Long-term substance abuse can typically result in significant physical and overall health issues. Addiction is a disease that can touch the lives of anyone at any time. It does not discriminate and is not limited to those who have a hereditary or genetic link to the illness. Deciding to take the step of seeking addiction treatment is one of the most challenging and frightening decisions one voluntarily makes. The withdrawal and detox process is difficult and, depending on the nature of one’s specific addiction, some potentially dangerous side effects are common. Because of these side effects (withdrawal symptoms), it is highly recommended that you choose to complete the detox and withdrawal process at a luxury detox facility in California like Stillwater Behavioral Health. Our locations in Montecito and Porter Ranch offer you an escape from the chaos of addiction.
For many addicts who choose to enter treatment, detox is the first and vital step in the treatment process. Detox is often required to cleanse the body of any substances. Only after your system is substance-free is it possible to fully immerse yourself in a drug and alcohol treatment program. Many consider quitting “cold turkey” for various reasons, most notably the lack of need to be away from family or work for an extended time. While “cold turkey” may seem less intrusive, it is vital to remember that self-detox, especially from certain substances- can be dangerous and often leads to relapse.
Here at our dual diagnosis treatment center in California, we offer a state-of-the-art drug & alcohol detox program at our residential facilities. Our expert treatment team will coordinate your detoxification protocols within hours of entering our doors in order to provide clients with instant relief from withdrawal symptoms. Keep reading to learn more about withdrawal and how we approach detoxification at our Southern California luxury drug & alcohol detox.
Detoxing from drugs or alcohol can be scary, painful, and sometimes dangerous. Unfortunately, withdrawal symptoms are part of the detox process for everyone. While using or drinking, the brain and other body systems become accustomed (even dependent) on a certain amount of an addictive substance to carry out daily functions. Because of how drugs and alcohol change the structure and function of the brain, it will eventually crave substances to carry out essential functions like dopamine release. The release of dopamine, responsible for emotions such as happiness, joy, and natural pain management, is influenced by how drugs and alcohol attach to dopamine receptors in the brain. Over time, the effects of just one drink or just one dose of a particular drug are not sufficient to achieve desired results.
Someone struggling with addiction will continue to use more and drink more to achieve the same high they remember from the first time they tried drugs or alcohol. When they try to reduce or stop using or drinking, the brain struggles with the lack of substance, and cravings occur. These cravings, or withdrawal symptoms, are what often lead to relapse. According to data released by the National Institute on Drug Abuse and Health, as many as sixty percent of addicts in recovery will experience at least one incidence of relapse after completing an addiction treatment program. Due to the intensity and overwhelming nature of cravings, relapse is significantly more common among those who try to get sober without the guidance and support of a comprehensive addiction treatment program.
The high occurrence rate of relapse is part of the reason why a detox program is essential to ensuring success in achieving sobriety. During detox, the brain and body will crave the substances it is not getting, resulting in withdrawal symptoms. These cravings can be painful, overwhelming, and challenging to manage without medical supervision and assistance. These symptoms will be relatively mild for some people and can include tremors, gastric upset, nausea, elevated heart rate, changes in breathing patterns, and dizziness. In these cases, it is not uncommon for someone trying to quit a substance on their own to turn to drugs or alcohol to self-medicate and seek relief from withdrawal symptoms. In other, more severe cases, heart palpitations, seizures, and other life-threatening situations can occur. This is even more common when detoxing from substances such as alcohol and opioids. For these reasons, it is essential to seek detox in a location where medical supervision is available.
The process of detoxing from opioids (illegal or prescription) and alcohol can lead to withdrawal symptoms with deadly complications. Although the most severe complications only occur in a small percentage of cases (approximately ten percent), it is essential to ensure life-saving medical intervention and medical assistance are available in time to intervene. Some of the more severe withdrawal symptoms can include the above, as well as delirium tremens (DTs), cardiac arrest, respiratory failure, stroke, and psychiatric issues that can lead to erratic and dangerous behaviors.
