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By The Recovery Village Columbus
The Recovery Village aims to improve the quality of life for people struggling with a substance use or mental health disorder with… read more
About our Editorial Team
Editor Melissa Carmona
Melissa Carmona
As the content manager at Advanced Recovery Systems, Melissa Carmona puts years of writing and editing… read more
Medically Reviewed By Kevin Wandler, MD
Kevin Wandler, MD
Kevin Wandler is the chief medical officer at Advanced Recovery Systems. With more than 30 years of experience in addiction medicine,… read more
Updated on 09/16/22
This article will explain what a medical drug detox is, why it’s important, the medications used to manage withdrawal symptoms, and more.
Table of Contents
Do You Need Help?
Talk to one of our Recovery Advocates. They will ensure you get the help you need today.
What is Medical Detox?
Medical detoxification — also known as medical detox — is the fundamental first step in your recovery process. During detox, drugs and alcohol are purged from your system, giving you a fresh foundation upon which to build healthy habits and a better life. Detox may take several days to a week or more. Typically, the process takes between five and ten days, though the length may vary from person to person. While the detoxification process is by no means easy, our medical detox center staff at The Recovery Village Columbus Drug and Alcohol Rehab go to great lengths to make sure every patient is safe, comfortable and cared for from start to finish.
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Medically Detox from Drugs & Alcohol at The Recovery Village Columbus
For most patients, a stay at The Recovery Village begins with medical detox. After a person has used an addictive substance over an extended period of time, their body becomes dependent on its effects. Once they stop using, the withdrawal symptoms they experience may be uncomfortable at best and life-threatening at worst. The severity of these side effects depends on factors like body chemistry and the type and length of drug use.
Detox will likely be a necessary part of your recovery process if you are dependent on one or more of the following substances:
- Prescription opioids (Fentanyl, carfentanil, oxycodone, tramadol, Percocet, Vicodin, OxyContin and Suboxone)
- Heroin
- Alcohol
- Stimulants (Adderall, Ritalin, Vyvanse, Concerta and ecstasy)
- Benzodiazepines (Xanax, Klonopin and Ativan)
- Sleeping medications (Ambien, Halcion and Lunesta)
What to Expect During the Detox Process
Because each patient is unique, The Recovery Village takes great care to ensure that all medical detox treatment plans are carefully customized to meet every individual’s needs. Before the medical detox process begins, a member of our 24-hour nursing staff sits down with each new resident to better understand the complexities of their condition.
This initial evaluation may include some or all of the following components:
- Personalized assessment
- Drug and alcohol screening
- Co-occurring disorders evaluation
- Comprehensive medical assessment
- Psychological assessment
- Risk assessment
- Social assessment
Once this evaluation is complete, patients begin the detoxification process at our inpatient medical detox center. While the average period of medical detox lasts between five and ten days, it’s important to keep in mind that every case is different. For some, medical detox may be longer. For others, shorter. Generally, it is one of the most difficult parts of the recovery process.
“The detox period can be a harrowing time for many individuals. However, this essential part of treatment is the first step towards a better, brighter life.”
As the detox process begins, withdrawal symptoms and drug or alcohol cravings quickly set in. The intensity, length and variety of these side effects may be different for every person depending on the type and amount of substances used, length of addiction, family history, biochemistry and co-occurring conditions. The side effects of withdrawal can range from mild annoyances like headaches, mood swings and irritability, to more severe symptoms like tremors, vomiting and muscle tension.
During the detoxification stage, we work tirelessly to make sure each and every patient is as comfortable as possible. Medical detox at The Recovery Village Columbus Drug and Alcohol Rehab includes:
- Medical care 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
- Withdrawal management medications
- Nutritious, easy-to-digest foods
- Quiet and comfortable resting spaces
- A private recovery environment
- Individual counseling sessions
- Optional massage and hydrotherapy
A completed detox period is one of the first, most important milestones in the recovery process. Once this stage is over, patients gain more freedom and enter either a residential treatment or partial hospitalization program, depending on their required level of care.
Which Medications are Used in Medical Detox?
