Drug Detox
Addiction is a terrible disease that can cause rippling effects in someone’s life and livelihood. Sometimes it can be tough to pinpoint exactly why and how an addiction emerged. Drug addiction can stem from feelings and certain memories (usually traumatic or underlying causes). However, one of the factors that play a big role in addiction is genetics. If your family has a history of substance abuse, it highly increases your risk of addiction and other behavioral disorders.
The environment a person grows up in can have a massive impact on their mental state in the future. According to research done by the National Council of Alcohol and Drug Dependence (NCADD), if a person’s family has a history of substance abuse, they are twice as likely to develop one as well. It’s essential to keep in mind that while your family history increases the likelihood that you’ll develop an addiction, nothing is written in stone. Regardless of your family history, there are ways that you can prevent yourself from developing an addiction.
At Coastal Detox, we understand how serious of an issue addiction can be. Substance abuse in families can be devastating for everyone involved. That’s why we’re here to provide you with the knowledge and resources that you need to help you avoid addiction. There are many things that you can do to live a healthy and normal life, free of drugs. Understanding your past pains while learning to cope with them is essential to staying clean or getting clean.
How Past Experiences Can Affect the Risk of Addiction
There are a variety of factors that can affect your risk of addiction, particularly in your early childhood. You could have grown up in a negative household, or perhaps you had parents that abused drugs regularly. Nearly all addicts have loved ones that also suffer from substance abuse. Thus, young children with drug-abusing parents have a greater chance of becoming addicts themselves.
Past experiences with drug-abusing family members can negatively change the trajectory of a person’s life or cause a person to develop mental health issues. Being the child of a parent who abused drugs or mistreated you can even negatively affect a person’s ability to function and grow. Over time, negative, drug-related past experiences can lead a person down the road towards addiction. In fact, many children with drug-abusing parents may turn to drugs to cope with the stress that having drug-abusing parents has brought on them. Other children with drug-abusing parents will end up following in their parents’ footsteps.
A family with a history of substance abuse can be extremely problematic in the long-run. But there are things you can do to break the chain of substance abuse in your family. Your past shouldn’t affect your future. Luckily, there are many things that you can do to prevent yourself from abusing drugs. With the help of professionals and your own determination, you can live a clean and happy life, free of drugs and mental ruin.
Defining Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorders
It’s important to know the signs of substance abuse or behavioral disorders. By recognizing these warnings and acting upon the tips laid out on this page, you can prevent the risk of substance abuse from reaching you. Substance use disorder is a condition that’s characterized by repetitive, disruptive, and problematic patterns of substance abuse (which results in distress and impairment). While each substance has its own unique effects, there are some common signs of a substance use disorder:
- Inability to reduce or stop your use of substances
- Consuming large amounts of a particular substance and continuing to take it even if it’s not needed
- Cravings and urges to continue using the substance
- Knowing there’s an underlying problem behind your drug use but not being able to stop using substances
- Large amounts of time using or trying to get access to substances
- Building a physical tolerance (having to use more to get its effects)
- Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when not using
Behavioral disorders are also very detrimental to your mind and body. There are many different disorders with many differing symptoms. Thus, it’s important to consult a professional for a true diagnosis.
Mental disorders can begin as far back as childhood. They are characterized by emotional disturbances that last for a long period of time (six months or more). These can have an effect on a person’s educational, personal, and social development. Let’s take a look at some of the general signs of a possible behavioral disorder (symptoms vary greatly from disorder to disorder):
- Inappropriate expression of feelings that are typically uncalled for (in a non-stressful, normal environment)
- Problems learning
- Depression and general moodiness that lingers for months on end
- Headaches and stomach aches due to fear of school, certain interactions, and other normal situations
- Inability to create and maintain relationships with peers, teachers, parents, and others
Preventing Substance Abuse For Future Generations
It can be a complex issue dealing with the interaction between genetics and a family’s upbringing. There are some cases where a parent may pass down some genetic markets (mental health or substance abuse disorders) to their children. In fact, there is evidence to suggest that there is some genetic predisposition to addiction that can be passed down. While this may be completely out of your control, your future (for yourself and the next generation) is in your hands.
There are different things you can do to stop problems from developing, in terms of substance abuse or mental disorders in your life. While some things are completely out of our control, we still have a choice to live a better, happier life. Practice these tips and don’t be afraid to reach out for help when things get rough. Rehab centers like Coastal Detox are here to help you reach a better place if you’re struggling. You’re not alone in this battle, get help today if needed!
Come to Terms with Your Past Wounds
There are many stressful and traumatic experiences that may affect our development. These underlying issues may be the cause of distress and possible substance abuse down the line. Whether you decide to get treatment or not, it’s imperative to heal from these wounds. Oftentimes, it’s these thoughts that fuel our addiction further. Luckily, there are resources and counselors that are ready to help you on your journey.
It’s important to know that even with a family history of substance abuse, it’s never too late to reach out for help. By addressing these past struggles and learning to cope with them, you can come to terms with these feelings. Now’s the time to improve and remain on a track towards sobriety for you and your family after you.
Keeping Track of Drug and Alcohol Use
When it comes to alcohol, it’s completely normal to have a drink or two. You don’t need to be completely sober at a party or event just because you have family members that suffer from addiction. However, you should keep track of how much you are drinking or using drugs.
Those with a family history of alcohol abuse are 4 times more likely to have alcohol problems of their own. When talking about drug addiction, a person is 8 times more likely to develop an addiction if he or she has a family history of drug addiction.
It’s important to be aware of how much you drink and how much you use. Excessive drinking can become a habit, all of which can stem from life’s stresses or past memories. Keep a close eye on the amount you are drinking and don’t lose control. Before you know it, an addiction could branch out if you see it coming. Always remember to stay in control and aware of your alcohol/drug intake.
