Your Questions Answered
What Happens During Detox?
When you first arrive at the treatment facility, you will go through an intake process. You will be assigned a AOD Clinician who will work with you on your treatment, goals and outcomes. During this process, you will be asked questions on your substance abuse history and prior use. It is important to answer all questions as honestly and completely as possible in order to receive the best care. Our Consulting Doctor and our AOD Clinician will help devise a treatment plan that is specific to your individual needs.
Once you have settled into the facility, you will receive a complete physical exam to identify any underlying conditions that should be treated during your stay at The Turning Point. For example, malnutrition and dehydration are common among people addicted to drugs and alcohol, so these issues will be addressed during treatment.
Detoxing from alcohol, opiates, and other drugs can take anywhere from 7 days to 12 months, depending on your general level of health, the severity of the addiction, and other factors such as whether or not you suffer from polysubstance abuse. In some instances – such as with alcohol and opioid addictions – you may be given medications to help you deal with the withdrawal symptoms and to help lessen your cravings.
When is detox necessary?
A person who has developed a substance abuse issue with alcohol or drugs that includes a physical dependence will find it very challenging to stop drinking or using on his or her own. The combination of feeling physically ill, withdrawal symptoms and cravings to start drinking or using again mean that few chemically dependent people are able to successfully stop drinking for more than a couple of days at once. The beginning of the process is the most challenging. Our detox treatment program provides a safe environment, medical care and psychological support during this critical time.
Moderate to Severe Dependency Requires Detox
Someone who has been drinking for a number of years or who has a history of heavy drinking (even if it hasn’t been years) will an assisted detox, as opposed to trying to stop drinking or using on his or her own. The withdrawal symptoms for someone in that situation have the potential to cause dangerous and significant complications for some people, and the process should be performed under professional, medical supervision.
Withdrawal symptoms from addiction may include the following:
· Tremors or “the shakes"
· Excessive sweating
· Nausea and vomiting
· Irritability
· Stomach cramps
· Headaches
· Nervousness
· Paranoia
· Intense mood swings
· Nightmares
· Loss of appetite
How long does the detoxification process take?
The exact answer depends on the type and amount of a drug being used so our consulting doctor will determine the best course of action on a case by case basis. A person's age and health condition also plays a role.
As a general guide, the average length of stay is can be anywhere between 7 to14 days. This is a general guide, so please contact The Turning Point directly to learn more about what your specific needs will be.
Why is residential detoxification necessary?
Many people have tried stopping on their own, yet time and time again they realise that it is almost impossible. By offering a safe place to stay for you where you are guided and monitored proves to give a better success rate and offer an easier process. We also understand the devastating destruction of the disease of addiction - "no amount of human willpower can relieve our addiction" and we know that you cannot do it alone.
Stopping drinking or drug use can be potentially hazardous. Specific risks for alcohol and drugs include seizure and DT’s. For those who have medical issues, it can also pose a high medical risk. Residential detox provides a safe, supervised process to help transition you into the next phase of your treatment.
Why supervised detoxification?
Most drug and all alcohol addictions require a phase of detoxification at the start of the rehabilitation process. This stage of detox is designed to remove all traces of drugs and alcohol from the body. In some cases, maintenance medication may be given to ease the withdrawal symptoms associated with certain drugs, including opiate prescription drugs and heroin.
The severity of the detox process varies according to:
The individual's unique body composition and metabolism.
The particular drug and dosage that was being used.
How long the drug has been taken.
If there are any other addictions involved.
Detoxification is generally a safe process when undergone in a supervised medical setting. Since detox for certain individuals and substances can be potentially very severe and in some cases, deadly it's not advised for individuals to detox on their own at home.
Withdrawal
When a person takes a drug, or consumes alcohol regularly, the body becomes accustomed to having certain levels of the substance in it. Once the substance is removed, the body may begin to experience withdrawal symptoms. Depending on the substance used, withdrawal symptoms can even start to appear within a couple hours, though they usually tend to appear within the first 24 hours after the last drug dose.
Withdrawal symptoms may vary, depending on the drug used. Some typical withdrawal symptoms, however, may include problems with:
· Extreme depression.
· Concentration.
· Decreased appetite.
· Severe fatigue.
· Agitation.
· Runny nose.
· Inability to sleep.
· Sweating.
· Nausea.
· Cramping.
· Diarrhoea.
· Trembling or shaking.
· Rapid heart rate.
· Troubled breathing.
· Headaches.
· Muscle tension and pain.
· Seizures.
· Stroke.
· Hallucinations.
· Heart attack.
Will I be able to smoke?
Yes. In designated areas.
Do you want to quit smoking?
We offer a smoking cessation program for those wanting to stop smoking.
What happens after my detox is complete?
Determining exactly what form of treatment is best for the individual who is suffering from addiction is of primary importance if treatment is to be successful. On a case-by-case basis, we will work with each guest to select the appropriate form of treatment, length of stay and suitable aftercare treatment and support following the detox.
Why should I choose The Turning Point for my treatment?
Simple - because integrity, collaboration, commitment and hope are our four core values central to everything we do at The Turning Point. We care about you and your freedom from addiction.
We chose the name because acceptance and surrendor is the “Turning Point” in the addicts life.
What sets us apart at The Turning Point is our centre is managed by individuals themselves in recovery who are passionate about making a difference to those still suffering from the disease of addiction. Freeing people from addiction is what drives them each and every day.
The setting is warm, caring and private. Our team genuinely care about your success in leading a life of total abstinence from drugs & alcohol. Your confidentiality and dignity will be respected every step of the way. Our staff have been trained by the best to be the best. Add compassion and empathy to expertness, and the results are encouraging.
It all starts when...
You are sick and tired of being sick and tired.
If you have reached the point that we did, then you are ready to take the next step.
You are not alone anymore, let us show you how we recovered.
There is a great life awaiting you free from drugs & alcohol.
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We will walk this journey with you...