Medical Detox in San Diego
Written by: Michelle Beaupre, PhD, LCSW | Reviewed by: Christian Small, MD
The first step in recovery from alcohol or drug addiction (or addiction coupled with a mental health disorder) is detox.
For individuals seeking out treatment centers and medication-assisted treatment in San Diego, Villa Oasis offers professional support and upscale treatment options. Our luxurious environment and landscape of natural beauty lend themselves to help ease the detox process.
The initial stages of treatment for an alcohol or drug addiction begin with detoxification at our San Diego drug rehab. Detox begins the process to eliminate toxins or chemical substances from the body without having the patient suffer potentially fatal withdrawals.
For those who are physically dependent on substances, a safe detox is an essential part of the practical recovery process.
What to Expect from Medical Detox in San Diego
Detoxification is the process by which the body gets rid of toxins. This includes toxins and addictive substances such as alcohol or drugs. With long-term substance abuse, or sometimes just a single exposure, toxins accumulate within the body.
At our drug treatment center, detox is supervised by medical professionals, allowing the body to safely rid itself of these substances. Our residential treatment facility in San Diego is also equip to handle the resulting addiction recovery process that follows detoxification.
A successful detox stabilizes the brain’s chemistry, which then allows for an accurate assessment of the resident’s physical and psychological condition. From here, a person’s journey through drug and alcohol addiction can transform into a path to wellness and healing.
Our substance abuse recovery center is fully prepared to help patients find peace after their drug detox. Withdrawal is not a comfortable process, so our San Diego luxury rehab helps drug abuse patients find the peace they’ll need during this delicate time.
Common Medical Detox Symptoms
After the body has become dependent on drugs and alcohol, it can feel nearly impossible to stop using. When substance use is abruptly stopped it is major shock to the entire system. For this reason, detox almost always involves withdrawal symptoms, which the staff at Villa Oasis helps residents to manage.
The type and severity of withdrawal symptoms can vary from person to person. Withdrawal symptoms are based on the particular substance and the length of use.
Common withdrawal symptoms include:
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Sweating
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Vomiting
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Seizures
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Anxiety
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Depression
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Irritability
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Tremors
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Hallucinations
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Weakness
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Watery eyes
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Change of appetite
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Muscle pains
Some of these withdrawal symptoms—like vomiting or diarrhea—may seem not too serious. However, the rapid dehydration they cause can be fatal. For this reason, most addiction treatment programs include a detox that is supervised by medical professionals.
Benzodiazepine and alcohol addiction are both especially dangerous substances to detox from. If you or your loved one needs treatment for alcohol rehab or benzodiazepine addiction treatment, reach out and speak with one of our experts to see what treatment options would be best.
How Does Medical Detox Work?
Medical detox can mean one of two things:
The medications used in such treatment act on the brain’s pathways in the same way the addictive substance does. These medications signal the brain to stop the withdrawal symptoms that occur when substance use is abruptly stopped.
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In medically supervised detox, medical professionals are on hand to ensure the safety of the residents undergoing the detox process.
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In certain cases, medications are used to support the detox process. This is called medication-assisted treatment.
The medications used in such treatment act on the brain’s pathways in the same way the addictive substance does. These medications signal the brain to stop the withdrawal symptoms that occur when substance use is abruptly stopped.
In other words, the medications are safer than the addictive drug or alcohol. However, detox medications do affect the brain in a similar way. Once this kind of treatment begins, the resident will no longer experience physical cravings for the drug or alcohol. The substitute medication fulfills the physical and mental demands of the addiction.
How Villa Oasis’ Medical Detox Center Supports the Detox Process
At Villa Oasis rehab center, the detox process is supported by a comfortable and positive setting. Medical professionals and staff members are committed to a culture of warmth and authentic care. We pride ourselves on treating residents and their loved ones with compassion and respect.
New admissions to Villa Oasis are screened by intake staff for their need for detox. Every client is evaluated by one of our medical providers at admission and receives an individualized detox plan, with ongoing medical oversight under the direction of our Medical Director, a board-certified addiction psychiatrist. Licensed and credentialed staff are on site around the clock, and medications are used when clinically appropriate to keep clients safe and comfortable throughout withdrawal.
Most clients complete a 28-day program, beginning with medically supervised detox and continuing directly into residential treatment on the same estate, with the same care team. The length of detox is guided by each client’s clinical needs, typically from several days to a little over a week, and the remainder of the stay is devoted to residential care.
Integrated care for co-occurring mental health concerns, often called dual diagnosis. Substance use rarely exists on its own. Every client is screened at admission, and our clinical team incorporates co-occurring concerns into each individualized plan, with coordinated referrals for ongoing support after discharge.
In addition, Villa Oasis:
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Provides systematic support for withdrawal from whatever substance dependence the resident suffers from.
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Offers carefully planned and applied medical assistance from a diverse team of highly skilled professionals.
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Assesses the medical and emotional needs of residents, and prescribes counseling and psychiatric consultation as necessary.