Be Aware of Triggers
Certain triggers can cause you to spiral into a state of alcohol or drug abuse. They may make you want to drink or use drugs to cope with the stress (of the trigger). These triggers can come in different forms and vary from person to person. It’s important to not let these triggers get the better of you. Common triggers include:
- Negative feelings/moods (depression, anxiety, etc.)
- Excessive stress
- Relationship problems
- Troubles at work or at school
- Financial struggles
While each of these can pose stress and troublesome thoughts, it’s important to not turn to drugs or alcohol to cope. There are other ways to healthily destress and cope with these stressors.
Create a solid stress management system. This can be done with professional help. Don’t be afraid to ask for help; whether it is close family members, friends, or professional counselors, there’s always someone ready to help.
Managing Your Stress Effectively
There are many things that you can do to effectively manage your stress. While there are many stressors that can emerge throughout our lives and through our thoughts, it’s how we react to them that matters.
It can be easy to give up and succumb to the urge to drink or use drugs to take the pain away. While genetics play a factor, it isn’t the end all be all. Everyone deals with problems but it’s how we manage and cope with them that counts. Consider some of the follows techniques and tips for managing stress in a healthy way:
- Mediation
- Yoga
- Exercise and physical activities
- Eating a balanced and healthy diet
- Getting enough sleep
- Develop hobbies (reading, writing, etc.)
- Consider getting a pet
- Spend time outside with nature
- Set aside time for yourself and your thoughts
These are all ways to stay on track and away from substances during times of stress. While it may be tempting, and you may get certain urges to do so, you don’t have to slip into addiction as your past generations did. Be patient and stick closely to a regiment that will help you cope with stress and life’s problems.
Hope is Available, Despite Your Family’s History of Substance Abuse
If you find yourself slipping or struggling with an addiction, it may be time to get help. Regardless of your family’s history of substance abuse, you can change for the better.
At Coastal Detox, we specialize in safe and effective detox. With a wonderful staff and a trusted facility, you will be on your way to a better life in no time. Contact us today to learn more about our drug addiction treatment and other addiction resources.
There are few medications or drugs as addictive as opioids. This is evident in the fact that we are currently in an opioid addiction epidemic. Once a person becomes addicted to opioids, their brain can actually change in behavior and chemistry. People that suffer from opioid addiction also suffer from opioid dependency, which causes them to experience opioid withdrawals. This causes them to then need to consume more and more opioids to function.
The only way to treat opioid withdrawals is to attend medical detox. To help manage opioid withdrawal symptoms before, during, and even after detox, people can also utilize vitamins and opiate withdrawal supplements. This is a valid way of dealing with some of the opioid’s intense withdrawal symptoms and effects on the body.
What are Opioids and Opiates?
Opioids, also referred to as narcotics, are drug compounds that act on the opioid receptors in the body. When opioids do this, they signal the human brain to control feelings of reward and pain. Opioids are either all-natural, semi-synthetic, or fully synthetic. Opioids can also be medicinal or illegal. The illegal form of opioids comes in the form of heroin. While all opiates are opioids, not all opioids are opiates.
Opiates are opioids whose chemical compounds come from the natural opium poppy plant. Thus, all opiates are natural. This also means that opiates aren’t synthetic or semi-synthetic.
Doctors prescribe both opiates and most opioids to patients that are suffering from severe pain. This is because opioids and opiates both interact with the opioid receptors in the human body in a way that increases feelings of pleasure and reduces feelings of pain.
Types of Opioids
When opioids are fully synthetic, it means that they are entirely man-made. When opioids are semi-synthetic, it means that they are partially man-made and partially natural. When opioids are all-natural, not only are they considered opiates, but they are also entirely made in nature.
Opioid antagonists are opioids that interact with the opioid receptors in the body in a way that blocks the effects of opioids. Opioid antagonists block the effects of opioids by attaching to opioid receptors without activating them. In doing so, opioid antagonists block the addictive effects of opioids.
Although opioid antagonists block the addictive effects of opioids, they sometimes release their own effects that can help suppress opioid withdrawal symptoms and cravings. As a result, opioid antagonists make the perfect medications for those experiencing opioid withdrawals in detox.
Below are the lists of all of the well-known synthetic, and semi-synthetic opioids.
Fully Synthetic Opioids
- Fentanyl
- Methadone
- Tramadol
- Levorphanol
Semi-Synthetic Opioids
- Heroin
- Oxymorphone
- Hydrocodone
- Oxycodone
- Hydromorphone
Opioid Antagonists
As mentioned earlier, opioid antagonists are opioids that produce the medicinal effects of opioids without the euphoric effects. Opioid antagonists are used as medications to treat opioid withdrawals.
Examples of opioid antagonists include:
- Naltrexone
- Naloxone
- Buprenorphine
Although an opioid agonist, you can also use methadone to treat your opioid withdrawals.
Types of All-Natural Opiates
- Morphine
- Codeine
- Thebaine
What are Opiate Withdrawals?
Opiate withdrawals occur when someone is dependent on opiates and thus, needs more and more opiates to achieve the same euphoric feelings. All people that suffer from opiate or opioid addiction must also suffer from opioid and/or opiate dependency. This also means that all those that suffer from opioid addiction, suffer from opioid and/or opiate withdrawals. These withdrawals can be severe at times and can completely affect a person’s behavior and mind.
Symptoms of Opiate Withdrawals
There are numerous opiate withdrawal symptoms. People normally suffer from the following opiate withdrawal symptoms when attending opiate detox.
- Yawning
- Insomnia
- Sweating
- Runny nose
- Goss bumps
- Muscle aches
- Digestive issues
- Nausea and vomiting
- Agitation and anxiety
- Restless leg syndrome
- Dilated pupils and tearing
Tools That Can Help People Manage Opiate Withdrawals
Outside of detox and treatment, people that suffer from opiate withdrawals can use numerous vitamins and opiate withdrawal supplements to help them get by. They could also use different tools to help them manage their withdrawal symptoms.
