Are you (or a loved one) worried about how much you use drugs and alcohol? Maybe you’re concerned you have a substance use disorder. You might feel like you spend too much time thinking about when you’re going to use it and how you’re going to get the drugs. Maybe you’re already at the point where you start feeling terrible when you go too long without a drink or a drug: feeling sick and shaky, unable to think about anything other than making yourself feel better with another dose. Detox centers in Santa Clarita could be the solution that you’re looking for.

Millions of Americans abuse drugs and alcohol and have developed a dependence on drugs. You’re not alone if you have a problem with drugs. Fortunately, millions of Americans have also been able to get clean and sober and lead lives they couldn’t even dream of when they were using. With the right help, you could be one of them too. You don’t have to lead the rest of your life being controlled by an addiction. 

It doesn’t matter what your drug of choice is, whether it’s alcohol or another over-the-counter drug, a prescription medicine, or an illegal substance. There is a way out, even after you’ve built up tolerance and dependence.

While different drugs may affect different neurochemicals in the brain, the general process is the same. Drugs cause your brain to make changes in the way it makes these chemicals (such as endorphins like serotonin and dopamine.) Your brain is very adaptable, and it adapts to the presence of drugs typically by making less of the neurochemicals when it expects drugs to be present.

The more you use, the more you’ll need to use to feel the same feelings, whether you’re trying to get stimulated or numb out or dull pain. The process of building up a tolerance, where you keep needing more, is pretty much the same no matter why you’re using it. But once you’ve been using heavily enough and for long enough, you’ll start to be dependent on the drug.

At that point, your brain has a chemical imbalance when it doesn’t get the drugs frequently. It takes a little while for your brain to adapt to the lack of drugs, and while the brain is out of balance, you experience withdrawal symptoms. That’s when you get the shakes and feel like you want to vomit, and that’s why you feel better when you take another dose: it puts your brain back in balance.

These withdrawal symptoms may have prevented you from getting clean in the past. The withdrawal symptoms became so painful and uncomfortable that you had to relieve the discomfort by using it again. You’re definitely not alone if you’ve had this experience. And you may be wondering how it’s even possible to get clean when you don’t think you can take the withdrawal.

Fortunately, you don’t have to have superhuman strength or iron willpower to get through your initial withdrawal from drugs and alcohol. You can do what many of the others who got clean and sober did: get help with a supervised detox process. You may need medication to help you manage the withdrawal symptoms. There are several types of drugs where getting clean all at once (“cold turkey”) can be too dangerous to your health for you to attempt. If you need to gradually taper off the drugs so that you can finally get clean, a detox center will help you do that as well.

If you or a loved one is suffering from any form of addiction or abuse, please call Sylvan Detox at (818) 308-3099.

How is a Detox Center Different from a Rehab?

Detoxification, or getting rid of, the drugs and alcohol in your system is the beginning step in your journey of recovery. You can’t start to understand the reasons behind your addiction and learn the healthy habits and routines that will help you stay sober if you’re still on the drug. The first thing that has to happen is that the toxins are removed from your system. After that, you can start treatment at rehab.

When you get to detox, they’ll usually assess your health (physically and mentally) and take some blood or other types of medical tests to see what’s happening. They’ll determine whether you need medication to manage your symptoms and whether you should be gradually tapering off the drug or if it’s okay for you to stop entirely.

It’s pretty common for drug and alcohol users to arrive at detox centers in Santa Clarita underweight and dehydrated. When you get to the point that drugs and alcohol are running your life, you’re probably not taking care of yourself. At detox, you may have some fluids given by IV that will rehydrate and nourish you while you’re detoxing. 

The symptoms vary a bit depending on the drug you’re on and your history with it, and the timeframe also varies with factors like age, genetics, and your use history. But for the most part, the worst symptoms will be over in a few days and you’ll be able to move on to the next step in your journey in a week or ten days. 

