Substance dependency has long-since been a serious health-related issue throughout the U.S., and rates of addiction continue to skyrocket as chemical substances become more affordable and easily accessible. Individuals who suffer from this chronic, relapsing brain condition will experience an accumulation of personal consequences, ranging from issues in interpersonal relationships and problems at work and school to serious financial, legal and health-related issues. The term substance abuse and dependence refers to a wide range of chemical substances, from illicit drugs like heroin, cocaine and methamphetamine to legal drugs like prescription opioids and stimulants. If you or someone you love has been struggling with addiction, entering into a substance dependency detox is an important first step on the road to recovery.

At Boca Detox, we take a unique approach to detoxification. Whereas state-funded facilities and hospital settings offer standardized, impersonal care, we treat each of our clients on a highly individualized basis. The Boca Detox method focuses on more than physical stabilization. We work to adequately prepare our clients to take the next appropriate step on their personal journeys of addiction recovery. While medical detox is an important initial step on the road to recovery, it must be closely followed by a higher level of care in order to be truly effective. As part of the Guardian Recovery Network family, we work closely with several of the top residential rehabs and outpatient treatment programs in the country. Once you have undergone a safe, pain-free drug or alcohol withdrawal and have been deemed physically stable, we will help you determine which level of care is right for you. Contact us today to learn more about drug or alcohol withdrawal treatment options, or to get started on your own personal journey of recovery.

What is Substance Detox?

When an individual develops a dependence on a chemical substance, it essentially means their brain chemistry has been significantly altered and that quitting without professional intervention is no longer an option. At Boca Detox we have extensive experience treating substance dependency disorders of all types and severities. When someone who has been abusing a substance regularly stops doing so abruptly, he or she will experience symptoms of withdrawal. At Boca Detox, we treat symptoms of substance withdrawal in a safe, supportive homestyle retreat setting. The withdrawal symptoms that we treat include withdrawal from alcohol, opioid narcotics, benzodiazepines, stimulants, synthetic drugs and many more. We also treat withdrawal symptoms associated with polydrug abuse, meaning that more than one chemical substance was being abused at a time. No matter what type of substance use disorder you have been suffering from, we are available to help.

Substance Misuse & Dependency

Those who are suffering at the hands of a substance abuse disorder of any severity must seek professional treatment of some degree, whether that be a multi-phased continuum of care or extra support in bi-monthly individual therapy sessions. In most cases, addiction treatment will consist of three main phases — medical detox, inpatient treatment and aftercare. In medical detox, an individual will undergo drug or alcohol withdrawal in a safe and closely monitored environment. Symptoms of withdrawal will be treated as they arise. Once a client has been stabilized, they will transfer to inpatient treatment, which will typically last for between one and three months. During inpatient treatment, clients will undergo intensive group and one-on-one therapy sessions. They will learn healthy coping mechanisms and vital relapse prevention skills. They will thoroughly address the underlying causes of substance dependency, from underlying mental illness to unresolved trauma. Finally, the client will transition to aftercare, which typically consists of a long-term stay at a sober living facility and a continuation of clinical care.

How to Detox from Substance Use

Medical detoxification is always a necessary first step on the road to substance dependence recovery. At Boca Detox we are dedicated to making this initial step as pain-free and productive as possible. When a person undergoes drug or alcohol withdrawal, their system essentially goes into shock, leading to a range of uncomfortable symptoms. Many people attempt to detox on their own, assuming entering into an inpatient detox program is not necessary. The truth is that even if associated symptoms are not immediately life-threatening, they often lead a person back to their drug of choice before the process has come to an end.

How Does Substance Detox Work?

The symptoms of substance use withdrawal vary significantly depending on the substance being used. In many cases, the symptoms of withdrawal are harshly unpleasant and lead to extreme physical and psychological discomfort; however, the majority of withdrawal symptoms are not life threatening. In some instances, the symptoms of drug and/or alcohol withdrawal can lead to life-threatening complications if left untreated. Alcohol and benzodiazepines are the two chemical substances associated with the most severe withdrawal symptoms. If a client comes to us after having abused one of these two chemical substances (or both simultaneously), we utilize a combination of Medication Assisted Treatment and therapeutic intervention. When it comes to substances like heroin and prescription painkillers, we will also utilize MAT — namely medications like Suboxone, which can be extremely beneficial when it comes to alleviating physical symptoms of withdrawal and combating psychological drug cravings.

A symptom-based approach to medical detox is generally most effective. This essentially means as soon as a symptom arises it is effectively treated. At Boca Detox our individualized approach to detox ensures that each client is receiving all of the clinical and therapeutic care they require as symptoms and related issues arise.

The National Institute on Drug Abuse provides a list of the most commonly used drugs in the country. The list includes the following substances:

• Alcohol
• Marijuana
• Opioid narcotics (heroin, prescription opioids, fentanyl)
• Benzodiazepines
• Prescription stimulants
• Cocaine
• Methamphetamine
• Hallucinogens
• Inhalants

Symptoms & Signs of Substance Dependence

The signs and symptoms of substance abuse vary significantly depending on what substance or substances are involved. However, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-5) lists 11 main criteria for substance abuse. In order for an individual to be diagnosed with a substance use disorder, he or she must present two of these criteria within a 12 month time period.

