The terms Detox and Rehab are often used interchangeably, but they’re actually two separate steps in the recovery process. Learning the benefits of Detox and Rehab, the stages of addiction they’re appropriate for, and differences between the programs can help you begin your journey to sobriety with the appropriate level of care that sets you up for long-term success.
What Is Detox?
Short for Detoxification, the main objective of a drug or alcohol Detox program is to protect you from the harmful effects that can result from stopping drug or alcohol use. A Detox program uses medications, medical monitoring, therapies, and other tools to help you stop using drugs and/or alcohol safely. By managing the symptoms of withdrawal and ridding the body of toxins, a Detox program prepares you for a substance abuse treatment program, whether its inpatient or outpatient.
Types of Detox
While all Detox programs have the same goal, there are different approaches to reach that goal. The type of Detox program you need will depend on the substance(s) you’re quitting, any co-occurring disorders, and your overall health. Most Detox programs begin with an assessment to determine the severity of your addiction and potential withdrawal symptoms. Many facilities combine different types of Detox into a cohesive program.
Inpatient Detox
Inpatient Detox is the highest level of Detox care, treating people who have developed medical issues and/or mental health conditions as a result of their alcohol or drug use and people who are at risk of severe withdrawal symptoms. At an Inpatient Detox program, you’ll live at the facility and be cared for around the clock by staff who are specially trained and licensed in Detox care. Inpatient Detox programs can last between five days and two weeks.
Medically Assisted Detox
Medically assisted Detox refers to a program that uses medication-assisted treatment (MAT) and other supportive therapies such as counseling to help reduce uncomfortable or dangerous withdrawal symptoms and address any health complications that arise as a consequence of Detox. Medication-assisted Detox treatment can also help reduce drug or alcohol cravings and decrease the chances of future relapse. The medications used in a medical Detox program are determined by the type of substance you’ve been using, how long you’ve been using, and the presence of any underlying physical or mental health conditions.
Outpatient Detox
In an outpatient Detox treatment program, you’ll typically go to a Detox facility or hospital for daily treatment sessions ranging from 15 minutes to two hours. Outpatient Detox can last anywhere from three to 14 days and is sometimes combined with a day hospital program.
Holistic Detox
A holistic Detox program focuses on the emotional, mental, and spiritual effects of quitting alcohol and/or drugs. Common holistic Detox tools include teaching natural methods of pain and stress relief, education around healthy lifestyles, nutritional counseling, and mindfulness exercises. Holistic Detox is often combined with medical Detox to create a program that treats the whole person.
What Substances Require Medical Detox?
If you’ve developed a dependence on alcohol or any kind of drug, you’ll experience some level of withdrawal when you stop using. Withdrawal from cannabis, for instance, may cause symptoms such as irritability, depression, anxiety and insomnia. Other addictive substances cause withdrawal symptoms that can be extremely uncomfortable and even life-threatening. Detox from the substances listed below should always be done under medical supervision.
Opioids and Opiates
Opioid and opiate withdrawal causes very unpleasant symptoms, such as nausea, insomnia, intense cravings, and anxiety. But the most dangerous complication of opioid and opiate withdrawal is when people begin using again just to make these uncomfortable symptoms go away. Doing this puts you at a very high risk of accidental overdose, as your body’s tolerance for opioids or opiates has decreased during the period you weren’t using. Medical Detox programs may use medications like buprenorphine (aka suboxone), tramadol or other medications to manage opiate withdrawal symptoms.
Alcohol
Because alcohol is a legal substance, many people underestimate how dangerous unmanaged alcohol withdrawal can be. People who are thinking about how to Detox from alcohol should never try to stop on their own. Symptoms of alcohol withdrawal can include seizures, hallucinations, delirium tremens, strokes, and even death. Medications used to manage alcohol withdrawal include naltrexone, acamprosate, and benzodiazepines.
Benzodiazepines
Stopping benzo use can cause a range of symptoms, from headache to panic attacks. But some benzo withdrawal symptoms can be very serious, including delusions, hallucinations, seizures, and heart attack.
