Utah Detox Centers

What Is Drug Detox in Utah?

Alcohol and drug detox in Utah is the process of removing harmful addictive substances from an individual with substance use disorder. Detox aims to safely manage the uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms using medications when an individual stops taking addictive substances.

Medical detox is not a substitute for addiction treatment and rarely maintains long-term sobriety. Instead, it is only the first treatment available to an individual dependent on an addictive substance. Drug and alcohol detox does not treat mental or medical health issues. Therefore, medical detox in itself is not adequate for treating substance abuse and sustaining sobriety.

In Utah, all facilities offering medicated drug and alcohol detox services to patients must obtain licensing from the Utah Department of Human Services. In addition, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) provides information and resources on rehabilitation services within Utah to reduce the impact of substance abuse in Utah communities.

How Long Does It Take to Detox from Drugs in Utah?

The drug detox timeline varies according to the substance of dependence. According to SAMHSA's report, the average duration for an opioid detox is three to five days, while a marijuana detox may last several weeks. However, other factors contribute to the time a patient stays in rehab during detox. They include:

• Duration and frequency of substance addiction
• Method of abuse
• Multiple substance dependence
• Underlying medical conditions
• Individual biological factors
• Previous treatment episodes
  
  

Duration and Frequency of Substance Addiction

Persons who have used addictive substances for extended periods have a lengthier stay in detox than individuals dependent on the same addictive substance for a shorter period. In addition, the number of times an individual consumes an addictive substance daily influences how long the person stays in a drug detox center. Typically, patients who frequently use addictive substances have a lengthier detox period.

Method of Abuse

The method of ingesting addictive substances affects how long the patients stay in rehab. Users typically inhale, smoke, inject or swallow addictive substances. Drugs consumed orally circulate the body slower than any other method of administration. Therefore, patients who consume addictive substances orally have a shorter detox stay than persons who inject or inhale them. 

Multiple Substance Dependence

Some people are chemically dependent on more than one addictive substance. The effect of multiple substance dependence during detox makes the drug detox process complicated. Patients dependent on more than one addictive substance require extra medical care and supervision during detox, usually over an extended period. Consequently, multiple substance users have a lengthier stay in detox than an individual addicted to one substance.

Underlying Medical Conditions

Medical detox aggravates withdrawal symptoms and complicates the detox process for persons with multiple medical conditions. Consequently, the drug detox center must treat the patient's underlying medical conditions during detox. Most treatment centers adopt a comprehensive but phased treatment for persons with co-occurring medical conditions. Therefore, patients presenting other medical conditions during drug detox have a lengthier detox period than persons without co-occurring medical conditions.

Individual Biological Factors

Gender, weight, age, and ethnicity can influence the duration of a patient's stay in a drug detox center. For instance, younger persons aged 12-17 years without underlying medical conditions have a shorter stay in rehab than their older counterparts. Likewise, females have a lengthier stay at a drug detox center than their male peers due to other circumstances, including sexual abuse, eating disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), victimization, and panic disorder predominantly faced by women.

Previous Treatment Episodes

Individuals who have had a prior treatment episode and relapsed will have a lengthy stay in detox treatment. Usually, the drug detox center aims to get to the root cause of relapse and tailor future treatment to mitigate against a relapse. Consequently, such patients will require intensive treatment, monitoring, and care which typically extends their stay in rehab. 

How Long Does It Take to Detox from Alcohol in Utah?

The average time it takes to detox from alcohol in Utah, based on SAMHSA's report on admission and discharge for substance use disorder, is five days. In reality, other factors may influence how long a patient stays in treatment during alcohol detox. For instance, age, race, gender, and weight may increase or decrease withdrawal timelines. Similarly, other factors such as usage history with alcoholic substances, multiple medical and mental health conditions, and abuse of more than one addictive substance can lengthen a patient's stay in an alcohol detox treatment center.

The Detoxification Process at a Utah Drug Detox Center

Drug and alcohol detox is a comprehensive process that must meet the specific needs of the patient. Therefore, a successful treatment process at a Utah drug detox center should comprise the following:

Evaluation 

During the evaluation phase, medical personnel assess the patient. They obtain the patient's medical history, screen for any mental or physical disorders, and obtain blood samples to measure the volume of addictive substances in the patient's system. In addition, the drug detox center appraises the medical and social state of the patient to determine the best approach to treatment. Medical professionals draft an initial treatment program adapted to meet the patient. The treatment plan forms the basis for future treatment. 

Stabilization.

During detox, medical professionals use medicated-assisted treatment to help patients through the difficult withdrawal symptoms to a medically safe and substance-free state. In stabilization, clinical staff monitor the patient throughout the drug detox process to ensure the treatment plan is effective or to manage any medical complications that may occur. 