Other tools that people can use to help them manage their opiate withdrawal symptoms include:
- Hydration
- Hydrotherapy
- Topical analgesics
- Anti-nausea medications
- Antidiarrheal medications
- Natural sleep supplements
- Opioid antagonists or methadone
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
- Nutritional support through diet and vitamin supplements
Opiate Withdrawal Supplements
Dietary opiate withdrawal supplements are manufactured pills or liquids that people can consume in replacement of nutritious meals during opiate withdrawal. The purpose of opiate withdrawal supplements is to provide those that are recovering from opiate addiction with the nutrients that their bodies need. All while being able to function at their best and make a full and quick recovery from their addictions.
Opiate withdrawal supplements are necessary because research shows that nutrient deficiency is a consequence of substance abuse and poor eating habits. Opioid and opiate addicts specifically tend to suffer from malnutrition. This is because extensive opioid use damages the body’s intestinal lining. This, in turn, causes the intestine to struggle to absorb nutrients.
When the human body is malnourished, it can prolong the physiological and psychological effects of addiction. This is because nutrition deficiencies can cause the human mind and body to experience chronic inflammation, pain, anxiety, depression, and an imbalance in hormones. Thus, recovering addicts should be proactive and always take their supplements and vitamins.
Common opiate withdrawal supplements include the following:
GABA
GABA is an amino acid that you can find in the human brain. GABA slows down neuron firing which helps calm people down. This is a great dietary supplement for recovering opiate addicts that get easily stressed and excitable to take. Also, GABA is a great dietary supplement for people with any type of anxiety disorder to take.
Protein Powders
Protein powders are good opiate withdrawal supplements because they help repair tissue and organs in the human body that addiction often damages. Protein shakes are also great forms of opiate withdrawal supplements for the same reason.
Calcium and Magnesium
Calcium and magnesium help with any twitches or muscular pain that you might experience during opiate withdrawals. Thus, they help strengthen you and calm you down. Calcium and Magnesium are great options for opiate withdrawal supplements.
B-Vitamins
Three types of B-vitamins include B-complex, B12, and B6. B-complex helps the brain and body produce neurotransmitters and hormones. This will, in turn, help reduce illnesses like anxiety and depression. B12 helps the body produce healthy nerve cells while eliminating the neurotoxic compound homocysteine. While B6 is a required enzymatic cofactor.
Omega-3
If you have low levels of omega-3, it can deplete the levels of dopamine in your brain. This, in turn, can cause you to become depressed and want to use more and more substances to cope. Thus, to avoid diminishing your levels of dopamine, you should take omega-3 opiate withdrawal supplements.
Probiotics
Chronic opiate abuse damages your gut’s lining. Therefore, consuming probiotics to help you restore your gut health will help your body absorb more nutrients more efficiently.
Vitamins for Opiate Withdrawal
Another way to get the nutrients that your body needs while going through opiate withdrawal is to consume more vitamins. You can consume many of the vitamins that your recovering body needs through herbs, vegetables, fruits, and multivitamins. Some of the vitamins for opiate withdrawal are described below.
Multivitamins
Taking multivitamins every day is probably the easiest way to gain vitamins for opiate withdrawal. As a result, doctors often tell their patients that are suffering from opiate withdrawals to start taking multivitamins immediately.
Passionflower
Passionflower is a vitamin-filled herb that people sometimes use to help them treat their opiate withdrawals. In fact, when accompanied by the opiate withdrawal treatment drug clonidine, the people using passionflower exhibit less opiate withdrawal symptoms. Researchers think that passionflower is effective in treating opiate withdrawal because it affects multiple chemicals in the brain.
Vitamin C
When consumed in high doses, vitamin C has been proven to help reduce withdrawal symptoms in recovering heroin addicts. This is because of the overall health benefits of vitamin C. Thus, vitamin C should have the ability to reduce opiate withdrawal symptoms as well.
Ginseng
Ginseng is a traditional Chinese herb and one of many vitamins for opiate withdrawal. Research shows that consuming ginseng during opiate withdrawals can help you improve your mood.
Acetyl-L-carnitine
Acetyl-L-carnitine is a widely used vitamin and opiate withdrawal supplement. The carnitine in acetyl-L-carnitine is a chemical building block for the body. Studies show that acetyl-L-carnitine helps to improve muscle symptoms and sleep issues due to opiate withdrawal.
Coastal Detox Will Make Sure That Your Detox and Addiction Treatment Experience Is As Comfortable As Possible
At Coastal Detox, we provide specialized detox programs for those trying to get clean from all kinds of substances. Whether you need to get clean from opiates, heroin, marijuana, fentanyl, Xanax, alcohol, or some other type of substance, we’ve got you covered.
On top of providing you with high-quality detox, we also offer addiction treatment, holistic care, and clinical therapy at our center. We are a one-stop for all of your addiction treatment needs.
As a free-standing state-licensed medical detox center, we here at Coastal Detox understand how difficult it is to go through withdrawal symptoms. That’s why we make sure to utilize any sort of medication, vitamin, or supplement that can help our patients healthily get through withdrawal.
Ultimately, we do what’s best for all of our patients. That’s why we prioritize client health, safety, comfort, and privacy for all of our patients. Thus, you can rest assured that you’re receiving quality care at our detox center. To learn more about Coastal Detox and the services that we offer, feel free to contact us anytime. We are open 24 hours a day.
The difference between addiction and physical dependence is that addiction is a complex disease that generally implies a physical dependence on drugs. It’s easy to get these two terms mixed up. But when it comes to the “addiction vs. dependence” debate, it’s important to know the difference.
Fortunately, we’re here to help you understand how addiction and dependence differ. The more you educate yourself on the topic, the better prepared you’ll be to help yourself or someone you love. Keep reading to learn more about the characteristics of addiction and physical dependence.
What is Physical Dependence?
Physical dependence means that an individual can’t function regularly without the use of a substance. This dependency on a drug interferes with their ability to fulfill the responsibilities of their daily lives. Drugs alter the chemical makeup of your brain. Over time, these chemical changes lead to tolerance.
Tolerance occurs when you need more of a particular substance to achieve the same high initially felt at a lower dose. This occurs as a result of your body becoming used to the substance.
When an individual who depends on drugs tries to stop using them, they start developing withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms are your body’s response to learning how to function without the drug. Withdrawal symptoms range in severity but are usually pretty discomforting.
These symptoms can include nausea, headaches, depression, anxiety, insomnia, and many others. Dependence can also be a tell-tale sign that addiction is about to or already taking place.
What is Addiction?
Addiction occurs when an individual continues to partake in substance abuse despite negative consequences. They may want to stop, but feel like they lost control and can’t. Similarly to dependence, addiction is a result of chemicals changing in the brain.
As these changes take place, the brain’s reward and motivation system become affected. These effects have serious negative consequences. Addiction takes a toll on individual physical, mental, and emotional health. All areas of their life can become severely affected by the disease.
What is the Difference Between Physical Dependence and Addiction?
Physical dependence is generally what causes tolerance and withdrawal (physical effects), while addiction has a more significant mental component. It’s possible to be dependent on a drug without necessarily having an addiction. For example, many individuals may have caffeine withdrawals without being addicted to coffee.
In other words, getting a headache after skipping your morning coffee doesn’t mean you have a caffeine addiction. On the other hand, you can also be addicted to a drug without having a physical dependency on it.
Cocaine addiction generally causes no major withdrawal symptoms, but still prompts compulsive behaviors and neurological changes. This is also similar to something like a gambling addiction.
With addiction, there are changes taking place in the reward system of your brain that causes compulsive drug-seeking behavior. These changes are different from those that cause tolerance or withdrawal.
What are the Signs of a Physical Dependence on Drugs or Alcohol?
The signs of physical dependence vary depending on the drug, length of use, as well as dosage. Physical dependence often shows itself in withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms are how your body adapts to functioning without the substance.
Some physical symptoms that are generally experienced during withdrawal include:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Muscle weakness
- Nightmares
- Body aches
- Sweating
- Nausea
- Vomiting
In certain cases, the more difficult stage of drug withdrawal is the second, post-acute phase. This phase doesn’t occur with every individual.
However, there are many cases in which a severe dependence on drugs leads to acute withdrawal symptoms. Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome (PAWS) must be treated in a medically-accredited treatment center.
Our trained staff of professionals will help you to alleviate these symptoms and keep you safe. The symptoms of PAWS include:
- Insomnia
- Memory problems
- Issues coping with stress
- Lack of physical coordination
- Inability to process and organize thoughts
- Emotional instability or inability to feel emotions
How Do I Know If I Have an Addiction?
Recognizing the signs of drug or alcohol addiction as early on as possible is key. Addiction is a severe disease that affects the person from the inside out.
Issues with relationships, your job or school, and legal complications stemming from substance use can be a major warning sign. Addiction tends to take over an individual’s life making them feel like they have no control. Their addiction runs their daily life.
When assessing yourself or a loved one for addiction, it’s crucial, to be honest, and self-aware. Sometimes we lie to ourselves as a form of protection.
But the truth will be the only thing that sets you free. Once you’re honest about where you or a loved one is, you can seek help and support.
Questions that are helpful to ask include:
- Do you think about drugs or alcohol often?
- Have you ever lied to a doctor to attain prescription drugs?
- Has addiction negatively affected the relationships in your life?
- Do you continue to use drugs or alcohol despite negative consequences?
- Have you ever attempted to stop or reduce your substance use but weren’t able to?
The Statistics of Drug and Alcohol Addiction/Dependence
Although physical dependence and addiction have different definitions, they often intertwine. In many cases, an individual with addiction is also dealing with a physical dependence on the drug.
As we navigate physical dependence vs. addiction, it’s helpful to be aware of how our nation is impacted. The National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) states that 19.7 million American adults (aged 12 and older) battled a substance use disorder in 2017.
Nearly 74% of adults struggled with an alcohol use disorder in 2017 as well. Furthermore, 8.5 million American adults suffered from both a mental health disorder and a substance use disorder, also known as co-occurring disorders, in 2017. These statistics are a wake-up call. We must help our loved ones and communities overcome the shackles of addiction.
How Can I Get Help for Drug Addiction or Physical Dependence?
Fortunately, there are many treatment options available for drug addiction and physical dependence. We’ll customize a treatment plan specifically tailored to your needs.
With the right resources and support, you can overcome addiction. Keep reading to get a better understanding of treatment services that our recovery center offers.
Detoxification
The first step of treatment is generally the detox process. This is when your body rids itself of harmful chemicals accumulated as a result of addiction.
In many instances, medical intervention is a part of detoxification. Because the body becomes dependent, withdrawal symptoms occur as a result. Medication can help alleviate a lot of the discomfort felt during the detox process.
Attempting a program without first going through detox will only mean distraction and less effective treatment. You will also leave yourself open to a higher chance of relapse in the future. A drug detox center allows your body to rebalance itself and will enable you to begin learning how to manage your cravings.
Residential Treatment
Residential treatment, also known as inpatient rehabilitation, is the most intensive level of care. Inpatient treatment provides around-the-clock medical care and support.
These treatment programs usually last between 28 to 90 days. The recovering individual will also live at our center as they undergo addiction treatment.
Residential treatment includes services such as:
- Group therapy
- Individual therapy
- Family therapy
- Psychotherapy
- Medical appointments
- Wellness and fitness activities
- Family program participation
- Nutritional assessment
- Spiritual care
- Educational and experiential workshops
- Continuing care planning
Partial Hospitalization Programs
Partial hospitalization is a step down from residential treatment, but more intensive than outpatient rehabilitation. Patients typically take part in PHPs when they experience severe symptoms, but not severe enough for 24/7 supervision.
