The word detox has been thrown around the media quite a bit in recent years, but most people don’t really know what it means or what they should expect from the experience. In fact, there are lots of misconceptions about drug detox programs. Here are five common myths about drug detox and the facts behind them to help you prepare for your upcoming detox treatment.
How Long Will My Drug Detox Take?
A drug detox is a process that aims to help patients break addictions by clearing their bodies of drugs and drug-related toxins. The actual length of time it takes for a patient’s body to be cleansed depends on how often they used drugs, which drugs they used, and any other health problems they have. In general, though, most experts agree that breaking an addiction isn’t an overnight process—it can take weeks or even months for drugs or drug-related toxins to leave your system completely.
How Much Does It Cost?
The initial cost of drug detox treatment may depend on several factors. Whether you’re covered by health insurance or not, for example, can impact your expenses. A private facility may be more expensive than a government-run hospital or clinic, while an inpatient program with 24-hour monitoring is likely to cost more than outpatient treatment. On average, expect to pay anywhere from $600-$3,000 per week for inpatient care depending on your insurance coverage and if you are on Medicaid or Medicare.
Where Should I Go?
The first thing you should do when starting your detox is ask your doctor or a qualified medical professional for advice. They’ll be able to tell you where your local drug detox facilities are located, and which ones will work best for you. You can also search online for listings of drug rehab centers. Of course, choosing where you want to go before completing your detox is helpful—but it’s not crucial if there’s an emergency.
What About Insurance Coverage?
Because most health insurance plans do not provide coverage for inpatient drug detox, many Americans struggle with finding affordable treatment. But don’t give up—though you may need to seek out financial assistance. Community clinics and hospitals offer free or low-cost rehab programs that can often be covered by private and public health care insurance programs, such as Medicaid and Medicare. Many state governments also offer grants and assistance programs for individuals seeking treatment.
Am I Going to Feel Sick During My Drug Detox?
Many people who are coming off of drugs such as a cocaine addiction or meth may be worried about how they will feel during their detox. They may think that they will feel sick for an extended period of time and suffer through multiple bouts of vomiting and diarrhea. However, there is not much reason to worry because most drug detoxes do not involve these symptoms. Instead, most detoxes involve little or no nausea and minor flu-like symptoms at worst. There is also usually very little vomiting involved in drug detoxing as well.
Alexander James