Detox in Atlanta, GA
Drug & Alcohol Detox
When someone thinks about going to detox, it can feel intimidating. They don’t know what to expect and how they will be treated. Valor Behavioral Health helps people find a compassionate detoxification program that will help them get back on their feet again.
Contact us today to begin therapy and find your path to recovery.
We partner with highly effective programs for detox in Atlanta, GA. They help people through the challenging first days of getting off drugs and alcohol and prepare them to enter our outpatient programs. At our outpatient programs, we teach people to become sober and hit the reset button on their lives.
If you or a loved one need help with behavioral health concerns like addiction, visit our admissions page or text us at 678-679-4077 today. Learn more about our addiction treatment in Atlanta, GA.
What is Drug and Alcohol Detox?
When a person becomes addicted to drugs or alcohol, they need to seek professional treatment. The first step is attending a detoxification program, also known as detox. Detox provides the all-important support a person needs during the crucial first days of not using substances.
When clients stop using drugs or alcohol, they go through withdrawal. This is because they have a physical dependence on substances. In other words, they need drugs or alcohol in order to feel normal.
So, when clients quit abusing substances, they go withdrawal as their body and mind adjusts to no longer having drugs or alcohol. Withdrawal causes distressing—and sometimes dangerous—symptoms.
It’s important to note that withdrawal can occur even taking certain medications as prescribed. For instance, benzodiazepines (benzos) significantly alter the way the person’s brain functions to reduce their symptoms. If they stop using benzos suddenly or without medical supervision, they will experience withdrawal.
What Are Withdrawal Symptoms?
Withdrawal symptoms are physical, mental, and emotional symptoms that occur when clients stop using drugs or alcohol. Specific symptoms, severity, and duration of withdrawal depend on the substance of abuse, length of addiction, co-occurring conditions, and the severity of addiction.
Common withdrawal symptoms include the following:
- Headaches and body aches
- Nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting
- Sleep disturbances
- Profuse sweating
- Mental fog
- Depression and anxiety
- Appetite changes
- Mood swings and irritability
- Drug and alcohol cravings
Severe withdrawal symptoms, called delirium tremens, include the following:
- Severe confusion
- Psychosis
- Seizures
- Agitation
- Body Tremors
Detox typically includes both medical and emotional support, which includes prescription medications to help ease withdrawal symptoms. After completing detox, the person should enroll in a residential or outpatient program to continue on their path to recovery.
Drug and Alcohol Detox in Atlanta, Georgia
When someone goes to drug and alcohol detox in Atlanta, GA, they will be treated with the respect and compassion they deserve. The treatment team understands how difficult the first days in recovery can be and helps the individual feel as comfortable as possible.
Medications will be provided to quell some of the withdrawal symptoms that happen, and emotional support is provided by attending therapy sessions. Going to detox prepares the person to begin follow-up treatment that helps them build on what they learned in detox.
Substances That Require Detox
People can become addicted to any number of substances, both legal and illegal.
Detox programs treat a multitude of substance use disorders that include:
How Do I Find A Detox Near Me?
Someone in need of detox in Atlanta, GA, has a couple of options to meet their needs. First, they can do a search for substance use disorder treatment programs in their area. If they find one they like or that is recommended by their insurance company, they can directly contact the facility to determine if their programs are right for their needs.
How Long Does Detox Last?
Detox and withdrawal timelines can vary from person to person. How long detox in Atlanta, GA, lasts depends on a few factors, such as substance of abuse, dosage and frequency of use, and severity.
The following factors influence the duration of detox:
Type of Substance
Some substances stay in the person’s system longer than others. Therefore, the type of substance matters when considering how long detox will take.
For example:
- Stimulant drugs generally affect the person for short periods of time. Therefore, acute withdrawal symptoms may last only a few days.
- Prescription benzos, such as lorazepam, clonazepam, and diazepam, have a high risk of misuse and dependency. It may take several weeks to go through withdrawal. This is why medical professionals taper clients off of benzos gradually.