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Supports residents—through individual and group therapy—in identifying relapse triggers and learning strategies to maintain sobriety.
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Creates individual treatment strategies to meet the unique needs of each resident.
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Ensures that a long-term treatment and recovery plan is in place, as support for lasting sobriety.
Different substances remain in the body for different lengths of time—which affects the time required for detox. In most cases, a resident suffering from a Substance use disorder (SUD) can expect to detox from the substance within a week. However, cravings may continue for weeks or months longer.
How Long Does Medical Detox Take?
Detoxing from alcohol or drugs includes clearing the body of toxic substances and managing any withdrawal symptoms that may occur.
The entire detox process can take anywhere from a few days to several months. For instance, alcohol leaves the body within a few days—but detoxing from alcohol cravings may take much longer.
The total amount of time required to complete the detox process depends upon many factors. Generally, the determining factors for a detox process include; the resident’s age, weight, drinking habits, and other health issues.
Factors affecting length of detox
How long detox takes depends upon:
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The user’s age, weight, and gender.
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The particular substance or multiple substances.
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The frequency of use of the substance.
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The quantity of the substance ingested.
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Presence of co-occurring mental health disorders.
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The user’s medical history.
Length of detox by substance
The detox experience of each resident will depend upon the particular substance that is being detoxified and their patterns of use.
For instance, the physical symptoms of alcohol detox generally taper off within a week. Meanwhile, cravings can continue to be strong until the therapeutic process is completed.
In cases of severe opioid or heroin addiction, withdrawal symptoms may persist for six months or longer.
For this reason, it is important to seek help from a professional treatment provider or drug detox in a comprehensive rehab program. Our program at Villa Oasis is led by our Medical Director, a board-certified addiction psychiatrist, together with our medical providers and other licensed professionals.
Embrace Sobriety with Medical Detox and Full Programming at Villa Oasis
There are addictive substances that require supervised detoxification at a drug detox facility. If a person attempts to detox themselves without careful oversight, serious complications can occur.
The staff at Villa Oasis detox center in San Diego monitor our residents closely during their stay. We also ensure our residents comfort during the detox and withdrawal process. Residents in the detoxification protocol are observed very closely for the initial hours of inpatient treatment. In the following days, they will continue to be monitored by our medical staff.
In case of a medical emergency, all staff are trained in emergency protocols. Our medical providers work under the direction of our Medical Director, a board-certified addiction psychiatrist. In addition, transfer to a local emergency room or an acute care hospital stay is available, as needed.
Healing Treatment Programming at Villa Oasis
The environment of our luxury rehab treatment program at Villa Oasis allows residents to fully concentrate on their therapies and treatments. Our San Diego medical detox center provides beautiful and calming bedrooms, stunning natural beauty, and nutritious gourmet meals to help residents feel comfortable and supported during their recovery.
In addition, we offer a range of holistic therapies and evidence-based treatments to support the medical detox and recovery process, including:
Art therapy
Art therapy is a form of therapy that uses creative expression as a way to improve mental health and emotional well-being. Our art therapy program is led by licensed art therapists and provides residents with a safe and supportive environment to explore their creativity and work through emotional challenges.
Sound-bowl therapy
Sound-bowl therapy is a form of meditation that involves the use of Tibetan singing bowls to produce a soothing sound. Our licensed therapists use sound-bowl therapy to help residents reduce stress, promote relaxation, and improve overall well-being.
Mental health services
Our clinical team uses evidence-based approaches such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help clients build coping skills for the mental health concerns that often accompany substance use. Each client’s plan is individualized and coordinated by our licensed clinicians.
Behavioral health
At Villa Oasis, we understand that addiction is often a symptom of underlying behavioral health issues. Our licensed therapists work with residents to identify and address any behavioral health concerns that may be contributing to their addiction.
Throughout our drug and alcohol rehab programs, we offer evidence-based therapies such as Motivational Interviewing (MI) and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) to help residents develop the skills they need to overcome these challenges and sustain their recovery long-term.
Dual diagnosis
We also understand that substance use is often accompanied by concerns such as anxiety, depression or trauma. Through integrated dual diagnosis care, our clinical team addresses these together with substance use, helping each client stabilize and build practical coping skills.
Continuing care after detox
Detox at Villa Oasis flows directly into residential treatment on the same estate, with the same care team. When treatment concludes, a dedicated case manager works with each client to secure the right aftercare, including arranging tours of aftercare programs when desired.
Start the healing journey now
For someone suffering from an addiction to alcohol or drugs, entering a detox and rehab program can literally be life-saving. Villa Oasis, one of the detox centers in San Diego is here to address your specific needs. Our team of proven professionals is ready to support you during your recovery journey.
We chose San Diego for our alcohol and drug rehab because we believe the Southern California atmosphere helps promote healing and health. Come and schedule a tour to see our residential treatment facility for yourself.
To get started, or to receive more information about our drug and alcohol treatment programs, contact us today.
