Understanding the Difference Between Detox and Rehab
Although detoxification (detox) and rehabilitation (rehab) serve different purposes in addiction recovery, they are both critical to success. Detox is the process of removing harmful substances from the body, while rehabilitation focuses on the underlying causes of addiction and helps individuals develop skills to maintain long-term sobriety.
Understanding the difference between the two and their value can help individuals and their loved ones make informed decisions about the type of treatment that best fits their needs and increase the likelihood of successful recovery.
What is Detox?
Detox refers to the physical process when a person stops using or significantly reduces their intake of an addictive substance. As the body and brain struggle to adapt to the absence of a substance and dispel accumulated toxins, withdrawal symptoms begin. Physical and mental side effects can range from mild to severe, depending on the addictive substance and level of addiction. In some cases, detox can be dangerous.
When detox occurs under medical supervision (medical detox), health professionals can administer medications to help ease side effects and continuously monitor the patient’s physical and mental well-being to minimize health risks.
Besides medical detox, other detoxification methods include:
- Cold turkey – means a person stops using a substance abruptly with no medical intervention. It can be dangerous and is not recommended for certain substances like alcohol, heroin, opioids, or benzodiazepines. Weaning slowly from the substance, called tapering, is often a safer approach.
- Holistic detox – relies on natural and alternative therapies such as acupuncture, massage, and meditation to help the body rid itself of toxins and manage withdrawal symptoms.
- Rapid detox – occurs under anesthesia while medications are used to speed up the detox process. It is controversial and carries significant risks.
- Social detox – means the individual undergoes detox in a non-medical setting with the support of peers and counselors. It is often used for individuals with less severe addiction or those who cannot undergo medical detox for various reasons.
The detox process can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks, depending on the substance and the individual’s level of dependence.
What are the Risks and Potential Complications of Detox?
Withdrawal symptoms can be severe and even life-threatening sometimes, especially for individuals who have been using drugs or alcohol heavily and for a long time. Because of the potential for dangerous or significantly uncomfortable side effects, most experts recommend detox under a doctor’s supervision.
Risks and complications of detox can include:
- Dehydration and malnutrition because of excessive vomiting and diarrhea, which can be dangerous if not treated promptly.
- Causing or worsening medical conditions such as heart problems, liver disease, and seizures, especially if the individual has a pre-existing condition.
- Causing or worsening psychiatric conditions such as anxiety, depression, and psychosis can be difficult to manage without proper medical intervention.
- Higher risk of relapse for those who detox without professional help or do not participate in a rehab program after detox.
The ultimate goal of detox is to prepare individuals for the next phase of addiction treatment, which involves rehabilitation to address the psychological aspects of addiction.
What is Rehab?
Rehab refers to addressing the underlying causes of addiction and helping individuals develop skills to maintain long-term sobriety. Treatment plans typically involve a combination of behavioral therapies; individual, group, and family counseling; and support groups. These plans can be done inpatient or outpatient.
The goal of rehab is to help individuals understand the root causes of their addiction, develop coping mechanisms to deal with triggers and cravings, and learn healthy behaviors to replace addictive behaviors. Rehab may also involve medication-assisted treatment to manage withdrawal symptoms and reduce cravings. The length and intensity of rehab can vary depending on the individual’s needs and addiction severity.
Substance abuse rehab programs may include:
- Inpatient or residential rehab – involves living at a treatment facility while receiving intensive therapy and support.
- Outpatient rehab – allows individuals to receive treatment while living at home and attending work or school.
- Partial hospitalization programs (PHP) – offer a higher level of care than traditional outpatient rehab, with individuals spending several hours a day at a treatment facility but returning home at night.
- Intensive outpatient programs (IOP) – involve regular sessions at a treatment facility, but individuals do not live there and have more flexibility to attend to other responsibilities.
- 12-step programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous, or secular programs like LifeRing, provide a supportive, peer-led environment for individuals in recovery to share their experiences and work through the recovery steps.
The length and intensity of rehab can vary depending on the individual’s needs and addiction severity. A healthcare professional can help determine the most appropriate rehab program for an individual’s needs.
Key Differences Between Detox and Rehab
For most people struggling with addiction, supervised detox followed by rehab are critical components for successful recovery.
The key differences between detox and rehab:
- Detox is a physical process focusing on getting rid of toxic substances in the body and managing withdrawal symptoms, while rehab is a psychological process addressing the underlying causes of addiction.
- Detox usually occurs in a medical setting, while rehab can take place in a residential or outpatient setting.
- Detox is a short-term process, while rehab can last several weeks to several months.
Detox is the first step in recovery, but if the patient does not follow detox with a program designed to help them address and manage the psychological aspects of their addiction, they have a high risk of relapse.
Seeking professional help for addiction recovery is essential for individuals with substance use disorders. Addiction specialists provide individuals with the support, resources, and strategies they need to achieve lasting recovery, improve their overall health and well-being, and rebuild their relationships with loved ones.