The most commonly used medications to treat alcohol withdrawal are controlled doses of sedatives like chlordiazepoxide (Librium), diazepam (Valium) or lorazepam (Ativan). These medications are used only under limited, short-term circumstances and are reduced as soon as safely possible, but they can be used alongside other medications that can help address alcohol withdrawal symptoms. More mild cases of alcohol withdrawal may involve only supportive medications (such as ibuprofen for headache, or use of a safe sleep aid) and medical monitoring.
Why Medical Detox?
At The Recovery Village Columbus Drug and Alcohol Rehab, we understand just how difficult the detox process can be. While some individuals are able to detox successfully without professional assistance, the mental and emotional symptoms of withdrawal are often too difficult to bare alone. In some cases, the physical side effects of detoxification can even be life-threatening, making medical care an essential part of successful detoxification. If you or someone you love is experiencing dangerous detox symptoms, contact us.
You shouldn’t have to go through the detox process alone; that’s why we provide our patients with access to comprehensive, medically supervised care. At our comfortable facility, you focus on your recovery and we take care of the rest.
Inpatient medical detox at our facility can provide you with:
- Distance from people or places that could trigger relapse
- Around-the-clock support from medical professionals and counselors
- A structured program to keep you focused on recovery
- Access to detox medications that reduce the negative effects of withdrawal
Your Recovery Is Possible with Medical Detox
The detoxification process may be a daunting roadblock that stands between you and recovery. Fortunately, this obstacle is much easier to overcome in a safe and comfortable environment with the help of experienced medical professionals.
What Our Patients Have to Say
Marsie Michael
17:54 07 Sep 22
Excellent, supportive, and super fun staff!
Derek Coakley
15:57 24 Aug 22
The food was great and the counselors really gave us the tools to succeed. The medical team was helpful and listen to my concerns. The medical team really likes putting people on suboxone maintenance when you leave. They made my detox tolerable. The air conditioning was broken the first half of my stay, but was eventually fixed. Special thanks to Mel and Jazzmyne
Justin Kornicki
00:56 24 Jul 22
I have had two residential stays at The Recovery Village. I must say that it is by far one of the facilities in central Ohio. I would like to commend the clinicians and medical staff for their insightful and caring approach to recovery. The facility could use some work, especially the HVAC system, however the accommodations are comfortable and spacious. The food is ok, however the menu could use some more healthy options, including more greens and dietary attentive options for patients. The BHT staff is friendly and helpful. I would recommend this facility for those who are seeking treatment for the first time as well as for those who may have relapsed and need a place to refresh and learn some new techniques about recovery. The front of house staff, such as the financial department and case management team can sometimes run behind schedule, however that is understandable. Thank you RVC for your guidance and help with my recovery journey!
Eric Glenn
15:31 07 Jun 22
Completed the 3 days a week IOP program from home. Great program where you meet different people who are similar to you; all trying to overcome their addiction, whatever it might be. I've grown from the program and highly recommend to anyone considering seeking help for whatever it might be that they struggle with. You will learn a lot about yourself and different coping methods that will help you out with life not just your addiction.
Chris Davis
20:33 24 May 22
Really enjoyed the counseling and having other people there to hear their journey. The nurses were awesome!
Larry Evans
15:21 19 Apr 22
GUYS LISTEN!! I am speaking from experience if you are going to have a hard and complicated withdrawal THIS IS YOUR PLACE!! What's a dollar amount on your sobriety? I can't speak on the financial part my insurance did good I did have a little outa pocket to pay ... but I was kept as comfortable as you possibly could be given the situation with well planned tapers. I am also comparing them to other treatment centers I have attended ALL staff is understanding and their to help... you will be on a first name baises with the with in your first few days ...GREAT PLACE to go people
- “What Is Substance Abuse Treatment? A Booklet For Families.” SAMHSA, Revised 2014. Accessed May 5, 2021.
- “Clinical Guidelines for Withdrawal Management and Treatment of Drug Dependence in Closed Settings.” Geneva: World Health Organization, 2009. Accessed May 5, 2021.
- “Treatment Options: What happens next?” SAMHSA, Revised October 2019. Accessed May 10, 2021.
The Recovery Village aims to improve the quality of life for people struggling with a substance use or mental health disorder with fact-based content about the nature of behavioral health conditions, treatment options and their related outcomes. We publish material that is researched, cited, edited and reviewed by licensed medical professionals. The information we provide is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider.