Should I Seek Drug Detox Before a Drug Rehab Center?

Drug rehab and drug detox are two separate things, and it is important to know the differences before you select a treatment method. Some drug rehabs will offer a detox program as part of their treatment plan. Drug detox is the actual process of removing the substance from the body, helping you to overcome the physical addiction to the drug. Detox is not a complete form of rehab.

Medical Intervention May Be Needed

For severe addictions, such as an addiction to heroin, you will experience severe and uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms. The benefit of having medical intervention is that you may be given medications to ease these symptoms. An example is methadone, which is given to lessen the effects of heroin withdrawal.

Drug Rehab Treatment or Drug Detox Treatment?

You may wonder if you should go to drug detox before enrolling into a drug rehab facility. Some rehabs will a detox program; however, not every rehab does. If you have a serious addiction that requires detox, going through detox treatment before enrolling at a rehab will be beneficial, especially if detox is not available at rehab. You should seek drug detox prior to entering drug rehab center on the following occasions:

• If you are unable to stop drug use on your own. If you cannot stop using drugs on your own because you cannot handle the withdrawals, then a detox program may be necessary before entering rehab.
• When you refuse to go to rehab but are in grave danger. It is possible that you are using the drug heavily and will not realize you are at a high risk of death or other serious medical conditions. Going to detoxification will help with the physical addiction to the drug. There is then a chance that when you sober up, you will enter a rehabilitation facility.
• When you cannot safely stop using cold turkey. There are some drugs that can cause death if you stop taking them suddenly. You may have to be weened off the drug. In this case, other prescription medications may be administered to help you stop using the substance. Because of the need for these medications, professional drug detoxification may be necessary before you can begin rehab.

You should not seek detox before going to rehab if:

• The drug rehab clinic you are attending offers drug detox.
• You can stop using without medical intervention.

Get Drug Addiction Treatment Help

If you need help determining if you need to go to detox before rehab, call us at the number provided. We can answer your questions and provide you with treatment information.