When discussing addiction recovery, two words often come up. These are detox and rehab. Contrary to what many people believe, these terms are not interchangeable. Detox refers to the removal of harmful substances from the body. In the case of addiction, this means the removal of drugs or alcohol. On the other hand, rehab is the treatment of the addiction, usually through a combination of medical treatment and therapy. When beginning addiction treatment a choice must be made of detox, rehab, or both. 

Most Common Addictions that Require Detox 

Detox can be an important part of the addiction treatment process. A detox program is most often used to treat addictions to:

●  Alcohol

●  Prescription Opioids

●  Heroin

●  benzodiazepines

While these are the most common addictions that require detox, they are not the only ones that can make use of it. Detox can be used to clear any addictive substance from the body. 

The Important Factors of Recovery from Addiction

A successful recovery from addiction is not an easy process and consists of many factors. The two major factors are: 

●  Psychological/Emotional Recovery: In most cases, addiction has a negative impact on the mental state of those suffering from it. A successful recovery must address this through the use of therapy. This can help an addicted person regain their belief in themself. They will also learn about their triggers and how to avoid them, allowing them to avoid falling back into addiction.

●  Physical Recovery: Addiction also has physical effects on the body. This is often addressed with exercise and other physical activities. Healthy habits should also be reinforced, including eating well and getting enough sleep.

When both of these factors are addressed, there is a much higher chance of a successful recovery from addiction. 

Get a Medical Evaluation

Detox is a medical process and a medical professional, usually a doctor, should be consulted before making a decision. They can evaluate the extent of the addiction and the risk the addicted person will face if they stop their drug of choice “cold turkey”. The doctor will also ask questions about the patient’s: 

• Goals
• Prior and current drug use
• Lifestyle
• Obligations
• Concerns
• Physical, mental, and emotional health
• Prior attempts at detoxing 

This allows the doctor to fully understand where the patient is in their addiction and if they truly want to begin recovery. The doctor can then make a recommendation regarding whether or not they believe the patient is an appropriate candidate for a detox program.

When Is Detox Needed Before Rehab?

Many drugs, including opiates, alcohol, and benzodiazepines, cause the user to become physically dependent on them. When these drugs are stopped, it can cause adverse medical conditions. This can include severe seizures, cardiac arrest, and even death. Detox is needed when a person has become physically dependent on drugs and potentially faces these medical conditions when they stop using. During detox, the patient is often weaned off the drug slowly, lowering the chances of an adverse medical reaction. The patient will also be administered medications, such as anti-seizure medication, to further lower the chances of a negative physical reaction. If something does happen, the patient is already surrounded by medical staff who are ready to act. Detox is the safest way to begin the addiction recovery process. It can be a scary process to start, but when you consider drug overdoses kill 96,700 people per year, detox is always the better option.

When Is Detox Not Needed? 

Detox is not needed when a drug does not cause physical dependance, such as with marijuana addiction. It is also not needed for behavioral addictions such as addictions to: 

• Gambling
• Overeating
• Video games
• Plastic surgery
• Shopping
• Social media

Stopping behavioral addictions like these does not carry a risk of seizures, cardiac arrest, or other medical issues, and thus does not require a detox. Always consult a medical professional if you are unsure if you or a loved one should start the addiction recovery process with a detox.