- Long-acting opioids, like methadone, can lead to withdrawal symptoms that last about 10-14 days.
- Alcohol withdrawal can be intense and, in severe cases, dangerous. However, acute alcohol withdrawal generally lasts about 7-10 days.
Dosage and Frequency of Use
Substance abuse habits are different for everyone. Some people use drugs or alcohol all throughout the day, while others are “weekend warriors,” who binge at the end of the workweek. In addition, some people take multiple drugs at one time or use them in higher amounts.
Withdrawal symptoms and detox will take longer if the person is a heavy user versus light or moderate use.
Duration of Addiction
The longer the person has used drugs or alcohol, the greater the dependency on substances will be. Long-term substance abuse for several months or years usually results in greater dependency. For those who have abused drugs or alcohol since adolescence, their bodies may struggle significantly to function without them.
Therefore, the longer the person has had an addiction, the longer they can expect to go through withdrawal and detox.
Co-Occurring Conditions + Overall Health
If the person has a co-occurring medical condition or mental health disorder, detox may take longer. Co-occurring conditions can influence the person’s dependency on substance abuse.
Co-occurring mental health disorders, or dual-diagnosis disorders, are common among those in detox programs. This is because the person may have abused drugs or alcohol to cope with their mental health symptoms. As a result of quitting, these symptoms can resurface and complicate withdrawal.
In addition, a person’s overall health can impact the length of detox. If a client is in poor health or has a medical condition, they can expect to be in detox longer. Physical withdrawal symptoms may affect them more severely during detox.
What Will I Experience During Detox in Atlanta?
When someone checks into detox, they will be assessed to determine the details of their addiction and troubleshoot likely withdrawal symptoms they may experience. A plan for which therapies and prescription medications offer the best options to help support the person is created and includes both medical and emotional help. Before completing detox, a plan will be put into place for their next step in continuing their recovery journey.
How Can I Support My Loved One Who Needs Detox?
One of the most frightening things a person can go through is watching their loved one succumb to a life of drug or alcohol abuse. They often don’t know what to say or do and fear they will antagonize the person if they confront them.
Suggestions for helping a loved one with an addiction include:
- Let them know you understand they are struggling.
- Offer to listen to them talk about what triggers their substance abuse.
- Tell them they have a legitimate illness that responds to professional treatment.
- Offer to help them find a detox program near them.
- Provide support while they are gone, including pet sitting, house sitting, and other errands.
Programs After Detox
After a person completes detox, they move to another level of care to help them stay sober. Outpatient programs allow a person to live in their homes and travel to our facility for their treatment sessions.
The programs after detox we offer include:
- Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP): Our highest level of care provides people with many of the same multi-disciplinary therapies that take place in detox. Treatment appointments run for six hours per day over five days a week.
- Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP): Our mid-level of treatment uses the same therapies as PHP but requires attending fewer sessions a week. Appointments run for a few hours per day on several days each week.
- Evening IOP: The same as our regular IOP plan, but the appointments take place in the evening. People with busy schedules during the day often benefit from attending our Evening IOP.
- Outpatient Program (OP): The final step in treatment for addiction only requires attending one or two therapy appointments per week.
Get Help Now
If you or a loved one is struggling with mental health issues or dual diagnosis disorders and seeking a balanced approach to recovery, our Partial Hospitalization Program in Atlanta may be the right choice.
Begin Detox in Atlanta, GA
Are you looking for a world-class detox in Atlanta, GA, but don’t know how to find out your options? Valor Behavioral Health works with trusted partners who offer detox to help people get the managed care they need. This prepares them to enter our treatment program and continue the lessons they began in detox. Our outpatient programs include intensive therapy sessions that help people disarm their triggers and make healthier choices.
Contact us today to find out more about your detox options. Our admissions staff can work with you to determine the right program for your needs.
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