Detoxification: Why is Supervised Inpatient Detox a Must?

Written by Brandon Okey. Mina Draskovic, B.Psy., reviewed this content for accuracy.

You have likely heard that supervised inpatient detox is vital during recovery, but why is that the case? Keep reading to find out.

What is Detox?

Detoxification is the process of allowing the body to completely rid itself of the substance it is addicted to. Some common substances individuals detox from include:

Alcohol
THC
Opiates
Heroin
Benzodiazepines
Methamphetamines
Cocaine
Prescription pills

This is the first step to beginning rehab and achieving long-term sobriety. The length of the detox process will vary from person to person depending on the substance they were abusing, the amount of drugs or alcohol they were regularly consuming, the length of time they have been addicted, and their physical makeup.

Why Do People Choose to Detox?

Most people who choose to go through detox begin the process because the effects of drugs and alcohol on their mental and physical health and their lives have become unbearable. Because of this, they are ready to try to get sober and reap the benefits of living a drug-free lifestyle. Some of the benefits former substance abusers see after becoming sober include:

Increased energy levels.
Better focus.
The ability to create structure in their lives- Cultivate a healthy routine, maintain a job, maintain social relationships.
Improved mental health.
Improved physical health.

Additionally, recovered addicts are able to save time and money after addiction because they no longer have to purchase and use drugs to make it through day-to-day life. The benefits of getting sober are clear, and that is why individuals choose to go through the detox process. Continue reading to learn more about detox and withdrawal.

Why Do People Fail During Detox?

The symptoms of withdrawal that are felt during detox are the biggest reason that patients trying to get sober will fail during this process. Withdrawal symptoms can be felt when you cut back on or entirely quit consuming a substance you are addicted to. These symptoms occur because the brain has become accustomed to having the substance and has altered its chemistry to account for it. When you suddenly stop taking the substance, the delicate balance of chemicals in your brain is thrown out of whack, and your brain will go into withdrawal trying to find balance once again. These withdrawal symptoms can tax the body both mentally and physically, making detox a challenging process. Some of the most common withdrawal symptoms include:

Nausea and vomiting
Muscle aches
Shakiness or tremors
Variations in mood
Variations in appetite
Insomnia
Sweating
Congestion or runny nose
Restlessness
Fatigue

The best way to avoid failure due to withdrawal symptoms is to enroll in an inpatient detox program. During supervised inpatient detox, medical professionals can help you to manage these symptoms, making your detox experience more comfortable and giving you a greater chance of success.

Why Is Supervised Inpatient Detox So Vital?

With supervised inpatient detox, you will remain in a facility with 24-hour supervision from medical professionals. These medical professionals will administer medication as needed to help you manage your withdrawal symptoms and assist you in case of any emergency. Additionally, the staff at an inpatient treatment center will be able to provide you with emotional support as well as medical support because sometimes talking through your symptoms and feelings can be just as effective as being medicated for them. In an inpatient facility, you will be provided with the support that you will need to take this big step toward getting sober.

Is Home Detox Possible?

Safe home detox can be possible if you are detoxing from certain substances, but not all. It can be tempting to try to go through the detox process on your own no matter what substance you are addicted to; however, attempting to quit “cold turkey” on your own can be very dangerous, and that is why home detox specifically from alcohol, opiates, and benzodiazepines is highly discouraged. Some withdrawal symptoms can be fatal, several of the most dangerous withdrawal symptoms include:

Hallucinations
Seizures
Heart palpitations
Delirium tremens

The only way to fully protect yourself from these withdrawal symptoms is to enroll yourself in an inpatient detox program.

Will I Have Symptoms With Supervised Detox?

Although many more serious detox symptoms can be avoided through medically supervised detox, some detox symptoms are unavoidable. Some symptoms you may feel even while medically supervised include:

Nausea and vomiting
Nervousness and anxiety
Poor sleep or insomnia
Aches and pains
Trouble concentrating

If you experience any of these symptoms during your inpatient stay it is possible that a medical professional can help you to manage them with medication.

Treat and Taper

Another benefit of inpatient detox is that you can take advantage of the latest approaches and treatment methods that have been studied by experts. At Ardu Recovery Center, we offer a specialized “treat and taper” approach. With this method, we slowly wean patients off of the controlled substance they are addicted to instead of encouraging them to quit “cold turkey.” You will not be given drugs or alcohol during this process, but rather a prescription medication that has a similar effect on the brain. By tapering patients off of controlled substances, we can help them to avoid some dangerous side effects like seizures and delirium tremens.

Contact Ardu Recovery Center

It’s clear that supervised inpatient detox is vital to getting sober from alcohol and benzos safely and effectively. If you require an inpatient treatment facility, you will want to get the best care. Consider contacting the experts at Ardu Recovery Center. At Ardu, we take a medicinal and holistic approach to drug and alcohol detox because we believe that wellness is equally mental and physical. We offer a wide array of detox services and methods so that you can do what works best for you, giving you a higher chance of success. Reach out to us today to schedule a tour of our beautiful rehabilitation center in Provo, Utah, and see if Ardu could be a good fit for you

Brandon Okey is the co-founder of Ardu Recovery Center and is dedicated to empowering people on their journey to sobriety.