The criteria for substance use disorder:

1. Taking the substance in larger amounts or for longer than originally planned.
2. Trying to quit or cut back but being unable to do so.
3. Spending an ample amount of time obtaining, using and recovering from the substance.
4. Experiencing intense physical and psychological cravings.
5. Avoiding activities that were previously enjoyed in lieu of using the substance.
6. Continuing to use despite interpersonal problems and other consequences.
7. Continuing to use even when repeatedly being put in danger or in harm’s way.
8. Beginning to fail at work or at school and being unable to complete daily tasks.
9. Continuing to use despite imminent health risks.
10. The development of a physical and psychological tolerance to the substance.
11. Experiencing withdrawal symptoms upon ceased use.

How Long Do You Really Need to be in Substance Detox?

The duration of your stay in detox depends heavily on what type of substance you were using and the severity of the substance use disorder. In most cases, inpatient detox lasts for between three days and one full week. However, if you have been abusing alcohol or benzodiazepines, or if you have been using another chemical substance for a significant length of time, you might stay for between two and three weeks before your symptoms have fully subsided and you have been physically cleared for the next stage of treatment.

Opioid Withdrawal Timeline:

• 8-24 hours after the final dose – Mild symptoms of withdrawal begin.
• 24-48 hours after the final dose – Symptoms begin to worsen in severity.
• 72 hours after the final dose – Withdrawal symptoms begin to peak at around 3 or 4 days.
• 5-7 days after the final dose – The more severe symptoms begin to subside. Drug cravings persist.

Benzodiazepine Withdrawal Timeline:

• 24 hours after the final dose – Withdrawal symptoms begin to develop.
• 1-3 days after the final dose – Severe withdrawal symptoms develop and must be closely monitored.
• 1-3 weeks after the final dose – Severe symptoms subside and are replaced by symptoms of protracted withdrawal.

Stimulant Withdrawal Timeline: 

• Immediately after the final dose – Minor withdrawal symptoms begin to develop.
• 6-12 hours after the final dose – Severe withdrawal symptoms begin to develop, and include anxiety, depressed mood, drug cravings and agitation.
• 48-72 hours after the final dose – Severe symptoms subside and are replaced by symptoms of post-acute withdrawal.

What Medications are Used to Detox Substance Use?

Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) is only utilized when deemed necessary by the medical team. Because active addiction affects everyone differently, the detox process will not look identical for any two clients. The right treatment options for you are determined upon your arrival.

The medications most commonly used for the treatment of opioid withdrawal include:

• Over-the-counter pain relievers and fever reducers, like acetaminophen and ibuprofen.
• Non-narcotic sleep aids to help alleviate insomnia.
• If a client is simultaneously struggling with underlying mental illness or if the psychological symptoms of withdrawal are particularly severe, an anti-anxiety medication or antidepressant might be prescribed.
• In severe cases of opioid withdrawal, MAT (like buprenorphine or naltrexone) may be utilized — however, MAT is more commonly prescribed during the next stage of addiction treatment (residential rehab, PHP or IOP).

The medications most commonly used for stimulant withdrawal include:

• Over-the-counter pain relievers. Medications like acetaminophen and ibuprofen might be used to treat symptoms like headaches, low-grade fever and general feelings of physical discomfort.
• Non-addictive sleep aids. If a client is struggling with insomnia, a safe and non-narcotic sleep aid might be prescribed.

The medications most commonly used for benzodiazepine withdrawal include:

• Anticonvulsants – Seizures are not uncommon side effects when it comes to benzodiazepine withdrawals. In the case of a seizure, our prescribing physicians prescribe an anticonvulsant to be taken for the remainder of the acute detox period.
• Clonidine. This medication can help alleviate nausea and vomiting.
• Non-addictive muscle relaxants – Medications like Gablofen and Lioresal have been repeatedly proven to reduce the overwhelming psychological benzodiazepine cravings that often lead to relapse.

Contact Us to Learn More

The symptoms associated with drug withdrawal can be extremely uncomfortable when left untreated. It is important to seek the care of a team of experienced medical professionals before associated symptoms peak in severity. At Boca Detox we effectively treat the symptoms associated with drug withdrawal while providing our clients with the tools they need to continue along on their personal journeys of addiction recovery. Getting started is as simple as reaching out for help. Once you make initial contact, either through our website or over the phone, you are put in touch with one of our experienced Treatment Advisors who will answer any additional questions and walk you through our simple admissions process. We begin by conducting a brief pre-assessment, which helps our medical team determine which detox methods are the best fit for you. We offer a free, no obligation insurance benefit check and arrange local transportation to our Boca, Florida detox center. All you have to do is reach out for help, and we will take care of the rest.