Substance abuse and addiction affect hundreds of thousands of Massachusetts residents and their families. Addiction, which refers to a repeated pattern of harmful substance misuse, can affect a person physically, mentally, and psychologically.
Recovery from drug addiction is possible. For people who have become dependent on drugs like alcohol or opioids, the first step towards addiction recovery is detoxification. Massachusetts is home to a range of drug detoxification treatment options to help residents become and stay sober.
At Recovering Champions, we understand how difficult it can be to admit you have a problem and to seek help. Here, you’ll find information about New England drug detox, what comes after detox, and an overview of our addiction treatment center.
Who Needs Detox?
Detoxification, or detox, is the process of removing toxic substances from the body. This includes addictive substances. Drug and alcohol detox is needed when someone has become physically dependent on drugs or alcohol.
Drug detox may be suitable for the following:
- alcohol addiction
- opioid and opiate addiction
- benzodiazepine addiction
- cocaine addiction
- prescription stimulant addiction
- methamphetamine addiction
- addiction to other prescription sedatives
Drug dependence develops over a period of chronic substance misuse. You can also become dependent on prescription drugs like Xanax or opioids through chronic use, even if you take these drugs as prescribed.
Drug dependence can cause symptoms of withdrawal within six to 36 hours after your last dosage. Depending on the type of drug, withdrawal can cause a range of symptoms that may be mild to severe in nature.
Side Effects And Dangers Of Withdrawal
Becoming addicted to a drug can make it difficult to stop taking it. Chronic substance abuse can make you feel reliant on drugs physically and psychologically.
Trying to quit drugs on your own can be dangerous. Alcohol withdrawal and benzodiazepine withdrawal, for instance, can cause serious and life-threatening symptoms without medical support.
Dangers of drug withdrawal include:
- severe dehydration
- irregular heartbeat
- high body temperature
- dramatic changes in blood pressure
- difficulty breathing
- psychosis (e.g. hallucinations, delusions)
- seizures
- coma
- death
Medically supervised detox is highly recommended for people with severe or chronic drug addiction issues. Outpatient detox programs are also offered by some Massachusetts detox centers, although this is typically not recommended for people who are at risk for severe withdrawal symptoms.
Medical Detox Programs
Medical detox programs are acute inpatient detox programs that provide 24-hour medical supervision and professional care. Medical detox is highly recommended for people who are at risk for severe withdrawal and relapse.
Healthcare professionals can provide treatment during the acute withdrawal process, which may last anywhere from three to 14 days. After detox, behavioral health staff can coordinate continued care in a drug or alcohol rehab program.
Outpatient Detox
Some Massachusetts rehab centers offer outpatient detox options for people with mild addiction issues, or those addicted to drugs that aren’t known to cause severe withdrawal.
Outpatient detox and social detox — a non-pharmaceutical approach to detox — offer less structure and support than medical detox. For people with severe addiction, this carries a higher risk of relapse and medical complications during drug withdrawal.
Drug Detox Treatments In Massachusetts
If you’re looking for detox for yourself or a loved one, consider consulting a doctor to find out which type of detox program is best suited to your needs.
Drug detox treatments in Massachusetts may vary depending on the rehab center, the type of drug you’re detoxing from, and other personal factors.
Medications
Certain medications can help ease withdrawal symptoms and reduce drug cravings. For opioid addiction, detox staff may administer drugs like buprenorphine (Suboxone), methadone, and sedatives to provide a sense of calmness. Medicine may also be administered to prevent or treat medical complications that arise during the withdrawal process.
Learn more Medication-Assisted Treatment
IV Therapy
Some drugs can cause dehydrating symptoms during withdrawal, such as vomiting and diarrhea. As needed, detox staff may administer fluids through a vein to ensure you or your loved one stays hydrated as their body undergoes this recovery process.
Behavioral Therapy
Behavioral therapies are an essential component of drug addiction treatment. Following acute withdrawal, behavioral therapy can teach supportive coping skills to help manage drug cravings and urges to use. It can also help with emotional regulation and treat co-occurring mental health issues, such as depression and anxiety.
Nutritional Supplements
Many people who are addicted to drugs suffer nutritional deficiencies. This can harm physical and mental health. During detox, healthcare staff may offer nutritional supplements to support your physical and psychological recovery through withdrawal.
Benefits Of Drug Detox
Entering a drug detox recovery program is the safest and most effective way to stop using addictive drugs. Drug detox centers can provide medical support, behavioral support, and connect you to additional drug addiction services for substance abuse treatment and aftercare.
What Comes After Detox?
Getting sober is only the first step of the addiction recovery process. Intensive treatment and outpatient treatment is highly recommended after drug detoxification.
Recommended treatment programs include:
- inpatient or residential treatment
- day treatment (partial hospitalization)
- intensive outpatient treatment
- outpatient programs
Drug addiction recovery is a lifelong process. Access to a full continuum of care, from detoxification to outpatient treatment, can reduce your risk of relapse and provide ongoing support as you strengthen your commitment to recovery. For people recovering from opioid addiction, this may include ongoing medication-assisted treatment.
Continue Your Addiction Recovery Journey At Recovering Champions
If you’re looking for continued care after completing drug detox or inpatient treatment in Massachusetts, consider our leading outpatient treatment center in Cape Cod, Massachusetts.
Recovering Champions is an accredited drug abuse and alcohol treatment facility that offers a range of outpatient treatment options.
Our New England rehab center offers:
- day treatment
- intensive outpatient treatment (IOT)
- medication-assisted treatment
- standard outpatient programs
- dual diagnosis care for co-occurring disorders
Our New England recovery center is located about an hour-and-a-half out of Boston and serves all major areas in Massachusetts, including Worcester, Brockton, and Springfield. We also welcome residents traveling from out-of-state.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Recovering Champions has continued to offer life-changing addiction treatment services for people in early drug abuse recovery. Call us today to learn more about our drug addiction treatment programs and treatments we offer.
