Addiction is a powerful disease that affects millions of people each year. A recent National Survey on Drug Use and Health indicates that nearly 49 million people had a substance abuse disorder, including nearly 30 million people with an alcohol use disorder, 27.2 million people with a drug use disorder, and 8 million people struggling with both simultaneously. Some substances even require the expertise of medical detox centers in Arizona to safely guide someone through withdrawal symptoms.
What the numbers don’t illustrate is how addiction is a cyclical condition that works to actively disrupt the brain’s reward pathways. Substances flood it with dopamine for a sense of euphoria. But as the brain adapts, it demands more of the drug to achieve the same effect, leaving you chasing a fleeting, often elusive, sense of relief.
Likewise, trying to quit cold turkey can lead to severe withdrawal symptoms. The body’s way of protesting the absence of a drug it has come to depend on, they can be insurmountable to manage on one’s own, and the fear of facing these symptoms alone keeps one trapped in this cycle of use.
Detox bridges this gap that addiction creates. But what does it involve? If drugs or alcohol have begun to consume you and you’ve tried unsuccessfully to stop, taking the leap into rehab is a brave and bold step — but also one into a place of uncertainty.
How can a medical detox center in Arizona help with drug withdrawal and initiate your journey to recovery? Keep reading to learn more.
What Is Medical Detox?
Detoxification, or detox, is the process of safely eliminating drugs and alcohol from your system until no trace of the substance is left while managing the often painful and potentially dangerous withdrawal symptoms, both physical and psychological.
Detox is the very first step of the rehab process and lays the groundwork for a proper addiction treatment program. It’s only then that you can pursue formal therapy with a truly clean slate, with a clear mind, and with clarity and acuity to reap the benefits of inpatient and outpatient treatment.
Why is it called “medical” detox? Unlike attempting to detox at home, a detox center in Arizona (like ours in Prescott) helps guide you through the stages of detox under close medical supervision.
There, you’ll be helped 24/7 by trained professionals, including doctors, nurses, and support staff. Addiction specialists who know how to anticipate, manage and mitigate the exact drug withdrawal or alcohol symptoms you may experience, they are experts whose job is to provide you with compassionate care, safety, comfort and pain management throughout the entire process.
Why Is Medical Detox Necessary for Recovery?
Some drugs, like alcohol, cocaine, methamphetamines, benzodiazepines,s and opioids, carry very serious, even life-threatening, withdrawal symptoms. Without the right supervision and guidance, these can lead to complications we might not expect when the body has become so dependent on an addictive substance.
Trying solo cessation from drugs or alcohol without proper detox from a medical detox facility in Arizona raises your risk of relapse and using again just to stave off withdrawal symptoms. This leads a person nowhere in their journey, deepening their addiction worse than before.
This is ultimately the case for medical detox — by addressing and treating addiction by taking the right steps, from detox, therapy, and beyond, you can finally officially break free and move from dependence to independence.
What Can Medical Detox in Arizona Help With?
A medical detox center like Royal Life Centers’ Prescott facility can treat no fewer than nine separate drug and substance dependencies. That means two things are tailored and personalized in the initial detox phase: the addiction being treated and your own individual needs.
Here’s a glimpse at the detox and withdrawal trajectories for some more common substance use disorders:
Alcohol Detox and Withdrawal in Arizona
One in 10 Americans suffer from alcohol use disorder. Alcohol withdrawal can be marked by a host of symptoms beyond the next-day hangover common to binge or heavy drinking. Symptoms, including headaches, excessive sweating, nausea, anxiety or irritability, heart palpitations, increased blood pressure, and even seizures or hallucinations, can begin from six to 24 hours after stopping drinking.
Alcohol Detox Arizona aims to minimize and assuage these symptoms through medical supervision, guided assistance, and medications, if necessary, to help stabilize you until symptoms subside.
Opioid Detox and Withdrawal in Arizona
Opioids like morphine, heroin,n or prescription painkillers are highly addictive and carry very real dangers — in fact, statistics show that 14,000 people die annually from heroin overdose and that 2 million, or 12%, of prescription drug abusers,s are addicted.
Withdrawing from opioids can range from agitation, anxiety, and muscle aches to nausea, vomiting, and intense cravings. An opioid detox Arizona program in a trusted facility with the right staff and equipment focuses on managing these symptoms.
