What Happens After Detox in Drug Rehab Programs?

Medical detox is usually the first step in treating an individual with an addiction to opiates such as Oxycodone, Percocet, Vicodin and Codeine. It involves the use of approved drugs to alleviate withdrawal symptoms associated with withdrawal from opiates that can range from mild to severe. The drugs commonly used for medical detoxification is Suboxone and Methadone.

What Happens After Detox?

Length of treatment varies depending on the patient but generally lasts from a week to two weeks. After Medical detox it is highly recommended that you follow up with long term treatment at an inpatient or outpatient drug treatment facility. Medical detox alone is not a cure for opiate drug addiction. Studies have shown that the combination of behavioral and medical treatment gives the best chance for sustained recovery from an opiate addiction.

According to NIDA, Cognitive-behavioral therapy is designed to help modify the patient’s expectations and behaviors related to drug use and to increase skills in coping with various life stressors.

Although some are able to fight drug addiction on their own following medical detox, most are not and will need counseling to gain back their self-esteem and feel strong enough to rebuild their lives and change their bad habits for good. Often an inpatient facility will help the resident to reset his or her brain by forcing them to follow a more structured daily schedule of when to wake up, when and what to eat, when to exercise and study and when to go to bed. It helps gets the individual back into a normal routine and see a normal “day” without using drugs. It also helps to be surrounded by others with a similar addictions or problems and to not feel that you are isolated and to know that you are not alone.

What Kind of Treatment Options are Available?

Group therapy and other types of counseling usually follow detox.

There are many kinds of drug rehab programs. You might be overwhelmed by how many different options there are once you start looking. Some focus on the spiritual or holistic aspect of recovery coupled with traditional methods. Some cater to the wealthy providing luxurious living arrangements with a spa like environment with a full medical staff to oversee the entire recovery process, while others can be like military bootcamp with barrack style or dormitory living quarters. There are treatment centers for different age groups, peer groups, genders and religions. There are also nondenominational programs available for people who feel they want spiritual recovery but are not of any certain religion or faith.

There are many resources for finding the best kind of treatment center for you in your local area. You can discuss your concerns with your family doctor or there are counselors available at most Public Health Departments if you feel you are struggling with a drug or alcohol addiction and are not sure where to find help. You can also find information on substance abuse treatment providers online at www.findtreatment.samhsa.gov or by calling 1-800-662-HELP.