Drug Detox in Houston, Texas

What Is the First Step in Recovery?

Drug detox is the first step in the recovery process for addiction before a treatment program begins. The detoxification process is not in place of a treatment program. Instead, the idea is that patients transition to their chosen program, whether inpatient, outpatient, or both.

The detox process occurs before you transition to various levels of care. During the drug detox in Houston, the body gets purged of addictive toxins, which allows patients to begin to stabilize their mental and physical health.

The hardest part of detox is the withdrawal symptoms accompanying it. Since an individual’s brain begins to rely on the substance they’re abusing, psychological discomfort and painful symptoms can occur.

Early Stages

During the first couple of hours, the symptoms seem to be mild. However, the symptoms quickly worsen as the number of drugs in the body decreases. Within a day or two, it will usually reach its peak levels. Generally, medication isn’t required at this point, though it might be proactive. Initial assessments get conducted at this point. 

Peak Stages

Generally, the first few days of detox are the worse. This stage is when the symptoms are at the peak and the most severe. At this stage, most if not all of the drugs have left the person’s body.

It leaves an individual not functioning. Symptoms occur at this point because the person’s body struggles to cope with the absence of drugs. Several individuals relapse at this stage since cravings are difficult for patients.

Medication use is the most prevalent at this stage since it helps decrease withdrawal symptoms. Once the symptoms of withdrawal decrease, patients are less likely to have a relapse. Some treatment facilities start therapy and other forms of treatment at this stage, which depends on the patient’s condition and ability.

Weakening Stages

Once the body slowly becomes accustomed to the lack of drugs in the system, withdrawal symptoms weaken or decrease. This process occurs a few days to a week after the detox starts. Some addictions, such as Benzodiazepines and alcohol, are the most harmful part of detox since it’s when some of the most severe symptoms set in.

With other addictions, a relapse might be less common during this stage because individuals have been through the worse part. Several patients start to witness improvement in their condition during this stage. Houston detox centers will start tapering off medications and begin therapy at this time.

Final Stages

For most patients, detox will end after 5 to 14 days. By this stage, symptoms should have decreased; the patients might feel capable of departing from the treatment facility. During this stage, treatment providers might suggest inpatient or outpatient rehab.

Some patients experience post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS), and symptoms of withdrawal persist, typically in a weakened form, for up to a year. Detox medication ceases at this time. Patients become much more involved in treatments such as 12-step groups and therapy for the mind to start to heal.

Drug detox recovery process Houston Texas

Why Can’t I Detox On My Own?

Self-detoxing or self-medicating leads to extreme withdrawal symptoms and severe health complications; that’s why it’s not wise to detox on your own. Sometimes, it can even lead to overdose or death if not dealt with in a professional or medical setting.

There are four reasons why unsupervised detox is unwise. It’s uncomfortable, less likely to be successful, dangerous, and reduces the likelihood that the patient will try to detox again. Therefore, it’s paramount to undergo drug detox in Houston.

MAT Medications

  • Acamprosate
  • Antiadrenergic agents
  • Anticonvulsants
  • Antidepressants
  • Anti-anxiety medications
  • Antipsychotics
  • Benzodiazepines
  • Buprenorphine
  • Disulfiram
  • Methadone
  • Modafinil
  • Naltrexone
  • Suboxone
  • Subutex
  • Vivitrol

What Is Detox for Substance Abuse?

Detox for substance abuse is when all traces of alcohol and drugs eliminate from the body, which ensures that an individual is physically stable and ready to begin therapy to overcome their addiction. Even though detox doesn’t have to be in addiction treatment, it should be.

In an alcohol or substance abuse drug detox in Houston, an individual will receive specialized care for the withdrawal symptoms, which include physical discomfort, insomnia, headaches, and anxiety. During alcohol or substance abuse withdrawal, more severe symptoms such as hallucinations and seizures from delirium tremens can occur.

Delirium tremens is a severe condition that can require immediate intervention. These specific symptoms can be life-threatening, so reach out for help from detox centers in Houston. During the detox process, the patient will either stop using the substance or the substances will gradually be reduced.

drug detox in houston

This process is known as tapering during medical supervision. Most patients addicted to substances such as benzodiazepines and opioids wean off of the drug, so the body is completely shocked. Substances such as barbiturates, benzodiazepines, opioids, and alcohol withdrawal symptoms can bring seizures or heart concerns.

The withdrawal symptoms from these substances aren’t life-threatening, but they’re uncomfortable. When individuals attempt drug detox in Houston alone, relapse is a possibility. Therefore, detox centers in Houston can assist patients in overcoming barriers to start on the recovery path.

Each person is unique, and so is their journey to recovery. Generally, detox is a chaotic experience, yet it’s crucial for the road to recovery. Each substance comes with its withdrawal symptoms. To successful detox, Houston detox centers are key. Medical intervention is necessary to keep patients comfortable and safe.

What Is Drug Detox?

Medical detox may or may not involve medications, depending on which substance or substances. Therefore, the withdrawal symptoms that the patient is experiencing could vary between physical health issues and psychological symptoms. The term “medical” refers to an individual staying in a clinical setting. The body’s reaction to withdrawal gets monitored.

Medical detox occurs in an inpatient setting for the most part, and it can occur in outpatient.  Since the cycle of addiction is difficult to break, the drug and alcohol at drug detox in Houston help manage withdrawal symptoms.

Our team of professional and experienced clinical nurses can ensure that patients are as comfortable as possible during drug detox in Houston, TX. One of the main reasons detox is a challenge is the likelihood of relapse.