What is Rehab?
Short for Rehabilitation, the goal of drug and alcohol Rehab programs is to give people who suffer from substance use disorders the support and tools that they need to manage their disease and regain a healthy, substance-free life. Most Rehab programs use a combination of medical treatment and different modalities of therapies to treat substance use disorder.
Types of Rehab in Tennessee
Inpatient Rehab – Also called residential treatment, inpatient Rehab is a treatment program where participants live at the treatment facility under the care and supervision of addiction specialists. An inpatient or residential program is typically a good choice for people with severe or recurrent problems with addictions and people who have co-occurring disorders. Inpatient treatment programs can last a month or longer.
Outpatient Rehab is drug or alcohol treatment that doesn’t require participants to live at the treatment facility. Instead, people in Outpatient Rehab live at home or in a sober living house and attend treatment sessions several days per week for several hours at a time. These programs are often referred to as IOP (Intensive Outpatient Programs) or PHP (Partial Hospitalization Programs). Outpatient Rehab is often the next step for people who have completed an inpatient program. It’s also a good option for people with mild to moderate substance use disorder who have a strong support system.
Rehab Therapies and Activities
Both Outpatient and Inpatient Rehab programs involve a variety of therapies and activities including:
- Individual counseling sessions
- Group therapy
- Behavioral therapy
- Family education
- Holistic therapies such as mindfulness exercises and creative activities
What Are the Key Differences Between Detox and Rehab?
Though they are both steps in the recovery process, Detox and Rehab have some key differences.
- Focus: The focus of Detox is to make sure you’re safe, comfortable, and physically stable as your body adjusts to the absence of drugs and/or alcohol. Rehab is focused on treating the causes and consequences of addiction.
- Length of stay: Detox has a shorter duration, lasting between five and 14 days
- Sequence: Detox is your first step in recovery. Rehab follows Detox.
- Environment: Detox centers are focused on medical care. Rehab takes place in a residential or therapeutic environment.
- Staff: Detox happens under the supervision of medical professionals. And while medical professionals can be involved in Rehab as well, Rehab is largely staffed by therapists, counselors, and addiction specialists.
Do I Need Detox or Rehab?
The level of addiction care you need can be determined by your answers to the following questions.
- What substances are you using? If you’re using alcohol, opiates, opioids, or benzos, you need medical Detox to protect your health and assure your safety. If you’re using cannabis products or stimulants, you may be able to go straight to Rehab. But it’s always a good idea to undergo a professional addiction assessment to ensure you’re making the best choice for your health and long-term recovery.
- What stage of addiction are you in? The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-V) has established 11 criteria for substance use disorders and stages of addiction. If you meet only two or three of the criteria, you are classified as being a mild stage of addiction which means you may be able to begin your recovery journey with a Rehab program. If you meet six or more of the criteria, you’re classified as having moderate to severe substance use disorder and should strongly consider entering a Detox program first. Again, a professional assessment is critical to getting the right type of addiction care.
- What symptoms do you have? If you’ve decreased or stopped using drugs and/or alcohol and are experiencing withdrawal symptoms such as nausea, tremors, seizures, cravings, or urges to use, you would benefit from a medical Detox program. Going cold turkey on your own can be dangerous and even life-threatening, so if you’re experiencing severe withdrawal symptoms, seek medical help immediately.
- Have you already stopped using on your own and feel OK? If so, then you can likely skip Detox and go straight to a Rehab program.
Detox vs. Rehab: How to Choose
The first step in choosing where to begin your recovery is to schedule an assessment with your healthcare provider or an addiction treatment specialist. Many Detox centers and Rehab facilities have addiction specialists on staff who can assess the level of care that you need. If you’ve decided that Detox is your best first step, make sure that the center you’re considering is licensed and accredited and offers therapeutic post-Detox care that helps ease your transition to Rehab.
Detox Centers in Tennessee
If you’re ready to begin your sobriety journey, Brentwood Springs Detox is here to support you with expertise, community, and compassion. Reach out to us any time, day or night, at (615) 640-3457 and start reclaiming your life.
