Medical Detox

What Is Medical Detox For Addiction?

The medical detox process, or medical detoxification, is an important step in the addiction treatment process.

The overall goal of any alcohol or drug detox program is to provide stabilization to the recovering addict as they get over their physical dependency on drugs or alcohol.

During drug or alcohol detox, clinicians or other licensed medical professionals will monitor your vitals. Sometimes, medication can be prescribed to wean the patient off the drugs they were taking—also known as tapering.

Detox is offered at both the inpatient and outpatient levels. Medical detox is provided at hospitals, rehab treatment centers, and standalone detox facilities. The option that is best for you will often depend on your level of addiction and the risk of your withdrawal symptoms.

When Is a Medical Detox Necessary?

Medical detox can be an important step in the substance abuse recovery process. A few circumstances could make a medical detox the right choice for yourself or a loved one.

Medical detox can provide the following benefits:

• Ensure a safe detoxification process in cases with dangerous withdrawal symptoms
• Mitigate uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms that could lead to relapse
• Provide medical support for those with additional health conditions or co-occurring disorders

Medical Detox For Life-Threatening Withdrawal Side Effects

Detox treatment is highly recommended for individuals who are quitting a drug or alcohol addiction and are at risk of experiencing severe or dangerous withdrawal symptoms.

The following substances present the highest risk for dangerous withdrawals:

• Alcohol addiction
• Benzodiazepine addiction (e.g. Xanax®, Valium®)
• Opioid addiction (e.g., heroin or prescription opiates)

While withdrawal symptoms from most substances can be uncomfortable, alcohol and benzodiazepine withdrawals can cause life-threatening side effects without medical intervention.

For instance, delirium tremens (DTs) are a severe side effect of alcohol withdrawal. DTs can cause hallucinations, sudden high blood pressure, seizures, and coma. Under medical supervision, however, these symptoms can be mitigated to ensure your safety.

Medical Detox To Assist In Relapse Prevention

While some withdrawals may not be life-threatening, the side effects can still be extremely uncomfortable for the patient. Additionally, patients may experience strong cravings as one of their withdrawal side effects.

Both the discomfort and the cravings can encourage the individual to return to substance abuse to avoid these sensations. However, with medical detox, healthcare providers can help mitigate your discomfort through tapering or other medications.

For example, the symptoms of opioid withdrawal themselves aren’t usually life-threatening, but they can be notably uncomfortable without medical support.

Patients detoxing from opioids have a very high risk of overdosing if they relapse, so medical detox can help alleviate their discomfort to prevent potential relapse.

Medical Detox For Co-Occurring Disorders

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) indicates that overall care for individuals with other medical conditions (physical or mental health) will not differ much from any other patient diagnosed with substance use disorder.

However, co-occurring disorders may require special consideration of medications used during medical detox, as well as the presentation of other symptoms.

If you or your loved one have co-occurring disorders or any additional health concerns, medical detox can ensure that the withdrawal process does not exacerbate any of your other symptoms.

What to Expect During a Medical Detox

Now that you might be considering medical detox, you may be wondering what you or your loved one can expect during the process.

Medications Used During a Medical Detox

Sometimes, your doctor will prescribe medication during medical detox to help mitigate the negative symptoms associated with withdrawal.

Also known as Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT), these medications are used both to combat the effects of withdrawal and to help patients avoid relapse.

Some of the most common medications used during detox include:

• Methadone
• Buprenorphine
• Suboxone
• Naltrexone
• Benzodiazepines

Some of these medications are intended for use on a very short-term basis. Other medications may be part of your overall substance abuse treatment plan and be used even after medical detox has been completed.

Where Does Medical Detox Take Place?

Medical detox can be performed at multiple treatment facilities. Hospitals, inpatient rehab centers, outpatient rehab centers, and standalone facilities can all provide the services required for medical detox.

The type of facility where you seek your medical detox may depend on your specific treatment plan (i.e., if you are also seeking a rehab program), as well as the severity of your addiction and the level of risk that comes with your withdrawal symptoms.

Inpatient Detox

Inpatient medical detox services are recommended for individuals with more severe addiction or other serious health issues.

Inpatient detox requires the patient to check into and stay at a treatment facility during the entire detoxification process. During their stay, medical professionals can monitor their vitals and adjust medication or treatment as needed.