Detox is not treatment; however, it is a first and essential step on your journey to sobriety. When you enter a luxury detox center in California, you can expect a few steps. The first will likely be the intake process. During intake, a member of our Santa Barbara inpatient treatment team will conduct an intake interview and exam. The purpose of the interview process is to learn more about the types of support you will need during detox and withdrawal and throughout your stay at our treatment program. Depending on the program and your unique needs, the exam may also consist of conversations about your physical health and history with substance use, blood work, and tests to assess your mental and physical health. These steps are crucial to determining if you are still actively using and to help the treatment team learn more about any co-occurring mental or physical health conditions that your treatment team must address during your treatment program.
Detoxification
Healing the body.
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Residential Inpatient
Healing the mind.
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Unique Therapies
Learning to live again.
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Dual Diagnosis
Mental health matters.
We offer extensive treatment for co-occurring mental illness.
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Drug Addiction
Understanding the disease.
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Alcoholism
Quit drinking for good.
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The next step is detox support. As previously mentioned, the intensity and severity of the detox and withdrawal process varies significantly from person to person. During detox at our Santa Barbara detox center, you can expect to receive full medical and emotional support throughout the detox process. Depending on your needs, you may receive medications to help reduce the intensity and severity of withdrawal symptoms. During a medically supervised detox program, you can expect to have your vitals (including heart rate, temperature, breathing, and blood pressure) monitored regularly. The goal of detox is to provide physical, emotional, and spiritual guidance throughout the earliest and most challenging stage of your sobriety journey.
Stillwater Behavioral Health works with most major insurance carriers who offer out-of-network benefits. This typically includes PPO and POS insurance plans, but if you are unsure of the type of insurance you have, contact us for a free consultation and verification of benefits today.
1. Talk to Us About Your Problem
We've been in your shoes. Let us know what's going on and how we can help by contacting us today via phone, email, chat or by filling out a form.
2. Get a Free Assessment
One of our caring admissions coordinators will contact you for a free pre-assessment so we can find you the best treatment options.
3. Prepare to Enter Treatment
Once we verify your benefits and arrange intake, it's a smooth and easy process to enter our program and begin your journey to lasting recovery.
After completing detox, it is possible to transition into a comprehensive addiction treatment program that includes therapy, addiction, nutritional support, addiction, and self-care instruction while working towards sobriety and recovery.
Regardless of your substance of choice, no one should try to detox from drugs or alcohol alone or go “cold turkey.” Those who detox in a medically supervised setting are provided with ongoing support and care essential to successful detox and recovery. At Stillwater, we understand the unknowns often attributed to detox are scary. Our highly trained team of providers and counselors are here to provide support and guidance through detox while helping our clients manage the emotional and physical changes that come with sobriety and recovery. Detox is only the first step on your recovery journey, but without detox and a commitment to sobriety, it is impossible to defeat drugs and alcohol and begin a healthy life free from addiction.
Medically supervised detox programs provide the best and often most successful path to sobriety for many who seek treatment for addiction each year. In a medically supervised detox setting like at our drug rehab in Santa Barbara, you will have access to evidence-based treatment options, alternative treatment options, and comprehensive support provided by a highly trained staff available for continual guidance. This high level of support provides a far more comfortable path to recovery than can be found through self-detox or the cold turkey detox method.
Our luxury drug and alcohol detox services in Santa Barbara, California, ensure you are provided 24/7 access to highly trained medical staff, dietary services complete with a professional chef and trained dieticians, medication assistance if necessary, and alternative treatments to make your detox as comfortable as possible. Research has shown that your chances of successfully achieving sobriety and long-term recovery are greatly enhanced if you complete the entire detox and treatment program. At our private, luxury inpatient treatment setting, skilled medical and therapeutic providers along with a caring and compassionate staff will work to ensure you are assisted in the entire process to begin your journey of healing.
Your path to healing starts today.