Usually, the first withdrawal symptoms appear within the first 24 hours of your last dose. Depending on the drug and the level of your dependence, some may arrive in just a few hours and others may take a bit longer. After the early stage for most drugs comes “peak withdrawal”, with symptoms that could be intensely painful if you weren’t in a supervised detox. This stage is when most relapses occur because without help it’s hard to withstand the discomfort. Symptoms often vary between mild, moderate, and severe with no rhyme or reason.

After peak withdrawal, the symptoms usually taper off. Some substances may lead to intense cravings even after the peak withdrawal stage.

Detox centers help you with this process. Medical staff is there when it gets hard so you don’t have to go back out there and relapse on your drug of choice just to feel better. You have support by your side, which can mean the difference between getting clean and staying out in the wilderness with drugs and alcohol.

After you’ve transitioned out of detox, you can then go to rehab. That’s where you’ll do the real work of understanding the nature of your substance use disorder and learning how to cope with life without the substances. You’ll learn to face your fears and the feelings that you’ve been escaping through drugs. But you don’t have to go through life white-knuckling it – it’s not just about avoiding drugs. Instead, rehab gives you the tools you need to manage your stress, communicate in healthy ways, and find things that you enjoy doing. When you have activities, habits, and routines that you can rely on, staying clean isn’t as hard. You can take everything that you learn in rehab when you transition back to the real world and all its complexities.

What Treatments are Offered at Detox Centers?

Many detox centers are attached to rehabs to make it easy for you to “graduate” from detox and then start your treatment. Recovery centers will also treat your co-occurring mental health disorder if you have a dual diagnosis. It’s common for those with substance use disorders to also experience mental health issues such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder, ADHD, anxiety, and depression.

If you don’t already have a mental health diagnosis, don’t be surprised if it comes up in rehab. Both mental health and addiction issues need treatment at the same time because each one amplifies the negative effects of the other.  However, you do need to detox from the drugs first before you can treat the co-occurring disorder.

There are a variety of treatments available at rehabs, especially those connected to detox centers in Santa Clarita. A combination of both group and individual therapy is available because you’ll probably need some one-on-one counseling time to work on issues and problems that are specific to your situation. But when it comes to addiction and mental health, group therapy can also be very effective. You’ll see that you’re not alone, and you’ll be able to get support and give support to others who are going through the same substance abuse issues that you are.

Family therapy is also critical for long-term sobriety. Many people with addiction problems don’t realize how their using has affected their families, even if they haven’t lived with any family members for a while. This type of therapy also helps the family understand what parts they’ve played in the disorder, and how they can best support themselves and you in your recovery. You’ll all learn to communicate better, and potentially talk about things that have previously been taboo in your family.

Many substance abusers have experienced trauma, whether in their childhood or as an adult. Trauma-informed therapy is conducted by trained staff who can help you face and work through the trauma so you can heal without retraumatizing you. 

There are evidence-based therapies that research (and experience) show to be very effective with substance use disorders as well as some co-occurring disorders. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps you recognize when you’re making errors in thinking, and how to reframe them more positively so that you can avoid using them again. Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) is similar but focuses on your feelings instead of your thinking. You’ll learn when your feelings are warping reality, and how you can bring yourself back in focus.

Finally, there are additional holistic therapies that can help you learn to deal with stress better – without resorting to drugs and alcohol. These can include activities like yoga, breathwork therapy, saltwater therapy, sound therapy, massage, and focusing on spirituality. 

13 Things to Consider When Choosing a Detox Center in Santa Clarita

While many detox centers offer similar treatments and amenities, there are a few questions you should ask yourself when deciding if one is right for you.

  1. Do I have access to a medically assisted detox with 24/7 care?

This is the first step in your journey, and you want it to be as safe and comfortable as possible. A supervised detox can support you if your withdrawal symptoms suddenly become severe, and if you need to gradually taper off your drug of choice.