The medical professionals educate patients on what to expect during this phase and their role in sustaining recovery. In some situations, the medical practitioner involves the patient's approved personal support group, including family, friends, and employers. Stabilization aims to protect the patient from harm during detox by ensuring the patient is mentally and physically stable throughout the process.  

Withdrawal Symptoms of Detox

Withdrawal symptoms emerge from the abrupt cessation of addictive substances. Depending on the drug of dependence, withdrawal symptoms range from mild discomfort to acute life-threatening conditions. 

Opioids

Known detox withdrawal symptoms from opioids include high blood pressure, anxiety, insomnia, rapid pulse, enlarged pupils, sweating, runny nose, elevated body temperature, muscle ache, goosebumps, depressed mood, irritability, nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting.

Benzodiazepines and Sedative-Hypnotics

Mild to moderate symptoms following the detox for sedative-hypnotics include anxiety, insomnia, blurred vision, dizziness, increased sensitivity to light and sound, excessive sweating, headaches, panic attacks, nausea, abdominal cramps, and vomiting. More severe withdrawal symptoms include hallucination, delusion, confusion, muscle twitching, memory loss, paranoia, and seizures.

Stimulants

Stimulant withdrawal symptoms include anxiety, depression, fatigue, irritability, poor concentration, dulled senses, slowed speech, body aches, increased appetite, dehydration, chills, impaired memory, weight loss, insomnia, hallucination, paranoia, and drug cravings.

Solvents and Inhalants

Persons detoxing from solvents and inhalants may experience the following withdrawal symptoms: Anxiety, irritability, depression, agitation, restlessness, excessive sweating, headache, dizziness, hand tremor, runny nose, rapid heartbeat, poor memory, difficulty concentrating, mood swings, anger, hallucination and substance cravings.

Nicotine

Depression, insomnia, fatigue, frustration, headaches, dizziness, anger, anxiety, irritability, constipation, diarrhea, cough, sore throat, dry mouth, difficulty concentration, decreased heart rate, rapid eye movement, increased appetite, weight gain, and nicotine craving are the known withdrawal symptoms following a nicotine detox. 

Marijuana and Hashish

Patients intoxicated from marijuana and hashish will experience the following withdrawal symptoms during drug detox restlessness, mood swings, anxiety, sleep disturbance, loss of appetite, weight loss, inability to concentrate, headaches, irritability, fatigue, tremors, excessive sweating, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, elevated heart rate, depression, and substance craving.

Steroids

Persons who misuse steroids will exhibit withdrawal symptoms during detox. The symptoms include restlessness, anxiety, intense fatigue, nausea, headaches, reduced sex drive, loss of appetite, depression, difficulty concentrating, insomnia, joint pain, physical weakness, abdominal pain, muscle aches, decrease in blood pressure, diarrhea, vomiting, weight loss, and drug cravings.

Alcohol

Persons dependent on alcohol can experience insomnia, poor concentration, anxiety, impaired memory, restlessness, lack of appetite, elevated heart rate, high blood pressure, hand tremor, increased sensitivity to sound and light, sweating, hallucination, delusion, high fever, delirium, and seizures during alcohol detox.

Club Drugs

Club drugs vary, and persons may experience withdrawal symptoms based on the club drug dependence. Generally, most persons dependent on club drugs display confusion, anxiety, irritability, depression, restlessness, nausea, vomiting, runny nose, muscle pain, hypertension, sweating, insomnia, exhaustion, delirium, tremors, hallucination, and drug craving during a club drug detox.

Hallucinogens

Prominent withdrawal symptoms from detox from hallucinogens include anxiety, confusion, depression, agitation, memory problems, impaired reflexes, slurred speech, blurred vision, muscle aches, high blood pressure, elevated heart rate, numbness, seizures, paranoia, hallucination, and suicidal thoughts.

Can You Detox at Home in Utah?

Yes, a person dependent on an addictive substance may detox at home. However, medical professionals in Utah do not endorse detox at home as it is unsafe. Detox at home is the outright termination of the use of addictive substances instead of tapering off them. Also known as quitting cold turkey is the least effective method of recovering from substance dependence. 

Detox triggers withdrawal symptoms which a medical detox in a clinical setting manages for their patients. Therefore, individuals detoxing at home may risk relapse or a medical emergency, as they lack the medication and expertise to manage withdrawal symptoms.

Furthermore, detox at home fails to address any co-occurring medical or mental health issues the individual may have. Therefore, it is safer to detox in an approved drug detox center where medical professionals can recommend the best detox treatment plan and medical care that suits the patient's needs. 

What Is Rapid Detox?

