Common Questions about Alcohol and Drug Detox

It is natural to have questions about alcohol and drug detox, especially when you are considering stepping away from your life to get help for a substance abuse problem. Making the decision to get detox help can be a difficult one, but hopefully these answers will give you some peace of mind.

What is alcohol and drug detoxification?

Detoxification is the process of eliminating the chemical toxins from your system that have collected as a result of your alcohol and drug abuse.

How long does alcohol and drug detox last?

The amount of time that you will spend in detox will depend on the substance abuse, but it can last from a few days to a few weeks. Drug detox is not necessary for everyone; it depends on the drugs used, how long you have been using, and the frequency of use and how much of the drug you have been using.

Will detox hurt?

Once you quit your substance abuse, you body will go through withdrawal symptoms because it wants what you are not giving it. Withdrawal symptoms can be painful depending on the severity.

Alcohol withdrawal symptoms may include physical and psychological symptoms such as:
• Headache
• Nausea and vomiting
• Insomnia
• Anxiety and irritability
• Depression
• DTs – periods of confusion and hallucinations

Drug withdrawal symptoms may include:
• Chills
• Nausea and vomiting
• Sweating
• Insomnia
• Anxiety and irritability
• Seizures

How do detox programs differ?

Detox treatments are available in outpatient and inpatient, as well as medical and non medical. Outpatient detox is a self reporting method and can be non medical, in which a natural approach such as acupuncture, meditation, yoga and vitamin therapy are used; whereas medical outpatient detox prescribes medication such as Methadone, Suboxone or Subutex to detox.

Inpatient medical detox requires you to check into a center such as a hospital detox or a private detox center. Between the two, most patients discover that a private detox facility offers private patient rooms, a higher quality of individual care and better accommodations.

How are medical detox methods different?

Most traditional hospital detox units, use oral medications that have been shown to be not very effective at relieving the withdrawal symptoms in some of their patients.

IV therapy medical detox is administered intravenously which allows the doctor to make any necessary changes to the medication protocol as the patient’s withdrawal symptoms change to allow them then remain comfortable, which leads to a successful detox.

Is insurance accepted in detox?

Most insurance plans have a stipulation that includes a set number of days or a set dollar amount that the insurance company will pay for detox. There may be a deductible, co-pay or a percentage amount that the individual will be responsible for, but most detox centers accept insurance and some take Medicaid. You should check with the insurance company and with the detox facility to be sure.

How much does detox cost?

The cost of detox will vary with the type of detox program you choose. Outpatient detox costs less than inpatient and inpatient hospital detox may cost less than private detox. Most facilities offer discounts, scholarships or a sliding fee scale based on financial need, but it depends on the detox facility. Most detox facilities work with a finance company.

Consider this when you are looking at detox facilities and cost: if you need detox to get better so that you can be a better parent, employee, student, family member or friend – if you need detox so that you can take back control of your life from alcohol and drugs – don’t you think your life and your future are worth the investment?

Will I need an after detox program?

It is not uncommon for individuals to need help rebuilding their life after detox. There are a number of programs from 12 step programs to non 12 step programs that can help you continue your sobriety as you reenter your life.