Crystal Meth Detox and Withdrawal in Arizona
Methamphetamines are highly powerful, very addictive stimulant drugs. And crystal meth is a common form of the drug that resembles glass or crystals, crushed down and smoked or snorted.
The signs of meth addiction are seven, as are the withdrawal symptoms, even in people who don’t have stimulant use disorder. Peaking after two to three days from stopping usage can include depression, anxiety, irritability, pain and discomfort, sleep problems, cravings, and trouble concentrating, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. However, a well-planned crystal meth detox program in Arizona— as part of a comprehensive, thoughtful rehab plan — is meant to ease you through these symptoms, closing one chapter in your recovery story.
Benzodiazepine Detox and Withdrawal in Arizona
“Benzos,” as they’re called for short, is a type of prescription depressant used effectively to treat anxiety and sleeping disorders. But benzos like Xanax, Klonopin, or Valium are quickly addictive when taken in even slightly higher dosages than prescribed. The National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics (NCDAS) indicates that 4.8 million people abuse benzos annually — 29.4% of all prescription drug abusers.
Over the course of immediate, acute, and protracted periods, stopping benzodiazepines abruptly can lead to significant withdrawal symptoms, from insomnia to depression, mood swings to anxiety attacks, and even grand mal seizures or delusions and hallucinations, illustrating how strong of a grip it can have on one’s brain and body. Medical detox facility Arizona provides a gradual tapering approach to safely wean you off benzos.
Prescription Drug Detox and Withdrawal in Arizona
Painkillers, sedatives, and stimulants are not all illicit drugs; sometimes, they are medically prescribed to effectively and safely treat certain ailments, like chronic pain or recovery after surgery. However, when used improperly or taken in larger doses than instructed, dependency can quickly form. In fact, 16 million people abuse prescription drugs each year, notes the NCDAS.
Prescription drug detox in Arizona is designed to address withdrawal after ceasing use of a drug. According to the Mayo Clinic, this is aided by medication-assisted treatment to offset symptoms that develop from tapering off prescription substances.
How Does a Medical Detox Center Help the Process?
Detox is more than just weaning off a drug; it is a place to begin facilitating healing. And our medical detox center in Arizona at Prescott is the space to start the process. Here’s what you’ll find each step of the way:
Expert and Experienced Staff
The cornerstone, the backbone, of any successful rehab in Arizona is its staff. Here, guests beginning the phases of detox can benefit from licensed, trained, clinically experienced doctors, nurses, mental health specialists, case managers, and ancillary staff — each one with a committed goal to see you to sobriety from the moment you walk into the door to the time you exit treatment.
Here’s a snapshot of the role they play in detox: doctors oversee the administration of medications to manage symptoms, while nurses provide round-the-clock monitoring. Your case manager works directly with you to craft a tailored therapy plan, which your therapist will utilize to work hand-in-hand with you following detox.
Individualized Treatment Plans
As each person is an individual and may struggle with addiction in their own unique ways, detox should never follow a cookie-cutter approach.
At a detox center in Arizona, your treatment plan never follows a template or carbon copy of another person’s program — rather, your plan is tailored and individualized, taking into account your substance of choice, length of use, physical health, mental health history, any co-occurring disorders and other factors that might influence the nature of care you need. No less than an individualized approach makes sure that your treatment, from start to finish, is targeted, effective, and compassionate.
Medication-Assisted Treatment
As mentioned before, medication-assisted treatment, or MAT, is designed for withdrawal symptomsfromr certain drugs. “Research shows that medication-based treatments are the most effective treatment,” states Yale Medicine addiction specialist Dr. David Fiellin, citing opioid detox Arizona as one example. “Opioid use disorder is a medical condition just like depression, diabetes or hypertension, and as with those conditions, it is most effectively treated with a combination of medication and counseling.”
For opioid detox, medications like buprenorphine or methadone can alleviate physical discomfort while reducing cravings. For alcohol detox Arizona, naltrexone or acamprosate may be prescribed to ease withdrawal symptoms and help prevent relapse.
Evidence-based and Holistic Therapies
If medical detox is designed to prime you for treatment, how do you address the root causes of addiction following detox? At Royal Life Centers, we incorporate a blend of evidence-based therapies — such as individual cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and group-setting therapy — and holistic therapies like yoga, mindfulness meditation, breathwork, and art and music therapy.
