Detox: Getting Rid of Bad Habits Report

Introduction

Detox (detoxification) entails processes of therapeutic or psychotherapeutic treatment, for dependency on psychoactive substances such as alcohol, prescription drugs, and such drugs as cocaine, heroin, or amphetamines (Brizer & Castaneda 2010). Its intention and main aim are to enable the patient to completely stop the toxic substance abuse, in order to avoid the psychological, legal, financial, social, and physical consequences that can be caused, especially by extreme abuse (Ries, 2009). Basically, the main goal is to make the patient realize the bad influence of such habits and to help one to cope with this or that form of abuse.

There are two treatment options for drug or alcohol detox: inpatient and outpatient. These two programs can provide an essential level of care to achieve long-term recovery which is really important from the perspective of healthcare. These two sets of treatments have been noted to have in them several variances which make them more or less suitable for a patient’s needs, depending on their level and length of dependence on it (Ries, 2009). They aim at reducing psychosomatic dependency by trying to engage the addict in new ways and means of getting along and adopting in a drug-free environment. It is recommended that the patient learns and fully understands their most appropriate program and is ready to accept it at all costs (Maremmani 2007). They urged to learn all these with the help of a qualified professional group, qualified people, who know the best approaches and the ways of getting to the roots of the problem with the possible solutions and corresponding help.

The following is a well-outlined account of both the inpatient and outpatient treatment.

Inpatient detox

This treatment can also be referred to as domiciliary or a residential cure program where patients are put in a facility that is isolated and drug-free and the patient’s daily activities are monitored (Pettinati, 2008). During the inpatient detoxification program, patients are medically managed 24-hours per day and participate in a daily program designed to increase their understanding of their addiction and continuing care needs (Blanco 2007). At this stage, it is necessary to make the patient realize the seriousness of the addiction and the consequences it may lead to.

Management of co-occurring disorders can be initiated as indicated (Claus, 2007). Inpatient detox involves a safe, supportive, and medically-managed detoxification environment, removed from alcohol and other drugs. Inpatient care centers provide respectful, individualized, confidential treatment medical history review, physical screening and bio-behavioral valuation interaction with important others, (employer, and other treating professionals), the assessment and management of co-occurring disorders, and also professional assistance in recognizing the physical, social and psychological consequences of alcohol/drug use (Ctrang, 2011).

Outpatient detox

This form of cure or treatment is recommended for patients in both the 1^st and 2^nd phases of withdrawal. In these two phases, it is required that the patients be under maximum supervision from willing persons. However, this stage of treatment depends on the level of recovery of the patient or the length of addiction. Patients in either of these phases need not be judged or neglected; they need continuous support and emphatic care from most especially the family members. Personnel of family doctors or health professionals is urged to facilitate and prove the possible and the best chance for a patient’s wellbeing.

There are several correspondences between inpatient and outpatient detox. They are as follows below:

• Both of these treatment methods are suggested to involve close family members, couples or be conducted in group forms.
• Inpatient and outpatient detox assist in addressing predicaments brought about by the addicted persons, their families, or society as a whole (Weinberg, 2008).
• The main aim of both inpatient and outpatient detox is to afford a sense of regulation and direction to the patient, their families as well as having the entire community educated about alcoholism, how to have and meet goals towards treatment and recovery (Doweiko, 2010).

Rehab and detox

Majority of rehabilitation centers personalized detoxification programs. They have come up with measures that require the patients to go through full detoxification before getting admission to their facilities (Moreirs, 2011). It has become a necessary requirement for the patients to first get cleaned up and temperate before gaining access to these rehabilitation centers. The main aim of these rehabilitation centers is to help an already clean and sober patient go through the withdrawal phase. Professionals in these rehabilitation centers are adequately trained and equipped with the corresponding knowledge to assist the patient to go through the withdrawal phase by providing specified care in dealing with drug and alcohol withdrawal symptoms (Minozzi, 2009).

Treatment

Most people, diagnosed with alcohol, drug, and substance abuse or addiction, have been noted to have an alarming dilemma with denial (Dunn, 2010). This state of being in denial poses serious difficulties in the bid to treat and cure alcohol, drug, and substance abuse in the entire community. Addiction, as a problem, has received several treatments some that have workers and others not (Williams, 2007). Medication and social or behavioral remedy most importantly when used on a patient together become a significant component of an overall treatment process which most frequently starts with detoxification (Mardi, 2011). It has been documented that approximately three million Americans (1.6% of the adult population) have used benzodiazepine a sedative that is known for causing sleeplessness (Ovsiew, 2009). This percentage ­uses and abuse the drug on a daily basis for at least a year. This continuous dependency on the drug can easily lead to addiction (McQueen, 2011).

According to the Journal of Postgraduate Medicine, up to 25 percent of patients who take an underdose experience withdrawal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, dizziness, headache, anxiety, irritability, insomnia, and chills (Amato, 2011).

Usage

Alcohol, drug, and substance abuse is rampant in both men and women of different ages and from different social backgrounds (Hughes, 2008). Studies however show that women in treatment relapses are far much less frequent than those experienced by their male counterparts (Glifford, 2010). This is more or less because women are more likely to engage in group counseling involving their families, spouses, and friends (Myrick, 2009). Alcohol, drug, and substance addiction should in turn be treated and handled carefully and with great caution to avoid unnecessary future relapses among patients (Wilsons & Kolander,2011).

Recovery

In the recovery phase, it is very important for the recovering patient to maintain the following:

• Observe and maintain strict abstinence.
• Get involved in healthy relationships.
• Get proper nutrition and hygiene.
• Exercise regularly and get enough rest.
• Finding ways or people to confide in during problems.

In-depth research indicates that alcohol abuse and addiction lead to high rates of morbidity and deaths (Sechi, 2007). This addiction also leads to an increase of risks for many chronic diseases and acute consequences which includes traffic carnages (Barlow, 2008).

Evidence-based

This is a practice that a professional uses to make important decisions as far as which for of treatment to impose on the patient (Gowing, 2009a). It includes various forms of health care practices, the possible harm from contact to specific treatment drug, and the accuracy of a diagnostic test (Gowing, 2009b).

Conclusion

Prescription and behavioral remedy, especially when combined, are important elements of an overall treatment process that often begins with detoxification which is a part of the recovery, followed by management and relapse deterrence (Green, 2011). Easing withdrawal symptoms and preventing relapses among patients is deemed necessary in the treatment initiation (Hecksel, 2008). Continuous care that includes a customized treatment regimen, addressing all aspects of an individual’s life, including medical and mental health services and, as follow–up options, can be crucial to a patient’s success in achieving and maintaining a drug-free lifestyle (Abadinsky, 2011).

It goes without saying that people who suffer from any kind of addiction, should not be left without proper attention and should be given appropriate help once they are notice to abuse alcohol, drugs and such harmful things that many people find so easy to get addicted to. Help, concern and care should first come from the family members, friends then later from a medical professional.

Finally, modern treatment methods should help patients get involved in personalized treatment process; it should assist in modifying each patient’s attitudes and behaviors related to alcohol, drug and substance abuse, and increase healthy life skills (Pani, 2010). These forms of treatments and recovery processes should enhance the effectiveness of medications and help patients stay in treatment longer (Hasin, 2007).

References

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