Drug Detox Centers in Gaithersburg, MD
Drug detox centers in Gaithersburg are usually the first treatment option a person will utilize when they wish to get sober. The detoxification process is when a person stops using drugs altogether or will taper the dosages of the drugs they take.
Because a person who is addicted to drugs has been using drugs for some time, they will experience changes in their brain that will cause withdrawal symptoms when a person no longer takes drugs.
Drug detox centers offer programs to help a person withdraw from the substance or substances they abuse without experiencing the sometimes-severe symptoms that can occur as a result of drug detox in Gaithersburg.
Drug detox programs are also known as medical detoxification. The process starts when a person will meet with an intake coordinator. Here, they will discuss their history of drug and/or alcohol abuse as well as any personal medical history.
Honesty is the best policy -- the more a drug detox treatment program's professionals know about a person's drug abuse history, the better the medical detox recommendations they can make.
Withdrawal Symptoms Associated With Drug Detox
Because the body is accustomed to the presence of certain drugs and/or alcohol in the body, they will experience withdrawal symptoms. With those withdrawal symptoms depend upon several factors.
One of the most significant is the drug type abused. However, other factors such as the length of drug abuse history, how much drug a person takes, and other medical conditions, can all impact the symptoms a person may experience at drug detox centers in Gaithersburg.
Examples of common withdrawal symptoms associated with the drug detox process include:
- Alcohol Withdrawals
Alcohol withdrawals can be some of the most severe symptoms a person can experience from a drug detox perspective. Examples of symptoms associated with alcohol withdrawals include sweating, shaking, and anxiety.
A person can also experience life-threatening symptoms, such as seizures, hallucinations, high body temperatures, and rapid heart rates.
- Heroin and Prescription Opiate Withdrawals
Although heroin and prescription opiate withdrawals are rarely deadly, they can cause severe symptoms that make it difficult for a person to navigate the drug detox process.
Examples of these symptoms include stomach pain, sweating, nervousness, shaking, and strong cravings for the substance.
- Methamphetamine and Cocaine Withdrawals
Stimulants like methamphetamine and cocaine can result in withdrawals that are usually different from the symptoms of abuse.
Cocaine withdrawal symptoms can cause agitation, fatigue, increased appetite, unpleasant dreams, and slowed thinking. In some instances, a person can experience strong feelings of depression, such as suicidal thoughts.
While there are some symptoms associated with withdrawal that experts in drug detox centers in Gaithersburg can anticipate, it's possible that a person can experience unique symptoms.
This is why it is important that a person seek professional medical treatment so medical professionals can quickly prescribe medications and treatments if needed to reduce the incidence of drug withdrawals.
Why Should People Enter Drug Detox Centers?
While it sounds like common sense, a person must stop abusing drugs and alcohol as a means to be sober. The withdrawals and strong cravings a person experiences can make detoxing at home difficult, if not impossible.
At drug detox centers in Gaithersburg, a person can receive medical treatments whenever possible to reduce withdrawal symptoms and overcome drug cravings. For example, a person addicted to opiates may benefit from methadone or Suboxone therapy.
These medications can block the opiate receptors without causing the euphoric high that using opiates will typically result in. As a result, a person can stop using opiates illegally and use these medications to taper off their dosages of a particular drug.
Other treatments at drug detox programs involve reducing the effects of symptoms. Examples can include administering medications to promote sleep, reduce the likelihood that seizures will occur, and reduce nausea.
While drug detox does not take away all the symptoms associated with drug detox, they do help to reduce a person's health risks as well as minimize symptoms whenever possible. This allows a person to move forward and focus on their long-term sobriety.
Drug detox is the first stage of addiction treatment in Gaithersburg. According to the National Institute of Drug Abuse, the treatment is not the only one a person should receive in order to reduce long-term drug use.
After going to drug detox in Gaithersburg, a person should continue their sobriety by utilizing relapse prevention programs, counseling, and other holistic approaches that can help a person achieve long-term sobriety. Call Gaithersburg Drug and Alcohol Rehab Centers now for help (877) 804-1531.