Drug Detox
The goal of drug detox is to rid the body of toxins accumulated by drug use. The first step of drug detox is drug withdrawal. The definition of withdrawal is "Discontinuation of the use of an addictive substance, and the physiological and mental readjustment that accompanies such discontinuation." Once an individual has discontinued using drugs, physical and behavioral withdrawal symptoms may follow.
The nature and severity of the withdrawal symptoms vary greatly depending on the particular drug or drugs that were being used as well as the frequency of use. These days there are few people who use one drug exclusively. It is very common to see individuals in drug detox that use alcohol and cocaine, or alcohol and prescription medications for example. Drug detox is a process that applies to any individual who is addicted to drugs. Detoxification helps diminish the uncomfortable symptoms of drug withdrawal.
Drug detox is performed in many different ways depending on where you decide to receive treatment. Most drug detox centers simply provide treatment to avoid physical withdrawal to alcohol & other drugs. Ideally, a trained detox facility will incorporate counseling and therapy during detox to help with the psychological distress that the individual may experience as well.
Detoxification should cover all aspects of the individual's withdrawal and purification from drugs. The removal of drug residuals is a key goal in drug detox. Without this process, drug residues can remain in ones body and cause cravings for years after drug use has ceased. A vital step in a successful drug detox as well as drug rehabilitation is flushing out these accumulated toxic residues so that the individual no longer experiences unwanted adverse effects from the drugs they have taken.
- In the 1970's Ecstasy was actually given to psychotherapy patients, but in 1986 this practiced was stopped when animal studies showed that Ecstasy use caused brain damage.
- Individuals who use PCP generally report an out-of-body experience where they feel detached from reality, or ones consciousness is disconnected from reality.
- Over one million adolescents each year are confirmed as victims of child abuse and neglect by state child protective service agencies. State welfare records indicate that alcohol and drug abuse is one of the top two problems exhibited by families in 81% of the reported cases.
- Methamphetamine use is associated with increased numbers of HIV infections in some populations.