In tandem or on their own, they harness the immense value in identifying the reasons behind your addiction and how to counteract them with better-coping strategies, healthier thought patterns, and more positive behaviors by connecting your mind and body. These changes are meant to be transformative and transcend addiction — assets in your personal arsenal to take with you back into the world when treatment is completed.
How Do I Choose an Arizona Detox Center?
Selecting a detox center in Arizona may seem like a daunting challenge at first, which is why making an informed decision is so important for you and your recovery. Treatment centers with the right ingredients set the tone for the entire process (and beyond), so here are some things to look for.
Accreditations
Accreditations are a key indicator of a facility’s quality. Royal Life Centers’ Prescott Center is proud to be accredited by organizations like the Joint Commission, LegitScript, Psychology Today, and the American Society of Addiction Medicine. What do these badges mean? Being accredited means we adhere to rigorous standards for safety, ethics, and patient care, but most of all, we’re committed to providing evidence-based, high-quality treatment.
Specialized Programs for Unique Demographics
A medical detox center in Arizona is proud to offer specialized programs for veterans, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and those who need specialized care. In Prescott, for example, culturally grounded practices, such as tribal healing methods, are shaped to better serve Native Americans in recovery, who form such an indelible part of the local demographic. And gender-specific programs provide a more comfortable and focused environment for individuals who may feel safer or more understood in same-gender groups.
Insurance Options
The cost of detox can often be a barrier for many people seeking treatment, leaving them wondering if addiction treatment is covered by insurance. Our admissions team can work with prospective guests to verify your insurance coverage and provide complete, transparent pricing information. If you’re wondering how to verify your insurance for drug detox and rehab, we can help to get you the help you need — affordably.
Common Questions About Detox in Arizona
How Long is Medical Detox in Arizona?
The length of time in a medical detox facility in Arizona depends on a few factors, like the type of substance you’re in treatment for, the severity and length of your addiction, and your physical and mental health. In general, expect your detox experience to last about one to two weeks, but bear in mind that some drugs with more potentially protracted withdrawal periods, like benzos, may require a more extended tapering period.
Is Withdrawal from Drugs and Alcohol Dangerous?
On your own, withdrawal from drugs and alcohol can be dangerous, especially for alcohol, benzos, cocaine, and opioids. The only way to guarantee and ensure a safe detox for substance use disorder is through a reputable, trust,d and licensed detox center in Arizona. Without proper supervision, some of the more concerning and severe withdrawal symptoms can lead to complications or eventual relapse. Invest yourself in the knowledge that the staff at a center like Royal Life in Prescott can take you from one end of withdrawal safely through the other end of detox on your recovery journey.
What Happens After Detox?
Detox is just the first inaugural step in recovery. After you’ve cleared your system of an addictive substance, withdrawal symptoms have subsided, and you’re medically cleared, you’ll transition into a rehab program.
At treatment centers, this can take a few forms: an inpatient rehab, where you can live comfortably on-site for a time at our facility and devote 24/7 focus to your recovery, and an outpatient option, allowing you to attend therapy during the day and return home at night. Afterward, there are aftercare options that also include opportunities to stay at a sober living house for a time.
Each option has one thing in common — the chance to address and heal the psychological and behavioral aspects of addiction and transform your life.
The Importance of Finding a Reliable Detox Center in Arizona
It goes without saying that finding the right fit for detox programs — regardless of the addiction — is the second most important part of getting sober.
The most important part? Your willingness to make a change in your life. When you can make this commitment, our promise is that we’ll be at your side to make this a reality. Our mission is “Because We Care,” three words that speak to our dedication to providing an unparalleled and transformative treatment experience.
Today, know that you can turn your life around — and that you can change your life with one phone call. If you have further questions about detox and the rehab process, please don’t hesitate to call us today and explore what treatment can do for you, your health, your loved ones, and your life.
REFERENCES:
- HHS, SAMHSA Release 2022 National Survey on Drug Use and Health Data | SAMHSA
- Alcohol Withdrawal: Symptoms, Treatment & Timeline
- How an Addicted Brain Works > News > Yale Medicine
- Prescription Drug Abuse Statistics – NCDAS
- Alcohol Abuse Statistics [2023]: National + State Data – NCDAS
- Prescription drug abuse – Diagnosis and treatment – Mayo Clinic
- Methamphetamine | National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
- Prescription Drug Abuse Statistics – NCDAS
- Benzo withdrawal: Timeline and symptoms
