Qualities to Look for in a Charlotte Drug and Alcohol Detox Center

When you choose to stop using drugs or alcohol, attending detox is the first step toward recovery and lifelong sobriety. When an individual is addicted to a substance and decides to quit, they will experience symptoms of withdrawal as well as psychological cravings.

However, detox programs help patients soothe or eliminate the symptoms of withdrawal they experience. This allows the patient to begin focusing on treating the other aspects of their addiction and the issues that led them to develop their substance use disorder.

Unfortunately, not every detox center is created equally. Because of this, looking for a detox program to attend may be stressful. To avoid unnecessary stress, we have created an overview of the qualities of a good detox center.

Here are a few important characteristics to look for when choosing a Charlotte, North Carolina drug and alcohol detox center.

The Importance of Finding a Quality Detox Center

Addiction is a serious disease, with serious consequences associated. Addiction treatment cannot be taken lightly, as one relapse could lead to an overdose or a life-threatening health condition. Because of this, it is important to find a quality detox center to attend.

The human body requires a delicate balance of chemicals to function properly. When an individual uses a substance repeatedly or frequently, the balance of chemicals will be compromised. This physically changes the structure of the brain, altering the way that hormones are regulated.

Additionally, many substances affect neurotransmitters in the brain, causing impacts to the reward and pleasure centers of the brain. This causes addiction, leading the body to crave those substances and be unable to function without them.[1]

When a person stops taking the substance, they will feel sick and irritable. This is the body’s way of telling the individual that it needs more to function properly. However, detox programs force an individual’s body to go without the substance, allowing body chemistry to return to normal with time. To avoid uncomfortable symptoms, medical professionals will administer detox medications, allowing the individual to be successful in their detoxification process.

Without a quality drug detox center, individuals may not be successful during the detox stage, leading to a repeated cycle of short-lived sobriety and addiction. As a result, individuals need to attend a reputable detox program.

Qualities of a Good Drug & Alcohol Detox Center

Now that we understand the importance of a reputable detox program, let’s talk about what qualities make a drug and alcohol detox center superior.

Licensed and Trained Medical Staff

As with any medical facility, detox programs are required to employ licensed and certified medical staff. These medical professionals will handle your psychological and physical medical conditions as well as soothing your symptoms of withdrawal.

Without licensed and trained staff, mistakes could be made during treatment. Mistakes during detox should never occur, as this is the most important step in an individual’s recovery.

With that being said, medical staff should be available during all hours to assist patients with all of their needs. To be specific, patients should feel comfortable counting on staff to provide them with medications, emergency medical care, and 24/7 monitoring to assess progress. Additionally, it is of equal importance for the staff to be responsible and caring at all times.

24-Hour Supervision and Monitoring

When a patient is going through the detoxification process, they must be monitored and supervised at all times. Symptoms of withdrawal and drug or alcohol cravings do not take breaks, so patient supervision should not either.

At a good detox center, patients will have their vitals checked all throughout the days and nights. This helps medical staff treat any physical conditions as soon as they arise, preventing them from becoming severe.

Additionally, reputable detox programs provide patients with 24/7 psychological support, as quitting alcohol or drugs can be very mentally taxing. In doing so, detox programs prevent their patients from experiencing the dangerous symptoms of conditions like depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions.

Medically-Assisted Treatment Services

When you stop using drugs or drinking, you will experience symptoms of withdrawal. The severity and type of withdrawal symptoms an individual will experience depend on a number of factors, including the substance abused, how long it was abused, age, overall health, and much more.

Common withdrawal symptoms include:[2]

• Nausea and vomiting
• Increased blood pressure and heart rate
• Anxiety
• Irritability
• Mood swings
• Sweating or chills
• Insomnia
• Lack of appetite
• Hallucinations or delusions

Additionally, individuals will experience intense cravings for the substance that can last for several days. To soothe the symptoms of withdrawal, good detox programs will provide a medication-assisted detox plan that utilizes FDA-approved medications.[3]

Referrals to Addiction Treatment Programs

While detox is a vital aspect of addiction recovery, it is not a cure. Individuals should attend inpatient or outpatient addiction treatment upon completion of a detox program to treat the psychological aspects of addiction and the underlying causes of their substance abuse. Luckily, patients leaving a reputable alcohol detox program in Charlotte will receive referrals to equally efficient addiction treatment programs.

Start Your Recovery At the Best Detox Center in Charlotte, North Carolina

If you or a loved one have made the decision to give up alcohol or drugs, it’s important to attend a detox program. Now that we understand what makes a good detox center and the importance of attending a reputable one, let’s talk about Charlotte Detox Center.

The #1 detox center in North Carolina, Charlotte Detox, holds its staff and patients to the highest standard. With evidence-based therapies and FDA-approved medication-assisted detox, our detox center will provide you with everything you need to succeed. Contact us today for more information.

References:

1. https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugs-brains-behavior-science-addiction/drugs-brain
2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK459239/
3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4014033/