What is the Difference Between Detox and Rehab?

There are an estimated 22 million people in the U.S. that struggle with drug and alcohol addiction, according to the Center for Disease Control. Of that number, less tha
3 million will seek detox and rehab treatment for their substance abuse.

Do I need one or both?

Making the decision to seek assistance for your drug or alcohol abuse is an important decision but you may want to know what the difference between detox and rehab is and which one you need. It can be confusing to individuals who are not quite sure if they need one or both.
Whether or not you need detox for alcohol and drugs will depend on how long you have used drugs and alcohol, the type of drugs that you have used, the frequency of your substance abuse and how excessive your substance abuse has been. It should be said that consulting a doctor about detox is always a good idea.

The Purpose of Detox

A drug and alcohol detox center is where you go to have the toxic chemicals removed from your system that have accumulated from your drug and alcohol use. As you go through the detoxification process, your body will experience withdrawal symptoms. Withdrawal symptoms usually begin within a few hours after you stop using drugs and alcohol, depending on your previous abuse.

Non-medical or Medical, which is best?

When you consider the right method for detox for you it is important to know that there are residential and non residential detox, as well as medical and non medical available. Non-medical detox may include a more holistic approach and may incorporate the use of vitamin therapy, acupuncture, meditation therapy and yoga. One of the major drawbacks of non-medical detox is that the patient’s withdrawal symptoms are not controlled and the patient may leave the program before the process is complete.

Medical detox requires the use of medication to help the individual through the withdrawal process. IV therapy medical detox is seen as the best method for medical detoxification because it uses intravenous therapy which allows the medication to be changed as your withdrawal symptoms change, allowing for an immediate response. Whichever method for detox you choose, your best chance for a successful detox is entering a program that will keep you comfortable.

The Next Step

After successfully completing detox, it may be important for you to enroll in a program that will help you make the appropriate changes to your lifestyle to ensure your continued success. Most people enroll in a traditional program such as a 12 step program which identifies that drug and alcohol addiction are diseases and that while there is no cure, 12 step philosophy works to achieve abstinence. In sharp contrast, others in recovery find that participating in a program that uses cognitive behavioral education can help them make changes in habits, behavior and in their choices to build a life that helps them achieve success in sobriety.