Members of a PHP will travel to our recovery center three to five days a week for several hours each day. Treatment will incorporate many of the same treatment services in residential treatment. PHPs are especially beneficial for those with responsibilities outside of treatment such as taking care of a child or attending school.
Outpatient Treatment
An outpatient treatment program is the most flexible treatment option for those seeking addiction recovery. Individuals will travel to our recovery center with the ability to return home after. Scheduled sessions that take place at various agreed-upon times each week. This is ideal for patients who have a stable at-home environment or need an aftercare option.
Intensive Outpatient Treatment
An IOP is also referred to as an intensive outpatient program. An intensive outpatient program is made up of regularly scheduled sessions for addiction and co-occurring disorders treatment.
IOPs offer flexibility while still making time for rigorous treatment. The American Society of Addiction Medicine Levels of care guidelines states that intensive outpatient programs must last between nine and 20 hours per week. Services offered in an intensive outpatient program include evidence-based therapies, support groups, and access to certain amenities.
Addiction vs. Dependence, You Can Begin the Road to Recovery Today!
At Coastal Detox, our goal is to pave the path for long-term sobriety and a life of newfound fulfillment. We believe that every individual holds enormous potential. With the right tools, you can uncover your potential and rediscover the joys of life.
If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to give us a call. You can contact us here to begin your recovery journey today.
What is a Residential Treatment Program?
A residential treatment program is a form of inpatient drug rehab for people who are dealing with mental illness and substance use addiction. This type of program requires people to live at the facility where they are receiving treatment. Residential treatment is for people with a long and severe history of addiction that requires a high level of monitoring.
Types of Residential Treatment
1. Short-term Residential Treatment
Short-term residential treatment programs require their members to live in a treatment facility while participating in a rehab program for anywhere from a couple of weeks to 6 months.
2. Long-Term Residential Treatment
Long-term residential treatment programs require their members to live in a treatment facility while participating in a rehab program for anywhere from 6 months to 12 months.
Differences Between Residential Treatment and Other Forms of Treatment
Residential Treatment vs. Regular Inpatient Rehab
Although residential treatment and regular inpatient drug rehab both require their members to live in a drug rehab facility of some sort, the environment that the members must live in each of these two rehab options is very different. For one, during inpatient rehab, members must spend part of their time staying in a hospital. This is partly because people that need inpatient rehab still need to participate in some sort of detox.
On the other hand, during residential treatment, members do not have to stay in a hospital at any time, as they are usually further along in their detox. In fact, the rehab facility that residential treatment members must stay in is very much like a comfortable home or housing community.
Although both residential treatment and regular inpatient treatment are made for people suffering from intense levels of addiction that require high levels of monitoring, inpatient rehab requires more restrictions and monitoring than residential rehab.
Residential Treatment vs. Outpatient Treatment
Again, residential treatment requires its members to live in the facility that they will receive their rehab treatment in. Outpatient treatment very much differs from residential treatment in that during outpatient treatment, the members can live at home while going to a rehab center once or twice a week for 1 or 2 hours.
Unlike residential treatment, which is for people with little to no control over their addiction and health, outpatient treatment is for people that are relatively healthy and are far along in their addiction recovery journey.
Residential Treatment vs. Intensive Outpatient Treatment
Similar to outpatient treatment, intensive outpatient treatment allows its members to live at home and just make trips to a rehab facility to receive treatment. The main difference between regular outpatient rehab and intensive outpatient rehab is in the amount of time that you must spend at a rehab facility once you go there.
During regular outpatient rehab, you only need to go to a rehab facility for treatment once or twice a week for 1 or 2 hours. On the other hand, during intensive outpatient treatment, you have to go to the rehab facility around 3 times a week for around 3 hours each time.
Residential Treatment vs. Partial Hospitalization Treatment
Residential treatment differs from partial hospitalization treatment in many ways. For one, residential treatment requires its members to live at the inpatient drug rehab center during treatment. On the other hand, partial hospitalization is another form of treatment that does not require its patients to live and stay overnight at a rehab facility.
Although partial hospitalization treatment does not require its patients to live and stay overnight at a rehab facility, it is still very different from standard outpatient treatment. This is because, during partial hospitalization treatment, patients must attend treatment at a rehab facility for around 7 or 8 hours a day before returning home. In other words, partial hospitalization treatment patients live all day at their treatment facilities but stay the night at their own homes.
Another difference between partial hospitalization treatment and residential treatment is that partial hospitalization treatment requires its patients to spend some time receiving medical attention at a hospital during the time that they are in treatment. This differs from residential treatment in which members do not have to spend any time in a hospital.
Residential vs. Inpatient Outpatient Treatment
Residential treatment also differs from inpatient outpatient treatment in many ways. For one, in inpatient outpatient treatment, members do not have to leave the comfort of their home to receive treatment. Instead, medical professionals and therapists come to the members’ home multiple times a week to give them treatment. This is unlike residential treatment in which its members must live in the inpatient drug rehab center where they are receiving treatment while receiving treatment.
Signs That You May Need to Enter a Residential Treatment Program
- Your level of addiction is severe.
- You’ve suffered from addiction for a long time.
- You do not have the motivation to change.
- You suffer from a co-occurring mental illness.
- Your home life is unstable and dysfunctional.
- There is little to no support for your sobriety at home.
- You’re exhibiting harmful behaviors that require monitoring.
- You have had little to no success with outpatient drug rehab.
Should You Still Seek Residential Treatment During a Pandemic?
During a pandemic such as COVID-19, you may be wondering if seeking residential treatment for your addiction is a good idea right now. Well, we are here to tell you that it most definitely is!
You should never hold back on receiving the physical and mental health help that you need, even during a pandemic such as the coronavirus. This is especially true since we do not know how long the current COVID-19 pandemic will last. Besides, you will be more able to fight off the virus if you are clean, sober, and healthy.