Patients at inpatient facilities also have 24/7 access to life support services, which may be necessary for those recovering from addiction to benzodiazepines or alcohol.

Outpatient Detox

Outpatient detox is provided to patients with mild to moderate addictions. These patients can visit a detox treatment facility for medical care, support, and medication adjustments but may not require around-the-clock care.

Recovering addicts in outpatient facilities receive the same quality of care as those in inpatient detox but don’t require the same level of care as more at-risk patients.

Is Detoxing Safe?

Medical detox itself is a very safe process overall.

However, depending on the severity of addiction and the type of substance that was abused, the individual may experience some dangerous withdrawal symptoms.

Detoxification occurs when the body begins eliminating a substance from its system. As the brain stops receiving this substance, it may start to overcompensate—causing a vast range of symptoms, from a runny nose to seizures.

The withdrawal symptoms that a person will experience depend on factors such as level of addiction, type of substance(s) abused, and even personal medical history.

Some substances (i.e., alcohol or benzodiazepines) are also known for their potentially life-threatening side effects. Therefore, self-detox or “quitting cold turkey” is NOT considered safe in many cases.

During medical detox, patients have access to a team of clinicians as well as (when necessary) around-the-clock care and access to life support to mitigate these potentially dangerous side effects.

How Long Does a Medical Detox Take?

Medical detox programs typically run for between 3 to 7 days. However, overall detoxification can vary depending on several individual factors.

Factors that can impact the length of detox include:

• Type of substance(s) abused
• Length of abuse
• Quantity consumed
• Age
• Gender
• Medical history
• Presence of additional health issues (i.e., co-occurring disorders)

The medical detox process is designed to mitigate any dangerous symptoms of withdrawal and make the initial process more comfortable for the person in recovery.

Once medical detox is completed, the patient may still experience some cravings. In many cases, some form of continued addiction treatment program is recommended, such as inpatient or outpatient rehab.

What Are The Steps Of a Medical Detox

The medical detox process can be broken down into a few stages.

The stages of medical detox generally follow the same order:

1. Assessment: Medical detox usually begins with assessing your medical history and current needs.
2. Withdrawals: Next, the patient will begin to experience symptoms of withdrawal. These symptoms can vary depending on the substance you were using, how long you used it, and other unique health factors. You will receive ongoing medical care and support as you progress through the withdrawal phase.
3. Medication: Patients often receive medication treatment to help minimize these withdrawal side effects and ensure their safety.
4. Transition: Once complete, you may receive a referral for a rehab center (inpatient or outpatient), depending on your specific treatment plan.

What Happens After a Medical Detox?

After medical detox, the individual should remain focused on their overall addiction recovery. While detox is an important part of the process, it isn’t the main issue that needs attention.

Many individuals go from detox to a rehab program. There are various treatment options, including inpatient and outpatient options.

If you experienced medical detox at an inpatient facility, then after your detox is complete, you may begin to incorporate additional therapy and activities into your daily rehab schedule.

Those in outpatient care may continue to seek therapy and work with support groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or Narcotics Anonymous (NA) to strengthen decision-making and continue to avoid alcohol or drug use.

Find a Medical Detox Facility Near You

If you or your loved one are ready to take the first step in your recovery journey, you can find a medical detoxification program near you through the SAMHSA online treatment locator or by calling them for free at 1-800-662-4357.

Written by

Jessica Miller

Editorial Director

Jessica Miller is the Editorial Director of Addiction Help. Jessica graduated from the University of South Florida (USF) with an English degree and combines her writing expertise and passion for helping others to deliver reliable information to those impacted by addiction. Informed by her personal journey to recovery and support of loved ones in sobriety, Jessica's empathetic and authentic approach resonates deeply with the Addiction Help community.

Reviewed by

• Fact-Checked
• Editor

Kent S. Hoffman, D.O.

Co-Founder & Chief Medical Officer

Kent S. Hoffman, D.O. has been an expert in addiction medicine for more than 15 years. In addition to managing a successful family medical practice, Dr. Hoffman is board certified in addiction medicine by the American Osteopathic Academy of Addiction Medicine (AOAAM). Dr. Hoffman has successfully treated hundreds of patients battling addiction. Dr. Hoffman is the Co-Founder and Chief Medical Officer of AddictionHelp.com and ensures the website’s medical content and messaging quality.