  1. Do they provide evidence-based therapy?

While you may see other potential therapies that don’t have data or research behind them yet, some have been shown to work over and over again. This is not the time to try something that’s never been done before or hasn’t already been proven to work. 

  1. Will the facilities provided make me feel secure and comfortable?

It’s hard to focus on your sobriety when you don’t feel safe emotionally or physically. Similarly, suppose you’re feeling uncomfortable for any reason other than your withdrawal symptoms. In that case, you’ll have a harder time concentrating on the things that you need to learn to be successful outside rehab. 

  1. Do they have a caring staff that is dedicated to my sobriety?

The last thing you want or need is to feel blamed or shamed about your substance use disorder. That attitude won’t help you get clean and sober. Instead, staff that genuinely cares and wants you to get and stay clean will help you the most.

  1. Will they help me plan aftercare so I know I have support when I leave?

Although detox and rehab are very important steps on your sobriety journey, at some point you do need to leave the safety and comfort and return to “real life”. You may need to go to sober living for a while to help you solidify your sobriety foundations. It’s important to start planning for how you’ll stay clean while in rehab so that you can benefit from the expertise of staff and peers who can support you and show you where to find support afterward.

  1. Does the detox center offer life skills and ways to prevent relapse?

Trying to get through life by avoiding drugs is hard if you don’t have a way to fill the void. When life throws something at you that you don’t know how to handle or that seems too difficult, you’ll be right back into your addiction. Learning how to cope with things healthily, and developing tools that assist in relapse prevention, is how you’ll stay clean and sober.

  1. Is there food available when I’m hungry or do I have to wait for mealtimes?

Some facilities discourage snacking. However, getting too hungry (along with angry, lonely, and tired) is a known trigger for relapse. Going to treatment where you can eat whenever you need to helps support you in your sobriety.

  1. Will they take my insurance coverage?

Most major health insurance companies cover mental health treatment, which includes addiction treatment. You’ll need a facility that accepts your insurance to cover your stay.

  1. Are there sports or fitness facilities there?

Exercise and being active help keep you energized and positive. Not only is movement good for your physical health, but for your emotional health too. Make sure the recovery center has decent fitness features for you to take advantage of.

  1. Do I have access to alternative therapies such as yoga, sound therapy, and massage?

By themselves, alternative therapies won’t get you clean. But they can help you destress and learn to manage stress when it crops up. Sometimes a little time to take care of yourself helps you feel more positive about sobriety as well.

  1. Are the facilities luxurious and comfortable or more bare-bones?

While it’s certainly possible to get sober in a rehab that’s austere and doesn’t have many amenities, many people find more luxurious facilities easier to deal with. Then you don’t have added stress from your environment and can focus on your recovery.

  1. Can I relax with TV, games, or books?

Recovery can be pretty intense at times! You’ll need to rewind and recharge, so look for a treatment facility that features TV, books, and games so you can relax and do something fun when you need to.

  1. If I have food allergies, sensitivities, or dietary needs, will they be able to help me?

Not all rehabs can accommodate dietary needs for a variety of reasons. Some may work with allergies but not sensitivities. If you have some foods that you’re sensitive to, you’ll need a place that will accept your needs.

Get the Best Help with Detox at Sylvan Detox

Are you ready to live the life you’ve been dreaming of without drugs and alcohol dragging you down? If you’re worried about the process of detoxing, Sylvan Detox may be the right solution for you. We medically supervise your detox (if necessary) with doctors and nurses available 24/7 to support you. Our caring staff specializes in helping those with substance use disorders get clean and stay clean.

Our luxurious facilities will help you stay comfortable as you learn life management skills and healthy habits and routines you can take with you after you leave. Our private chef can take your food sensitivities into account, and you’ll be able to grab a snack any time you want one. You can destress with massage, yoga, sound therapy, and other alternative healing modalities. We accept major insurance carriers. Sylvan Detox is ready to help you start the sober life that you deserve, so don’t wait any longer to get help for your addiction.