Research indicates that over one in seven Americans aged 12 and above fulfill the criteria for a substance abuse disorder, with young adults being particularly vulnerable. Substance abuse issues could range from binge drinking to opiate addiction or other drug abuse. However, detox is an option for everyone. Irrespective of background, age, gender, race, or religion, anyone can fall prey to a substance use disorder. Addiction is a chronic, progressive disease that can be exacerbated until professional help is sought.
Contacting the admissions team at Altitude Recovery Community can help determine if detox suits you. Broadly, we advise this form of substance abuse treatment for individuals who:
- Have been abusing drugs and/or alcohol for over two weeks
- Exhibit a high degree of physical dependence on a substance
- Are prepared to commit long-term to a path to recovery
- Seek access to an experienced, empathetic medical and psychiatric team to manage withdrawal symptoms safely
For many seeking treatment, detox is the optimal pathway into our comprehensive addiction treatment centers in California. At Altitude Recovery, our focus is on personalized care, enabling individuals to safely and comfortably overcome their physical addiction to drugs and alcohol. Our alcohol detox programs and drug detox programs are designed to assist adults aged 18 years and older dealing with substance abuse issues such as alcohol, opioids, benzodiazepines, and/or other drugs.
Personalized Treatment Plans for Substance Use Withdrawal
Our Southern California detox centers recognize that each substance use disorder necessitates a specialized treatment approach to assist our clients in overcoming their symptoms. Substances vary in their effects on mind and body, necessitating personalized treatment plans as a fundamental part of our recovery model.
Alcohol Detox
Alcohol, a potent depressant of the central nervous system, can have detrimental effects on mental and physical well-being. Alcohol withdrawals can be perilous and often require targeted interventions for a safe recovery journey.
Alcohol chiefly interacts with the neurotransmitter GABA, responsible for calming the nervous system, slowing breathing, inducing relaxation, and mitigating anxiety. The excessive use of alcohol disrupts the brain’s balance, leading to a hyperactive state when alcohol consumption ceases abruptly. This triggers withdrawal symptoms like anxiety, restlessness, sweating, shakes, and, in severe cases, seizures.
Our California-based alcohol detox center addresses these symptoms using a method known as a medical taper. By administering medications that calm the central nervous system, we can substantially alleviate or entirely eliminate withdrawal symptoms. Furthermore, due to vitamin and mineral deficiencies resulting from chronic alcohol use, targeted vitamin supplementation is often required, which our center diligently provides.
Benzodiazepine Detox
Benzodiazepines constitute a broad category of prescription drugs that, akin to alcohol, affect the GABA system. Benzodiazepine withdrawal exhibits numerous parallels with alcohol withdrawal, including comparable symptoms, dangers, and treatment methodologies.
In such cases, a detox professional will typically prescribe an alternative benzodiazepine, and over time, the dosage will be systematically reduced. This gradual approach to detox, known as a medical taper, creates a safer withdrawal process, which can span up to two weeks, depending on the specific benzodiazepine type and quantity used.
Opioid Detox
Opioid withdrawals, although not typically dangerous, are often exceedingly uncomfortable. The severity of the withdrawal symptoms often leads individuals to resume substance use. However, our Southern California opioid detox center offers treatments that significantly mitigate these symptoms, making recovery far more achievable.
Opioids, both prescription and illicit, operate by latching onto opioid receptors in the brain and body, blocking pain signals. However, repeated use leads to dependency and tolerance, rendering users unable to function normally without a significant dose. Abrupt cessation triggers severe withdrawal symptoms, often compared to severe flu. Despite these challenges, there exist evidence-based treatments that can activate the same opioid receptors but to a far lesser extent, thereby effectively alleviating withdrawal symptoms.
Stimulant Detox
Stimulants, including illegal drugs and prescription medications, essentially accelerate the central nervous system. Upon discontinuing these substances, individuals often experience sudden withdrawal symptoms, characterized by extreme fatigue, lack of motivation, depression, and anxiety.
Despite being less visible, these symptoms can be managed with personalized treatments at our detox center in California. Our strategies for stimulant withdrawal encompass supportive medications, comfortable recovery settings, and environment changes, providing a solid foundation for a successful recovery journey.
