Palm Desert Recovery Center

Medically Supervised Detox

Medically Supervised Detox require a full assessment. Proper assessment is imperative to determine what is required for each individual for drug and/or alcohol detox. There are certain medications as well as detoxing from certain levels of alcohol that can be fatal. Some addicts and alcoholics have tried to detox on their own, but find the detox symptoms overwhelming, sometimes painful, perhaps have had seizures and KNOW they need medically supervised drug and alcohol detox.

Detox Admission Intake

An intake assessment can determine if detox is needed, how long detox will be, and how detox will be managed. The identified client can find trust and can be more willing to get help if they know the pain and health risks are managed. In addition, the risk of relapse can be reduced with the appropriate care.

Medically supervised detox provides the client medication that reduces anxiety, muscle cramping, risk of seizure, and other related symptom reduction or elimination. The phrase “kicking drugs” comes from the painful process of detox without the support of medication. Many people would rather continue use than “kick drugs or alcohol.” Medically supervised detoxification can help.

How does Medically Supervised Detox work?

After an assessment, the client is admitted into a detox program. Further evaluations are completed for medical compromises and nutrition deficiencies. The medical staff, which may include nurses, a nurse practitioner and/or physician will create a treatment plan to treat, manage, reduce or eliminate your withdrawal symptoms and drug cravings.

Depending on the type of substance use, length of drug use and frequency impacts health risks and detox symptoms. Addiction to alcohol or benzodiazepines can be life-threatening. Medically supervised detox is also highly recommended for opiate abuse.

A licensed physician can prescribe medications such as methadone, Suboxone and buprenorphine to minimize drug cravings and withdrawal symptoms for a short period of time to reduce or eliminate detox symptoms. Other medications, often non-addictive medication, can be used to treat, anxiety, dehydration, and pain.

Is Medically Supervised Detox Enough?

Medically Supervised Detox is just the beginning of the recovery process. It is true that some people leave treatment after they complete Medically Supervised Detox. However, they are at a high relapse risk rate as the reason they have been using drugs or alcohol in the first place has not been addressed. Most people who want sobriety follow Medically Supervised Detox with residential drug and alcohol treatment.

For a no cost assessment please call 760.550.0613

Opiate Addiction Signs & Symptoms

Opioids drugs are commonly thought of as heroin. However, the opiate crisis that is occurring today in the United States encompasses much more. In fact, it generally doesn’t begin with heroin, but can end up with heroin use.

Many teens and young adults report beginning their opiate use with opiate prescriptions out of household medicine cabinets. Adults report being prescribed opiate medications for an injury or pain, such as

Opioids medications like OxyContin, Vicodin, fentanyl, morphine and the like. For both, the adult and teen/young adult dependency can develop but access to ongoing prescriptions becomes impossible and detox symptoms begin and are painful.

At the point the search for relief begins and the possibility of heroin use is likely. It is cheaper and easier to access.

What are Opiate drugs?

Opiates or Opioids are compounds found in opium poppies. Opioids include prescription painkillers like oxycodone (OxyContin®), hydrocodone (Vicodin®), morphine, codeine, fentanyl, and others and Heroin, which is illegal.

Heroin can be inhaled, injected, or smoked, while most pain killers are taken as a pill, however when abused can also be inhaled, injected or smoked.

Tolerance is built quickly requiring the user to take higher doses and dependence is established rapidly and there is high risk of overdoes.