Do You Have to Go To Drug Detox Before Rehab?

If you’re unfamiliar with how drug and alcohol addictions are treated, you might be a little puzzled by how the whole process works. You’ve probably heard of detox, but what does that mean exactly? Can you go to rehab, or do you have to detox before rehab in Boca? What happens in rehab, and do you (or your loved one) really need to go?

Although each detox facility and rehab may be different in terms of amenities and the different disorders that they treat, the process of helping someone get and stay clean and sober is pretty much the same. Some with substance use disorders need to go through withdrawal after their last drink or drug under medical supervision, but not everyone does. 

Rehab has several different levels of care, some highly structured and others available after school, at night, and on the weekends. While some people with drug or alcohol addictions need to go through each level of care, starting with the most structured living at a residential treatment facility, others can start at a lower level.

In general, the longer the period of time and the more heavily you’ve been using your substance of choice, the more care you’ll need to ensure you don’t relapse and keep moving forward on your recovery journey. 

Do You Have to Go to a Drug and Alcohol Detox Before Rehab? When is it Necessary?

Usually, when you arrive at a recovery center, the staff will take your vital signs and assess your health. They’ll make a recommendation as to what the best course of action is for you.

But if you want to know if you’ll need detox before rehab, there are some guidelines. In general, if your drug of choice is cocaine, nicotine (found in cigarettes and vapes), or marijuana, you might not need a supervised detox. These drugs aren’t so much physically addictive as they’re psychologically addictive. You don’t usually have withdrawal symptoms when you stop using them. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t ask for help. But you can go straight into rehab instead.

Several signals indicate that you have built up a dependence on your drug of choice and will need a supervised detox in Boca before rehab and work on your recovery.

• When you can’t get rid of your drug, you feel nauseous and sweaty and have headaches, body aches, or other withdrawal symptoms.
• You’ve been using alcohol, benzos (benzodiazepines such as Valium and Xanax), or opioids such as fentanyl, heroin, oxycodone, or methadone for months or years. These are all known to be physically addictive.
• You crave the drug when you don’t have it.
• You’ve already tried at least once to quit but couldn’t stay off the drug long-term.
• Your life consists of two things: getting the drug and taking it.
• You’ve lost your job, school, or home.
• You face legal consequences, such as jail, due to your drug and alcohol use.
• You have a co-occurring mental health disorder such as anxiety or depression.
• You’re in bad physical condition, underweight and dehydrated. Or you are diabetic, have heart problems or high blood pressure, or you’re pregnant.

Can I Detox Myself Without Professional Detox Before Rehab?

Depending on your situation, you might not need to detox before rehab. If you’re in decent health and none of the conditions above apply to you, detox might not need to be part of the process. Some addicts don’t have to go to rehab; they might be able to get sober with 12-step or similar types of recovery meetings.

However, for anyone likely to relapse during rehab or have medical issues from withdrawal, it’s better to go to detox. You want to give yourself the best possible chances of staying sober once you’ve had your last drink or drug. Most withdrawal symptoms start within a few hours of the last dose and are typically mild. You might be a little uncomfortable, but the onset of the adjustment is not too painful.

However, usually, within one to three days of the last dose, you’re in peak withdrawal. The symptoms can go from mild to moderate or severe and be very painful to the point where you must take another dose to feel better. A supervised detox can help manage these symptoms and provide support so you don’t relapse. 

You can’t get treated for your disorder if you’re still drinking and using, so stopping your intake is the first step in recovery. After the withdrawal (typically about a week after your last usage), you can start addressing the underlying issues that led to the substance abuse and learning how to manage stress.

If I’m Already Detoxed, What Level of Rehab Will I Start With?

Typically, if you need to detox before rehab, you’ll enter the highest level of rehab, inpatient treatment. You live at the facility while receiving therapy, usually individual and group counseling. 

After inpatient addiction treatment, you may attend a partial hospitalization program. It’s outpatient, so you don’t live at the treatment center, but you spend most of the day on the weekdays in therapy. The next level is outpatient on nights and weekends.

After inpatient and outpatient treatment, there’s aftercare to help support you as you stay sober. You might also go to sober living for some extra support and accountability before you fully transition back to the “real world.”

Detox or Rehab Needs to Overcome Addiction: TruPath Can Help

You don’t have to stay stuck in your addiction any longer. At TruPath, we offer detox and behavioral health treatment so that you can get clean and stay clean. We provide medication-assisted detox in Boca and rehab as necessary, giving you the tools you need to live a fun, fulfilling, and healthy life without being dragged under by drugs and alcohol.

Don’t wait any longer to get the life you want and deserve. Call us at (251) 501-4357 to get started.