When it comes to seeking out a residential addiction treatment program, just make sure that the treatment facility that you choose is taking all the necessary precautions to keep you and the other members at the facility healthy and safe during the pandemic.
Necessary Health Precautions at Residential Treatment Programs During a Pandemic
1. Testing Their Members and Workers
When looking at possible residential treatment programs to attend during a pandemic like the one we’re currently facing, check to see if they are testing possible members prior to accepting them.
Does the residential inpatient drug rehab center that you are considering attending ever ask to test you? Or does it require you to test yourself for the current virus prior to allowing you to live in the facility? If not, may not be a safe enough facility for you to attend during these times.
2. Medical Staff Is On Hand
During a pandemic, it is vital that you have access to a medical team at all times. Having constant access to doctors and nurses while in a residential treatment center will make it possible for you to safely continue staying at the center if you were to ever get sick.
3. Limiting the Number of People That They Are Accepting at Their Facilities
When looking at possible residential treatment programs to attend during the pandemic, make sure that they are limiting the number of people they are allowing to stay at the center at one time.
You should also ensure that the residential treatment center is following any capacity limitation rules set forth by the state. If you find that they are not abiding by their state’s capacity rules, look at attending another facility.
4. Practicing Social Distancing
Like everyone else, the residents within a residential treatment facility should be standing around 6 ft apart from one another when possible to maintain social distancing during the pandemic.
Before signing up to receive treatment at a residential inpatient drug rehab center, make sure to inquire about whether or not they are practicing social distancing. Also, if you ever get the chance to visit the facility prior to deciding on becoming a member, watch to see if everyone is social distancing themselves.
5. Utilizing Telehealth Services
To maintain social distancing during a pandemic, every residential treatment program should utilize technology to provide its members with treatment and therapy services from a distance. Technology that provides treatment and therapy services is called telehealth treatment.
6. Wearing Masks
When residing in a residential treatment program facility during a pandemic, it is vital that everyone wears their masks as much as possible. If a residential treatment center does not provide its members with complimentary masks or require all its members to wear masks during a pandemic, it may not be the safest option for you.
7. Disinfecting/Sanitizing Their Facilities
All residential treatment centers should take extra measures to intensely disinfect their facilities on a regular basis during a pandemic. Before registering to live in a residential treatment center, ask about any cleaning measures that the facility is taking. If the facility is not taking any particular measures to stay germ-free, consider going to another residential treatment center.
8. Clear Procedures and Measures are in Place for When Someone Receives the Virus
Any residential treatment center should have clear procedures and measures in place for when someone gets the coronavirus at this time. For example, a residential treatment center should already have a procedure ready for when a member or worker needs to be quarantined.
Coastal Detox is The Treatment Facility to Go to During the Pandemic
If you are looking to attend a residential treatment center as soon as possible, look no further than Coastal Detox’s very own inpatient residential treatment program. Our residential treatment program offers standard holistic treatment services and amenities. It also provides continuous medical, clinical, and psychiatric care.
Due to the highly equipped medical and clinical staff at our residential treatment program, there is no better place to receive residential treatment during a pandemic than at one owned by a detox center such as Coastal Detox.
There’s no need to wait any longer to find the hope you need at this time. Addiction does not have to be a part of your life any more. You can find freedom today! To learn more about Coastal Detox and our inpatient treatment program, contact us through phone or message 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
The short answer is, ambulatory detox is a detoxification program that works on an outpatient basis. Most people describe the home setting as their preferred choice for supervised detoxification. Many more might be willing to initiate detox if they can do it at home.
The patient is supervised in their home by a caregiver and receives daily visits from a registered nurse or a general practitioner during ambulatory detox. The process needs to be monitored, just as it does in a treatment center and the suitable interventions used.
The addiction epidemic in America has become a driving force that calls for creative treatment programs that can produce results efficiently. The cost of continuing with the status quo is too great in terms of human lives.
The Goals of Home-based Detox
Some of the things an outpatient or home-based detox program seeks to achieve are as follows:
- Monitor the patient’s mood
- Plan and coordinate aftercare
- Maintain a commitment to withdrawal
- Manage symptoms of withdrawal in a supportive setting
- Provide an opportunity for early intervention if anything negative occurs
- Educate people about the progression of withdrawal and the possibility of lasting symptom
How Ambulatory Detox Can Help You
High Success Rate
An ambulatory detox pattern gives patients a combined approach that brings a high success rate at a lower cost, compared to a traditional inpatient treatment type.
Although not welcome in the traditional treatment community, this innovative method of detoxing people off alcohol, benzodiazepines, and opiates in an outpatient setting has proven to be effective.
It is understandable why there is resistance to welcoming this type of treatment. Detoxification from alcohol and benzodiazepines had never been tried on an outpatient basis because of the risk of seizures and stroke when patients go home each day.
Significant Saving
This treatment model can save patients a substantial amount of money. Even though the length of time spent at the detox level is greater in ambulatory detox, the cost of care is about 40% lower. This is accomplished by eliminating the overnight stays. This is the unicorn in the field of medicine. Better outcomes in medicine typically come at a significantly higher cost.
Less Disturbance at Home
Outpatient detox is usually more acceptable to patients because it doesn’t disrupt the home situation to be able to access treatment. This helps reduce the stigma of the disease by normalizing it. People with other chronic diseases like diabetes do not require that the patient be confined in a hospital.
Integration with Home Environment
The patient will eventually have to learn to live in his or her home environment. Outpatient detox makes it easier to tailor therapy to meet the patient’s needs in the specific home environment. This helps the patient learn to cope with his actual living conditions.
Family Involvement
The support system for any patient is his loved ones and family members. Ambulatory detox gives them a better chance to be involved in the treatment, with the consent of the patient. Family participation assures the patient of a higher level of support at home and to maintain sobriety over the long-term.
Longer Length of Stay
Because ambulatory care is less expensive, health insurance providers are able to extend the length time in treatment. As a result of this, medication can be tapered more slowly and patients are able to take part in therapy and start making changes that strengthen their sobriety.