At Midwest Recovery Centers, our addiction experts provide medically supervised detoxification and residential and outpatient treatment programs. We are certified by the Joint Commission, verifying our dedication to the highest level of safe, quality patient care. We are committed to guiding clients toward a happier, healthier, more fulfilling sober life.
Reviewed and Assessed by
Taylor Brown, B.A.Com., CADC
Tim Coleman, M. of Ed.
Start Your Recovery Now!
Have A Midwest Recovery Centers' Team Member Call You Today.
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Staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Medical
Midwest Recovery Centers believes strongly in a client-centered approach. Substance Use Disorder is not what it was 5 or even 2 years ago. The substances on the street are constantly changing and so are the number of contraindications and fatal threats that substance use imposes on the person suffering. Our Medical team continues to stay up to speed with new advances of evidence-based approaches in treating those with both substance use disorder as well as their co-occurring mental health diagnosis. There are many varying pieces to each client’s situation when it comes to tackling the puzzle of a medical detox, and each step in the treatment planning is carefully selected, reviewed, and communicated for the best possible outcome of each client. We understand that consideration of the medical history, family history, past trauma, past and current substance use are all key indicators to most effectively give each client the best chance at developing a recovery process. Each client may present with a different scope of medical needs whether it’s their blood work or the most effective medications for them. Midwest Recovery Centers is proud to have the finest medical team to meet these individual and specific needs of each client that walks through our doors.
Clinical
When it comes to the therapeutic treatment of patients with substance use disorder, Midwest Recovery Centers believes in a client-centered approach guided by evidence-based practices. Substance use disorder has been identified by the American Medical Association as a disease, but because addiction is a disease that impacts behavior, treatment of this disease is often heavily focused on modifying behaviors and thoughts as well as establishing a new way of life. We place a strong emphasis on educating patients about this chronic illness and empowering them to practice treating it as such. Our clinical team is composed of leading experts in the field. We believe in having a staff as diverse as the clients we serve; from Licensed Professional Counselors to Licensed Clinical Social Workers, our staff is highly trained and educated in not only addiction but the mental health issues and life circumstances that often accompany it. Many of our clinicians have their own personal experience in long term recovery which lends them to an even better understanding of what our patients are experiencing. Our staff is highly skilled in choosing the most effective therapeutic modality for each client’s needs, to give them the best chance of securing the recovery process that will change their lives. Our clinical team understands that this is a family disease. This is why clinicians will offer weekly updates to families as well as concrete tools for families to utilize as they journey through this illness with their loved one. Those tools will be offered by the patient’s individual clinician as well as at our free Family Night on the first Wednesday of each month, offered to anyone in the community.
Our Origin Story
I began Midwest Recovery in honor of my mother, Betty Lou Wallace, who taught me responsibility in life and sobriety.
Mom was born, raised, and lived most of her life in Missouri, a state I'm still proud to call home. She had five children. The youngest were my older brother Don and me.
We knew that the disease of addiction ran in the family, but it wasn't until Don and I grew older that we realized we were falling into addictive patterns. Through it all, Mom was supportive of her children but firm about one principle: whether the disease was inherited or developed through your environment, you were responsible for your recovery from addiction.
"I will be supportive of your recovery but I will not enable your addiction," she was fond of saying.
Ultimately, I stayed sober from 1990 to 1997, when I relapsed. With Mom's support, I was able to get sober again in 2002. Tragically, Don was not so lucky. He passed away in 2005 from complications of an injury and continued addiction.
Mom wanted no parent to suffer from the sorrow and anguish of losing a child, so in 2002, she helped me establish my first treatment center business.
As Mom grew older, she shared with me some lessons she had learned through her affiliation with Al-Anon, a support group for family members of loved ones struggling with addiction. She asked me to stay clean and sober one day at a time and to use the lessons I learned in my own recovery to help others who were suffering.
In 2008, Mom passed away from throat cancer, one day after my six year sober anniversary. I still remember that one of the last times we spoke, she told me she was proud of my recovery.
Mom would be so happy to know that myself, our partners, and our team are carrying on her legacy in her home state. I don't know if my own recovery process would be intact without her and the lessons she shared. So much of what we share with our clients at Midwest began with Betty Lou.
Above all, Mom imparted several teachings that I carry with me every day: that people are inherently good, and if they fall into addiction, this makes them sick, not bad. She taught me to be patient, tolerant, loving, and kind to myself and to others.
Most of all, she taught me that recovery works if we are able to be honest with ourselves about our own behavior. That’s what she helped me accomplish and that’s what we strive to accomplish with every Midwest client.
On behalf of Betty Lou, I thank you for your interest in Midwest Recovery.
Jeff Howard
Start Your Recovery Now!
Have A Midwest Recovery Centers' Team Member Call You Today.
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The Role of Self-Care in Sustaining Recovery
Self-care is a cornerstone of successful long-term recovery from substance abuse. It involves adopting practices that promote physical, emotional, and mental well-being, helping individuals manage stress and maintain sobriety.
Overcoming Stigma in Seeking Treatment for Substance Abuse
The stigma surrounding substance abuse is a significant barrier to seeking treatment. Many individuals delay getting help because of fear, shame, or judgment.
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