There is a misconception that detox and rehab are the same thing, but it’s not a complete picture of either concept. Many, if not most, rehab programs include a detox component, but detox is only the first part of the rehab process, not the end of the it. Detox is the beginning of finding relief from substance abuse and putting a stop to addiction, but rehab is necessary after that to make it stick.
To truly understand how detox programs prepare you for rehab, it’s important to look into how it is represents a step toward complete recovery.
Detox is the simplified word for “detoxification,” the word used to define the process for weaning a patient off of an addictive substance. In layman’s terms, it’s a “drying out” period for alcoholics, or a “cold turkey” end to using drugs of some sort.
Of course, it’s not as simple as just… stopping the use of drugs or alcohol. The cessation of substance abuse inevitably leads to withdrawal symptoms, which can be unpleasant and, in serious cases, even dangerous. A proper detox program has the patient under observation in case medical intervention is necessary, in the case of bad tremors or even seizures, which can be fatal if left untreated in some cases.
This process is at its worst between 48 and 72 hours of the patient ending substance abuse, and that period is when the patient is at their most vulnerable to relapse and resuming their addiction to avoid the worst of those side-effects.
But after detox is done, the patient is not. That is only the first step to prepare the patient for rehab.
Rehab is not the same as detox, though it inevitably requires some form of detox to get started. Rehab, on the other hand, is a longer process of therapy and treatment to teach the patient how to avoid cravings and temptations, give them techniques to resist such problems and, overall, help them avoid relapse in the future by equipping them to deal with issues during their recovery.
Rehab can last for weeks or months — a common stay in an inpatient rehab facility is 90 days — and is a long-term project that is about teaching the patient to STAY off drugs, not just the process of getting them off drugs.
At Good Landing Recovery, detox is part of the rehab process, but just the first part. Good Landing offers a full suite of services in rehab, from group sessions to one-on-one therapy and more to make rehab more successful when the patient leaves and enters long-term recovery.
Detox is a vital part of the recovery process, but it’s much less likely to stick without further preparation for what comes after treatment. Rehab is designed to give the patient that preparation and make them more resilient in recovery to avoid relapse.
Understanding how detox programs prepare you for rehab is a step toward a complete recovery. Good Landing can help you get there. Give them a call today to get started.
