effective detox programs available in the Los Angeles area that can help you safely manage your detox symptoms while also giving you the tools and resources needed to achieve long-term sobriety.
How Effective is Drug and Alcohol Detox?
Detox can be an effective first step in addressing addiction, but it is not a cure-all. To achieve long-term sobriety, detox must be followed by comprehensive addiction treatment. This typically includes a combination of behavioral therapies, support groups, and medication if needed. Detox alone is usually not enough to help someone struggling with addiction achieve long-term sobriety. However, it can be an important first step that sets the stage for further treatment.
How Do Drugs And Alcohol Impact the Brain in the Long-Term?
In the long term, drugs and alcohol can impact the brain in several ways. For example, consistent drug or alcohol use can lead to changes in the levels of dopamine in the brain, which is responsible for controlling our reward systems.
This can lead to cravings for continued drug or alcohol use and may even contribute to the development of addiction. Additionally, drugs and alcohol may cause damage to specific areas of the brain that contribute to mood regulation and impulse control.
Which Medications are Used in Drug and Alcohol Detox in Los Angeles?
The medications used in detox can vary depending on the specific drug or drugs used, as well as the type of detox performed. Some common medications that may be used in detox include anti-anxiety medications, anti-seizure medications, and/or sedatives.
To successfully detox from drugs or alcohol in Los Angeles, it is important to seek professional help from qualified professionals at a reputable detox center. With the right support and tools during detox, you can achieve sobriety and reclaim your health and wellness. To learn more about detox options in your area, contact a local detox facility today.
What are the Costs Associated With Detox in Los Angeles?
The costs of detox in Los Angeles can vary depending on the type of detox, as well as other factors such as insurance coverage and facility location. Most detox centers offer a range of services and payment options, including private pay and insurance plans. To learn more about the costs associated with detox in your area, contact a local detox center today.
If you are looking for a safe and effective way to detox from drugs or alcohol in Los Angeles, it is important to seek professional help from qualified professionals at a reputable detox center. At these facilities, you will receive the support and tools you need to successfully overcome addiction and achieve sobriety.
Drug and Alcohol Detox Center Programs
Going through withdrawal can be a challenging and uncomfortable experience for anyone. Nausea, body ache, fever, and fatigue are common physical withdrawal symptoms. Anxiety, depression, restlessness, and irritability are typical psychological symptoms as well.
Generally, a drug detox center’s caring staff is here for you with the following steps and beyond:
- Medically supervised – Because withdrawal from alcohol and other drugs can be life-threatening, the detox process can be medically supervised.
- Medication – Typically, the medical staff may use medications to reduce the discomfort of withdrawal. The type of detox medication used depends on the severity of the addiction, the type of substance abused, and other factors.
- Detox period – If you are admitted to an inpatient rehab program, your care will begin with a 72-hour detoxification period, sometimes longer depending on your situation.
- Once you are medically stable, you will be transferred to your treatment unit, where you will start your addiction treatment program. You may continue to be medically monitored to make sure your symptoms continue to improve, and adjustments can be made to your treatment plan as needed.
Here are the drugs most commonly associated with painful or difficult withdrawal:
ALCOHOL
Surprisingly to many, the most severe of all withdrawals are a result of excessive alcohol consumption. Many alcoholics suffer from delirium, tremors, paranoia, jitters, and shakes at the alcohol detox center. Those with compromised liver function and long-term usage suffer the worst effects when trying to remove the alcohol. According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, this withdrawal can be fatal and must be done professionally. A Los Angeles alcohol detox center provides the caring support and medically supervised setting you need.
BENZODIAZEPINES
Xanax, Valium, and Klonopin are meant to sedate the individual and calm anxiety and other disorders. These drugs can lead to life-threatening complications during the withdrawal process, and hallucinations, seizures, and tremors may occur. Lower the odds of dangerous complications by staying at Westwind Recovery®’s drug and alcohol center.
OPIATES
Prescription drugs like morphine, OxyContin, and Vicodin, as well as the street form, Heroin, fall into this class. People who try to stop these drugs ‘cold-turkey’ can feel flu-like symptoms that can last for several days to a week. A professional drug detox center seeks to make the person detoxing more comfortable, with the idea that getting through this symptomatic period without consequence will make sobriety more likely.
AMPHETAMINES
Illicit drugs like methamphetamines and prescription drugs like Ritalin and Adderall create boosts in nervous system activity. Users getting off of these drugs have been reported to have episodes of psychosis and other unusual brain activity. Professional help must be sought at a drug and alcohol detox center for those suffering from addiction to amphetamines.
COCAINE
While cocaine does not cause serious medical complications upon withdrawal, it can certainly be uncomfortable and cause anxiety, irritability, and concentration issues. Typically, inpatient treatment is recommended for cocaine users so that these month-long effects can be overcome in a safe location.
Contact Westwind Recovery® to learn more about how the drug and alcohol center can help you or a loved one. Call us today to begin the journey of getting free from addiction.
Dr. Deena is the Chief Clinical Officer of Westwind Recovery®, an award-winning outpatient treatment center in Los Angeles where she oversees the clinical and administrative program and treatment methods. Dr. Deena is a doctor of psychology and licensed clinical social worker since 1993. LCSW #20628. Originally from the East Coast, Dr. Deena has worked running treatment centers, worked as a therapist in psychiatric hospitals as well as school settings and currently has a thriving private practice in the LA area. Dr. Deena has appeared regularly on the Dr. Phil Show as an expert since 2003. She has also been featured on many other TV shows, podcasts and has contributed to written publications as well as podcasts.