Rapid detox for addiction treatment is the swift removal of addictive substances from individuals within a short time, helping them get through withdrawal symptoms quickly. The treatment center uses sedatives and medication to remove addictive substances from the patient. Rapid detox aims to take a patient from substance dependence to sobriety within a few hours without feeling the discomfort and pain associated with withdrawal symptoms.

Rapid detox is dangerous. It only addresses the removal of addictive substances from the body. It does not address nor treat the physical and mental effects of addiction. Therefore, it is easy for patients who undergo a rapid detox to have a higher risk of relapse. Furthermore, several known adverse effects of rapid detox include irregular cardiac function, renal failure, respiratory failure, aggravation of co-occurring medical conditions, suicidal feelings, delirium, overdose, and coma. In some situations, the patient may continue to experience withdrawal symptoms after rapid detox.

What's more, rapid detox is expensive. Treatment centers charge for the cost of sedatives, hospitalization, intensive care treatment, and supervision. Also, insurance companies consider rapid detox medically unnecessary and do not cover the cost.

Steps after Utah Detox

Drug and alcohol detox is the first step to recovery. After a medical detox in Utah, patients can enroll in the following professional treatment programs to help sustain their sobriety and avoid a relapse. They include:

• Medication-assisted treatment
• Residential treatment programs
• Inpatient or partial hospitalization program
• Intensive outpatient program (IOP)
• Outpatient treatment program
• Sober living program

Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)

Some addiction treatment centers use medication, counseling, and therapy to treat patients after a successful detox to sustain recovery. The treatment center conducts a comprehensive assessment of the patient to determine the best treatment suitable for the patient. The goal of MAT is to ensure the patient's complete recovery, including decreasing substance dependency, preventing overdose, and promoting substance-free living.

Residential Treatment Programs

After a successful drug and alcohol detox, the patient may transition into a residential treatment program. Patients check into a substance-free environment to receive 24 hours medical care and support. Residential treatment programs equip patients with the activities and programs to maintain sobriety, including relapse prevention training, group therapy, life skill training, counseling sessions, and medication treatment. Residential treatment programs are suitable for persons with severe or multiple substance use disorders.

Inpatient or Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP)

Inpatient treatment programs offer 24 hours treatment, care, and support for substance abuse disorder in a clinical or hospital environment. Patients can live within the facility for the duration of their treatment, helping them focus on sobriety. A partial hospitalization program offers a structured and highly effective treatment where patients can receive treatment daily and return home. 

Both programs offer counseling, medication treatment, individual and group therapy, family therapy, drug screening, case management, educational and life skills training, 12-step programs, and mental health care services. Some facilities in Utah offer nutritional assessment and fitness and wellness classes.

Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)

IOPs provide intense treatment for persons with a substance dependency problem who cannot leave family and work obligations. Persons with a mild to moderate addiction and co-occurring disorder with a substance-free home living environment can opt for IOP treatment after detox. In Utah, most IOPs offer a combination of skill-building, training, peer support, medication management, support group meetings, counseling, and therapy to help the patient maintain their sobriety.

Outpatient Treatment Program

After detox, patients can choose an outpatient program to continue recovery. Similar to IOP but less intensive, the patient receives treatment in an outpatient facility and returns home. Outpatient treatment program offers patients the flexibility of attending to family, work, and school responsibilities while receiving treatment. 

Patients can expect group therapy sessions, support group meetings, life skills training, substance abuse and prevention education, and individual counseling in an outpatient treatment program. Some outpatient treatment programs in Utah offer medical and mental health assistance. Outpatient treatment programs are best suited for persons with stable substance-free home life.

Sober Living Program

Sober living homes provide supportive substance-free accommodation for patients after detox. Sober living homes are peer-run facilities helping residents transition from addiction rehab treatment to self-sufficiency. Sober living programs offer residents structure, accountability, peer support, and routine, aiding them in maintaining sobriety while navigating the real world.

Substance Abuse Treatment Detox Near Me in Utah

It is difficult to quit substance dependence on your own. If you or a loved one struggles with alcohol or drug abuse, you can get the right treatment at a licensed detox center to help you get sober. You can contact the Utah Department of Human Services to get the contact information of certified detox centers close to you. Also, you can locate the best treatment programs close to you using the facility search. The facility search provides the name, license number, status, and address of detox treatment centers close to you. Lastly, you can find a list of organizations that provide recovery resources and support to persons in recovery in Utah.

Again you can contact the Substance Abuse and Mental health Services Administration (SAMHSA) helpline at (800) 662-4357 to get a referral to drug and alcohol detox facilities and support groups close to you. The helpline operates a confidential and toll-free service 24 hours daily. Alternatively, you can use the treatment center locator to access licensed and active rehab treatment centers near you.