Author: Lyssanoel Frater
For those seeking to recover from substance use disorder, commonly known as drug addiction, Orange County detox centers provide a safe environment and medically supported ways to start their healing journey. Professional care is essential to help patients deal with withdrawal symptoms. Detox centers also help reduce health risks and enable patients to seamlessly transition into long-term treatment programs.
People don’t need to struggle with addiction alone. Orange County detox centers provide critical services, and the county has become a hub for recovery.
About Addiction
Substance use disorder is a brain-based medical condition. There are biological, environmental, and genetic factors that contribute to someone struggling with addiction.
Drugs interfere with neurotransmission in the brain, affecting areas that control the reward circuit, the extended amygdala, and the prefrontal cortex [National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2020]. This results in compulsive behavior and impaired self-control.
When the drugs leave the system, withdrawal symptoms manifest because of how the drugs affected the brain.
Detox Is the First Step in Recovery
Detoxification or detox is the first step in recovery. This is the process of clearing drugs and/or alcohol from the body. As the substances leave the body, the person goes into withdrawal. The symptoms can sometimes be severe, such as seizures, hallucinations, and extremely high blood pressure. Sometimes withdrawal can be life-threatening, so medical supervision is important for safety reasons and also increases recovery success rates. Orange County detox centers will determine if medications are necessary to reduce risks.
Detox is not a cure. The psychological and behavioral issues must also be dealt with to ensure someone is on the road to long-term recovery.
Types of Detox Programs Offered
There are various types of drugs that people can be addicted to. Though people often think of opioids, other substances taken socially can also be addictive, such as alcohol and marijuana. When alcohol and marijuana become disruptive to a person’s life and they are dependent on them to deal with daily stressors, they have developed a dependency.
Alcohol detox programs help patients with the risk of severe withdrawal symptoms, such as delirium tremens, which is a collection of withdrawal symptoms that can be life-threatening. When alcohol leaves the body, the brain becomes hyperactive because alcohol is no longer suppressing brain chemicals. Delirium tremens symptoms include confusion, disorientation, hallucinations, agitation, anxiety, paranoia, tremors, seizures, fever, rapid heartbeat, high blood pressure, sweating, and sleep disturbances. Without medical assistance, delirium tremens can result in death, with a mortality rate of around 37% [MedicalNewsToday, 2023].
For those struggling with dependence on marijuana, there are detox services that help with the extreme discomfort that can result from withdrawal.
Both programs provide 24/7 clinical support, personalized care, holistic therapies to help with stress and cravings, and non-addictive medications to ease withdrawal symptoms.
Admissions and Personalized Care
The Orange County detox centers will respond with compassion and urgency when someone reaches out to them about admission to the clinic. The admission process is completely confidential. The team will determine if detox is the appropriate first step, as well as verify the patient’s insurance and inform them what is covered. The goal of the clinics is to make the recovery as smooth as possible and have a tailored approach to care.
Patients are told what to bring with them, how to prepare, and exactly what to expect during their time at the clinic. The clinics are committed to creating a peaceful, welcoming environment with the structure necessary to help people detox, stabilize, and recover.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What can I expect from Orange County detox centers?
The clinics provide a tailored approach to recovery by providing personalized detox plans, medical supervision, and supportive care to help patients through the discomfort of withdrawal.
Q2: How long does detox usually last?
Detox starts a few days after the last alcoholic drink or dose of marijuana. Alcohol detox can last as long as 7 days, while marijuana detox is around 4 days.
Q3: Do detox centers provide aftercare?
Aftercare is an important part of recovery, and the centers provide therapy, support groups, and long-term recovery programs.