Relapse occurs when a person stops using an addictive substance and then starts using again due to unmanageable withdrawal symptoms. However, a comprehensive detox in Houston can reduce the risk of relapse and further prepare patients for the treatment program afterward.

During the medical detox process, patients will begin treatment programs that can assist in uncovering and unpacking underlying issues that played a role in addiction. LUNA Recovery creates treatment plans associated with the body, mind, and emotions.

Our wide range of treatment programs excels in treating the entire person. When a patient transitions into long-term recovery, our programs assist those struggling with substance abuse.

How Does the Drug Detox Process Work?

The detox process will significantly vary between the patients. The factors that detox include:

  • What substances is the patient addicted to?
  • How long has the patient been addicted?
  • Facility-specific procedures and policies
  • The amount of support a patient has
  • Underlying medical conditions
  • Additional medical issues
  • The severity of addiction
  • Motivational level
  • Drug allergies
  • Patient age
  • Local laws

Stages of Detox

holistic treatment program

Our Treatment Options

Long-Term Inpatient Drug Rehab

Our long-term residential treatment program provides 24-hour daycare in non-hospital settings. One of the most well-known models utilized in residential treatment is the therapeutic community (TC). The length of stay at an inpatient drug rehab is between 6 and 12 months.

The therapeutic communities focus on the “resocialization” of the person. Furthermore, the program’s entire community includes residents and staff in active treatment.

Addiction is the framework of an individual’s psychological and social inadequacies. Treatment concentrates on:

  • Developing personal accountability
  • Leading a socially productive life
  • Learning responsibility

Treatment is long-term, residential, and highly structured. Sometimes it might be confrontational. The activities assist residents in exploring damaging self-concepts, destructive behavior patterns, and beliefs.

Furthermore, embracing more constructive and agreeable ways of interacting with others. Several therapeutic communities offer comprehensive services, which include employment training and other support services.

Research has shown that TCs get changed to treat individuals with special needs such as:

  • Individuals in the criminal justice system
  • Individuals with mental disorders
  • Homeless individuals
  • Adolescents
  • Women

Short-Term Inpatient Drug Rehab

Inpatient drug rehab is intensive but relatively brief treatment provided in short-term residential treatment. Originally designed to treat alcoholism, these programs started to treat other substance use disorders (SUDs) due to the cocaine epidemic of the mid-1900s.

The original residential treatment model is a 3-6 week hospital-based inpatient program followed by extensive outpatient therapy and even participation in self-help groups such as Alcoholic Anonymous (AA). After an individual stays in a residential program, it’s essential to remain in aftercare programs or outpatient treatment.

Post-treatment will help reduce the overall risk of relapse once the individual leaves the residential treatment. There are several benefits of inpatient drug rehab. The carefully-curated program consists of the following:

  • Biweekly individual counseling sessions
  • Psychiatric and medical care
  • Daily education sessions
  • A 30 to a 90-day stay
  • Family therapy
  • Group therapy
  • Dual diagnosis

Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP)

A partial hospitalization program is an outpatient treatment program that assists individuals struggling with addiction. When a person enters a PHP, they receive a higher level of care than the standard outpatient care program.

Individuals will receive medical and comprehensive services. Individuals will not stay overnight at the treatment center. Partial hospitalization programs are effective in substance use disorder (SUD) treatment.

The partial hospitalization rehab programs offer the best of both worlds, outpatient and residential treatment. At our PHP in Houston, patients will receive a minimum of 25 hours of medical and clinical four days a week.

Clients engage in effective rehab treatment while living in sober living environments and their own homes. Sometimes, PHPs are called day treatment programs. They offer outpatient addiction treatment services such as:

  • Addiction counseling: individual therapy
  • Recovery meetings
  • Interventions

Generally, individuals attend sessions at our Houston detox centers 4 or 5 days a week which is considered more of an intensive outpatient program than an outpatient program. Patients might only meet once or twice a week. Individuals use PHPs as a step down from inpatient treatment.

Partial hospitalization programs are for individuals who no longer require 24-hour on-site care but a high level of support. When programs offer detox, it’s usually for individuals with mild to moderate symptoms. Doctors and nurses are on-site to give medication and treat complications due to medical conditions or substance abuse.

Medication Management

Medications are for those who recover from substance use disorders (SUDs). There are FDA-approved medications for particular addictions that can assist with decreasing cravings, managing withdrawal symptoms, and blocking rewarding effects.

Holistic Treatment

Several treatment facilities offer holistic options such as meditation, mindfulness training, and yoga.

Aftercare Planning

The treatment team will prepare patients for leaving treatment by designing an aftercare plan which might include relapse prevention strategies:

  • Sober living homes
  • 12-step programs
  • Support groups

Individual Therapy

During individual therapy, the patient will meet with a drug counselor or therapist in one-on-one sessions to work on unhealthy behaviors, which will assist patients in maintaining long-lasting abstinence.

Group Therapy

These group therapy sessions tend to focus on one specific skill or topic conducted by a mental health professional. Topics might include:

  • Family education and therapy
  • Recreational activities
  • Relapse prevention
  • Educational groups
  • Managing stress
  • Coping skills
  • Life skills

Do You or a Loved One Need Drug Detox in Houston, Texas? We Can Help

Detox is the first process before treatment starts. Our drug detox center in Houston, Texas can assist patients in securing a brighter future. We offer holistic and therapeutic treatment programs to assist afterward. Contact us today, and let us help you on your journey.