Because of this, the treatment community is now more convinced that ambulatory detox is a safe alternative to inpatient treatment.
Who Can Benefit from Ambulatory Detox?
Home detoxification is appropriate if:
- No severe or complicated withdrawal symptoms are likely
- No medical complications requiring close monitoring or hospital treatment are apparent
- Psychiatric symptoms such as psychosis or depression can be safely managed at home
- The patient has strong social support (family members and caregivers will require education and support for themselves)
- The home environment is stable, supportive and drug-free
- The patient has not previously failed at ambulatory detox
- The patient is committed to achieving detox and withdrawal
It has been estimated that almost 50% of the patients who visit a primary care provider have some sort of issue related to substance use. And, since the physician may be the first contact for them, the start of treatment often begins in the family doctor’s office.
Physicians need to be cautious when determining who may go through an ambulatory detox safely. Generally, outpatient treatment is just as effective as inpatient treatment for patients with mild to moderate withdrawal symptoms. The ambulatory model is helpful for younger patients who might have a fear of being sent away for treatment. This motivates them to not hide their addiction from their parents.
Ambulatory Detox: Levels of Care
Ambulatory detox without extensive onsite observation—This level of detoxification is an organized outpatient service. This level is designated Level I-D by the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM). It may take place in an office setting, healthcare or addiction treatment facility, or the patient’s home.
Service is supplied by trained medical professionals. They provide medically-supervised evaluation, detoxification, and referral services according to a preset schedule, and in regularly scheduled sessions.
This level of care is appropriate only when a helpful and positive social network is available for the patient. Detox services should be designed to treat the patient’s level of addiction severity. This will enable a safe and comfortable withdrawal from drugs and ease the patient’s transition into treatment and recovery.
The ambulatory model is helpful for younger patients who might have a fear of being sent away for treatment. This motivates them to not hide their addiction from their parents.
Ambulatory detox with extended onsite observation (ASAM Level II-D)—The availability of appropriately credentialed and licensed nurses is essential to this level of care. They monitor the patient over several hours each day of service. Alternatively, this level of detoxification is also an outpatient service.
Similar to Level I-D, in this level of care, services are provided during regularly scheduled services using a defined set of procedures and medical rules. Services are designed to treat the patient’s level of addiction severity and have a safe and comfortable withdrawal from drugs or alcohol and to ease the way into further treatment and recovery.
Matching the Patient with the Treatment
Addiction medicine has been seeking to develop an effective system of care that matches patients’ medical needs with the appropriate care environment. It needs to be matched in the least restrictive and cost-effective method. Obstacles to effective placement matching come from several factors.
- Shortages in the full range of care settings and levels of care.
- Limitations set by insurance companies (strictly sticking to admission standards)
- Clinicians’ lack of authority ( and occasionally enough knowledge) to decide the most appropriate setting and level of care.
- Insurance that doesn’t have a substance use disorder benefits as part of the patient’s coverage.
- The patient doesn’t have any health coverage at all.
About Least Restrictive Care
Least restrictive care refers to the civil rights of patients and their right to choose their care. There are four important points.
- Patients should be treated in settings that interfere least with their civil right and freedom to take part in society.
- Patients should be able to disagree with recommendations about their care. This includes the right to refuse care. It also includes the right to receive care in the setting of their choice. (This depends on the consideration of danger and mental competency.)
It gives the patient the right to get a higher or different level of care than what the physician had planned.
- Patients should be informed and participate in designing their plan for care. This should be done in cooperation with their healthcare providers.
- There must be careful consideration of State laws and policies for patients who aren’t able to act in their own best interests. The legal complications of this issue will vary from state to state.
The Future for Inpatient Detox
Ambulatory detox treatment has shown some solid promise for further growth. But that doesn’t mean that inpatient facilities are in jeopardy. As mentioned previously, it may not be right for everyone. Fortunately, there are other options one may consider:
Medically-monitored inpatient detox—If you are intoxicated or experiencing withdrawal, this provides 24-hour supervision and support. The main objective, in this case, is to make sure the patient is stable enough to go to another level of care.
Residential detoxification—Residential detox programs provide 24-hour supervision and support for patients that are in withdrawal. Residential settings vary in the level of care provided. The facilities with intensive medical supervision including doctors, nurse practitioners, and nurses are able to handle all but the most severe complications of withdrawal. Facilities with less intensive levels of care should have a collaborative relationship with a medical institution in the case of emergencies.
Live the Addiction-Free Life You Deserve: Contact Coastal Detox Today!
You have the right to live a full life. Also, you have the right to think about more than getting the next supply of your drug of choice or alcohol. You have the right to find the treatment that can get you where you want to go. Coastal Detox can help you. You don’t have to do anything alone.
Reach out to our team today; our compassionate and knowledgeable team can design a program that will get you on the road to recovery and health. What are you waiting for? It’s your right to live free from substance use disorder and we’re here to make that happen!
Self-care is made of measures you take to improve your well-being and general health. While it is often used in a context outside of addiction, self-care is an important part of addiction recovery. People will often use the term self-care to describe minor actions, such as a spa day or buying something expensive. But if they are short-term decisions, they won’t do much. Self-care is much more than that, and it is vital for everyone.
When it comes to self-care in addiction recovery, the role of these activities is to help in areas of life that detox alone won’t. The emotional aspect of recovery is just as important as the medical, physical, or psychological ones as well. Relapse has many stages, and one of them is emotional relapse. In fact, poor self-care is not only part of emotional relapse, but it can actually be a trigger for it.
Multiple factors in recovery can make someone fall back into old habits. Emotionally, those who struggled with addiction need to:
- Understand they are worthy of care and deserve to recover
- Forgive themselves for what they have done and what they have gone through
- Know that their addiction does not define them
- Start feeling comfortable with themselves
- Process and comprehend their feelings, their value, and their worth
- Care for symptoms related to mental and/or substance abuse disorders (anxiety, depression, etc.)
- Avoid self-isolation
- Find a sense of purpose
These and many other topics are part of why self-care is important through recovery. Self-care activities are meant to help address these issues and enable recovering addicts to get help. They take time, take work, and some might even seem too hard to go through. But in the long run, these will help prevent relapse, overcome addiction, and improve quality of life.
What Is Self-Care?
Self-care should be comprised of several activities meant to help a recovering addict take care of themselves. Can the previously mentioned spa day count as self-care? Sure! But that alone will not be enough, since it is a one-time-only activity. Self-care should be several daily activities with the purpose of improving one’s general lifestyle, too. A person should come up with a self-care plan in order to make sure they are covering all the bases.
Because self-care activities will depend on a person’s preferences, personality, and needs, it will be different for each person. There isn’t really a readymade list, and each person will have to make their own self-care plan. There is no use in forcing yourself to do something perceived as self-care if it does you no good. You should consider what makes you feel better, and what you lack in your life.
Self-care should not be harmful to you in any way. For instance, if traveling is on your list, you should do it in a way that will not make you stressed, anxious, or depressed. If you have seasonal depression, don’t go somewhere with few daylight hours. If you don’t like planes, consider a road trip. If you have a problem with gambling, avoid destinations like Las Vegas. You should take a lot into account when making your self-care plan.
How To Make a Self-Care Plan – 10 Useful Tips
When thinking of what to include in your self-care plan, there are a few categories of activities to pick from: mental, emotional (and/or spiritual), physical, social. Ideally, having a little bit of each should help you have a more balanced self-care plan. The whole point of the plan is to tackle as much as possible, in a way you’re comfortable with, so that you can work on everything while following it.
The different activities should be defined by the “owner” of the plan. However, there are some things to keep in mind when picking them that could help you make up your mind. Here are some tips on each of the categories:
Mental
1) Find balance in your short- and long-term plans – Having a routine is important for a number of reasons, and not just so you can organize yourself. It is important to know when to work and/or study and when to take time off. Save some time for the other important parts of your life, like socializing, having quality family time, working on a hobby, etc.
This balance is also important in the long run. Vacations or breaks throughout the year should not be taken for granted. They should be a way to recharge your batteries.
2) Disconnect once in a while – There’s no need to delete all of your social media accounts, but taking some time off could be beneficial. It is easy to become overstimulated and overwhelmed by social media without realizing it. And reading the news constantly might trigger a lot of negative emotions. You can try to cut down your daily time spent online, or maybe take one weekly day off. Whatever your job and routine allow you to do!
Emotional And/Or Spiritual
3) Find counseling and/or therapy – Before, during, and after recovery, counseling and therapy are vital. From relapse prevention to mental health treatment, they are one of the pillars of recovery. For those who need prescription medication, psychotherapy is also highly recommended. Therapy groups, or support groups, are a crucial part of recovery, helping combat feelings of loneliness, purposelessness, and making you feel understood.
Counseling can also help you set goals and/or milestones for yourself and find out how you can follow through. This can also allow you to feel purposeful and acknowledge that you are growing. These are all ways to keep yourself on track and moving forward towards a healthy objective.
4) Keep a journal – Writing or recording what you feel is not only a great way to vent. It can actually help you acknowledge, recognize, and process your feelings. Recovery is a very emotional process, so being aware of your feelings is part of it. Registering your experiences will help you see how much you have evolved in the future, too.
Some people also keep what is called a mood journal. It is a good way to learn more about your emotions – what triggers them, recognize warning signs, and find a healthy coping mechanism. This in-depth analysis is a great way to understand yourself and to improve your behavior and attitude.
5) Holistic therapy and activities – From acupuncture to meditation, holistic medicine has been applied by numerous treatment centers. They have been proven effective in improving well-being and mindfulness. Many believe holistic therapy is a great way to help align the mind and the body through recovery. The natural imbalance that comes from substance abuse requires special attention that holistic therapy can provide.
Physical
6) Fix both exercising and sleeping habits – Exercising and sleeping well are important to help release important chemicals, such as endorphins. This will help a body that is out of balance due to prolonged substance abuse pick itself up. They also help improve your immune system along with brain functionality.
7) Have a healthy diet – Going on crazy diets is not the same as being healthy. You need to find the diet that works for you in terms of nutrition, routine, and even budget. Make sure to think of it as a way to “relearn” how to eat rather than a diet to lose weight or get muscular. Ultimately, your goal should be getting healthier. Avoiding foods that might be harmful to you is important, too, like caffeine or sugary snacks.
Social
8) Know who you should surround yourself with – Sobering up means making changes to your social circles. You need to have supportive people around you and cut all ties with negative influences. Be with people that respect your boundaries (i.e.: not going to bars) and your sober lifestyle.
9) Volunteer – Volunteering allows you to help others while also making new connections. It can be a great way to get to know your community and your neighbors. You can choose to do something specific to your skill set, or learn something completely new! In general, it is an opportunity to work on multiple items that are vital for recovery.
10) Adopt a pet – Studies have stated that having a pet can make you healthier and happier. An unconditional, loving friendship can elevate dopamine and serotonin levels. In layman’s terms, they can reduce stress levels and balance the mind. The act of caring for a pet and feeling loved by them are truly effective remedies.
Sail Through Recovery at Coastal Detox
Transitioning into a new, sober life is no easy feat, and it has an emotional toll. Having emotional support during recovery is as important as any other aspect of treatment. That is why we at Coastal Detox offer multiple services meant to help you emotionally as you recover.
Our center is equipped with a Holistic Room, Wellness Groups, a zen garden, and even a gym. This way, you will be able to actually fulfill many of your possible goals for your self-care plan!
If you have any questions or would like to have a tour of our facilities, contact us today. Our team will be happy to provide any information you need and guide you through the process of recovery. We believe in emotional, mental recovery, and we are here to support you!
